2010-11 Season Review: Eric Godard

by FrankD on Jun 21, 2011 8:00 AM EDT

There isn't much to be said of Eric Godard that hasn't been addressed already in comments here on Pensburgh. In all likelihood, Godard will not be returning to Pittsburgh next season. It's not so much a matter of expense as it is getting more bang for the buck. Why settle on a one-dimensional enforcer when the team can employ the likes of a maturing defenseman like Deryk Engelland or a third/fourth-liner like Mike Rupp to do the same thing?

Godard has a total of 18 points in 335 career games. If you didn't know his role by now than that, along with his 833 career penalty minutes, should be all you need to know.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter where you stand with regards to fighting or general goonery when it comes to a player standing up for his goalie. At times that can be as simple as a check or shoulder shrug to a guy who gets a little too close to the crease. Other times, it requires a jump over the boards, a race down the ice and a full-on beatdown to a guy who just doesn't know when to stop. You know, like Godard did in the game against the Islanders on Feb. 11.

Not surprisingly, Godard was handed a 10-game suspension for that incident. Odds are you'd have a hard time finding a single person in that locker room who wasn't patting him on the back for his actions. If I had to take a guess I'd say the team even offered to help pay for the suspension with a little money from Marc-Andre Fleury's swear jar (I'm not entirely sure if this exists or not. Just go with it).

Despite averaging nearly 5.5 penalty minutes per game (for a total of 105), Godard finished fourth overall on the team in PIM. He was however the only player in the Penguins' "100 PIM or More Club" to average over five per game. So that has to count for something. Somewhere.

What more can you say about Godard? You could probably copy and paste this season review into another template next season and just replace "Penguins" with whatever team he lands on next year, should he actually part ways this offseason.

Thanks for the memories big man. The attack on Haley will not be forgotten.

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I’ll miss him, as I’m sure his team-mates and the many citizens of Pittsburgh who benefited from his community work will. But, I don’t see him back. Too bad. Great guy who did his job well but whose role is no longer required.

by SuMac on Jun 21, 2011 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

I can’t remember where I read it, but I did see where Shero confirmed that Godard would not be back. Wish I would remember where I saw it…it was a Pittsburgh newspaper I believe..

by xaryss on Jun 21, 2011 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

I remember reading something too about players who will not be returning. To the best of my knowledge Shero came right out and said Kovalev would not be returning, but he also mentioned one other play (escapes me right now too). Might’ve been Godard, but since I’m not 100 percent I just went with the 99.9% chance he’s not coming back.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page

by FrankD on Jun 21, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Kovalev and Comrie were the 2 Shero mentioned. I guess that leaves the possibility for Godard, though I really doubt he comes back unless it would be one 2-way deal which I just don’t see.

by StripesForLife on Jun 21, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I know the first two were Comrie and Kovalev. I tried to look it up and I think it was Molinari who reported that Godard will not be re-signed in his PG+ blog.

by xaryss on Jun 21, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

My understanding is that he will test the market, which to me means that they have had some conversation and the plan isn’t to keep him

by SuMac on Jun 21, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Farewell, Godzilla!

Godard did a great job as sheriff in these parts, and I thank him for it. And as much appreciates as his on ice efforts were, I am sure he will be remembered for his contribution to the community, which seemed to be in abundance. Good luck in the future, Eric!

Unfortunately this move has to be one, its just the reality of the game nowadays.

by LastSonOfKrypton on Jun 21, 2011 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

sigh...

…there was something really exciting when you see Godard touch the puck in the offensive zone… even more so when close to the crease… it got you thinking: “wow, maybe some puck will bounce off him and into the net! Man, wouldn’t that be one of the loudest cheers of the season?”

Great guy! Hope he manages to find another team.

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Jun 21, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

Frank

You accidentally wrote an article not on Jaromir Jagr today.

by AronV on Jun 21, 2011 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I have failed the world.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page

by FrankD on Jun 21, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

lmao

by LastSonOfKrypton on Jun 21, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Sharp dressed man.

It’s on you PAYD.

Is it October yet?

by Lindas1st on Jun 21, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

best in class

Godard was great at his job. I can’t remember which game it was, but he got pretty roughed up in a fight and his eye had swollen shut. That didn’t stop him from taking the ice later in the game and trying to goad another player into a re-match. I also recall one game this season where someone took a run at Sid. Godard took the ice with Sid on his next shift, and Godard went nuts on the guy, rubbed his face into the ice, and bloodied him up quite a bit. As he was getting to his feet, blood running down his face, Bob Errey proclaimed: “And that’s what happens when you take a run at Sidney Crosby.” So, a million thanks to Godard (and Bobby) for sending that message loud and clear to the league. My only reservation about Godard not re-signing is that our new enforcer (whoever that may be), though probably more gifted offensively, may not completely fill those shoes. There’s something to be said for having an enforcer, versus having a fourth line player willing to drop the mitts.

Teams rely on players like Godard, and I think the Penguins and Pittsburgh will be sad to see him go.

by TheGasMan on Jun 21, 2011 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

I remember that game as well when Goddard was roughed up. For some reason I want to say it was against either a Canadian team or a Western Conference team. How’s that for random recollections? He came out looking for round two for redemption and the fight was stopped before it started. Goddard looked pissed because he lost round one.

"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange

by gorgalor on Jun 21, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you are talking about Pitts vs Ottawa (in Ottawa) back in December. I was there and he got beat pretty bad! Carkner I believe it was!

by MrChadysPens on Jun 21, 2011 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, Carkner w/ the W

by Diomedes7 on Jun 22, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Goddard to NYR?

I’m guessing the Rangers are probably looking for a pair of fists in the lineup. Just a thought…

"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange

by gorgalor on Jun 21, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

The Rangers have many other needs.

by StripesForLife on Jun 21, 2011 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

And concerns. Did you read about Drury’s knee? They may not be able to buy him out even if they wanted to. He’s likely going to miss part or all of the season with a knee injury. If that’s the case, they have to increase cap space. They’d have to take on another $7 mill in contracts to put him on the LTIR. It seems highly unlikely.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page

by FrankD on Jun 21, 2011 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions