Gonchar UFA Saga
by #87isGOD on Jun 2, 2010 2:25 AM EDT
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TSN is reporting that Nicklas Lidstrom is taking a 1.4 million dollar pay cut to stay with the Red Wings for one more year. This got me thinking. If Lidstom, arguably the best NHL defenseman to ever play the game, gives his team a home town discount, then I see no reason Sergei Gonchar can't do the same.
Do you wanna play for the Penguins? Well, you have to fit into THEIR budget (in a way that let's them ice a competitive team). Sure you could argue that Lidstrom has made more money in his career and that The Gonchars enjoy Florida but it's not like Gonch has been underpaid throughout his career and would YOU wanna play for the Panthers right now? All these points are rendered moot when you consider that it's a reciprocal courtship (he wants to stay and the Pens prefer to keep him) because if Gonchar does bolt this summer to some greener pastures, it will as a result of GREED and nothing else.
In conclusion, I guess what I'm saying is that I do want Sergei Gonchar back next year but at the PENS PRICE, not his. If that's not possible then; thanks for everyhting Mr. Gonchar and good luck . Wouldn't you agree?
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Lidstrom’s been with the Red Wings since 1992. He’s their captain and the center piece of their team. Gonchar has been with the Penguins since 2005. He’s a very key player, an alternate captain, but certainly not “the guy”.
See the difference?
I wouldn’t call Gonchar greedy if he chooses more money somewhere else. He only has a few years left to play hockey and make money off of it. Has he made a boatload over his career? Sure. Would it be great if he’d take less to remain a Penguin? Absolutely.
But if he chooses to maximize his earnings, you really can’t fault him. He laid it all out for the Penguins, including playing last playoffs on a torn MCL after the Ovechkin hit. Gonchar’s earned the right to free agency and deciding what he does next.
He shouldn’t come back at the Pens price, he should come back at a fair price. It appears the Penguins have spent a lot of their cap dollars on a guy like Letang, which you can’t blame the team, he’s a young player and big part of the future. The Pens have likely spent themselves out of Gonchar’s range, and that’s their choice. It doesn’t make him the bad guy, doesn’t make the team bad, it’s just the way it works sometimes.
by Hooks Orpik on Jun 2, 2010 9:04 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Exactly. The team had to plan for a life beyond Gonchar, much in the way that they pretty much didn’t plan around Hossa’s possible departure. Now Letang’s getting paid and Gonchar will likely be left out unless he willingly takes a pay cut.
But if he doesn’t limit himself like that, it doesn’t have to be borne of greed. I see nothing wrong with maximizing one’s earnings so long as you aren’t actively screwing people over in the process.
by JustinM on Jun 2, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Could not have said it any better!
Yes, don’t get me wrong, but it sure would be nice for Gonchar to take a discount but I just don’t see it happening. I will wish him well. As long as he does NOT end up in Philly or Washington. I am thinking NY with the Rangers. I’m not sure what their cap situation is, but they always seem to take our guys. Rozi, Nedved…just to name a few.
by Wags24 on Jun 2, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
So, what is the price to bring Gonchar back?
To me, it’s $3M max. I’m likely wrong in my view that he was the weakest Dman last year defensively, given what Shero has said (though from what I’ve seen of Shero he’s too classy to say otherwise publically). And Gonch at $3M means either Eaton or Leopold, not both. The power play sucked most of last year with Gonch, it can suck as much without him.
Actually, the powerplay was horrible wuith out him and average with him, the truly horrible o for 33 stretch happended with Sarge injured etc, also crosby’s scoring slump coincided with his absence from the line up, imo a good puckmover on defense is more important to crosby then Geno, it’s no coincidence that Mario’s scoring (for example) really exploded when coffey came to the Pens.
I’m not sold that gonch is “over the hill”, He almost scored at a ppg pace last year so to me he’s still got it.
There is a knack to flying: it's learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.
by Sid the captain on Jun 2, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s not over-the-hill offensively, but I’m not sure he still has the wits to be a first pairing defensemen.
Pittsburgh sports all the way
Gonchar is great for the power play. The percentage when he plays in the past two seasons is about 20%, when he doesn’t it’s close to 10%. He’s missed so much time this can not be a concidence. This is because Gonchar’s one of two options to rush the puck up the ice and gain the zone (Malkin being the other) and since the Pens don’t dump/chase, the puck is going to come to him while others set up and he directs the point of attack or dishes it off to Crosby/Malkin who do the same from the half-wall. (Being this close to the action is why he still gets a ton of PP points).
I think the problem is Gonchar’s no longer a 25-27 minute defenseman overall, despite still getting played like that. Since the Ovechkin hit I don’t think I’ve seen Gonch appear to really skate fast/hard. Not sure if he doesn’t have the wheels or is just using veteran saavy (Pronger doesn’t really skate hard too much either) but I’ve noticed Gonchar’s skating go down in the past year, and given his age/injuries, it’s only going to continue to slip.
I think Gonchar would be ideal if he could be signed for about $3-$4 million, I’d even give him two years since he’s an important member of the team on and off the ice. I would try to play him about 20 minutes and increase Letang/Goligoski at even strength AND on the power-play. #55 usually plays the full two minutes, but unless the game’s on the line, I’d break things out more evenly.
The question is, will he accept $3-4 million on just two years? His value on the open market could be higher. Also could the Pens really afford $4 million and would they actually not over-use him?
All big questions.
by Hooks Orpik on Jun 2, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Solid stuff Hooks.
I would like to see a 2 year, $6 million dollar contract for Gonchar. I think that price is fair for both parties, as the Penguins aren’t burdened with the contract of an aging defensemen, and Gonchar still gets good money for being a great powerplay quarterback.
Another factor to consider is who Gonchar will be paired with next year. Orpik is our shutdown guy, and he’ll be getting 25 min of ice time a game, as he should. If he’s Gonchar’s partner, I don’t see Sarge’s time going down.
Pittsburgh sports all the way
Yes, excellent job Hooks. I agree with all that you have said. I would like to see Sarge back but for no more than $3.25/yr with a max of two years. I think this team can still do well without him but it will take some very smart moves this offseason which I know RS is capable of.
I would hope Gonch also realizes that he stands to have the best experience if he remains with Pittsburgh. He’s our pp quarterback and serves as a mentor to one of the best players in the world. Fans love him here and we’re Cup contenders. No other team can provide him with those realities.
I know money is always a concern, but I would hope he makes the sacrifices I’m sure Shero wouldn’t hesitate to make.
Pittsburgh sports all the way
Gonch and FLA
Gonch owns a big house in Fl. as well as having numerous investments in Fl. So , that’s probably the only driving thing behind the Panthers talk. Certainly not the team and their pathetic (non existent fan base). Family and property.
I think it would be awesome to get Sarge back if he were willing to take a discount, and if Shero would offer him a longer contract. maybe a 3 year deal for 10.5 million, that seems to be fair to me, and it provides the Pens there PP quarterback for another 3 years.
If we did sign him, DB should look at pairing Sarge as a 2nd pairing D man and give the young guys the added icetime and responsibility
gonch is a good guy
Gonch has said over and over again that he loves playing for the Pens and he hopes they can come to terms for him to stay. He also said that he knows he only has a couple of good playing years left and he has to do whats best for his family. You can’t blame a guy for wanting to make his retirement secure for his wife and children. I think we all would do that. Hopefully his agent and shero can come to terms,if not, gonch has been great for the Pens,he’s taught the younger guys alot.
Gamma_Connie
lot of good comments here. and great opener by Hooks.
i am worried about Gonch for a few reasons: since Ovechkin’s blatant cheap shot to his knee he’s not been the same, any multi-year deal is a big risk for the Pens b/c he’s over 35, and i think he could get $6 per year — instead of for TWO years — on the open market, so I don’t the two parties are even in the same zip code.
that said, there does seem to be genuine interest on the part of both parties, and if they can work something out that they are both happy with, as a fan, i’d be psyched.
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