Gonchar to hit the open market

Gonchar to hit the open market

2:11pm - Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 by DePaoli

Lack of developments over the past 48 hours have pointed to Sergei Gonchar hitting the open market on July 1 and with less than 24 hours before free agency begins, that will be the case.

J.P. Barry the agent for Sergei Gonchar tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports that No new talks of "substance" have taken place today with Pens GM Ray Shero.

When asked by Inside Pittsburgh Sports, if he {Barry} expects Gonchar to enter the free agent market, Barry said, "Yes".

Meanwhile, an interesting development is that Gonchar's camp appears somewhat open to accepting a trade of his rights, if the Penguins approach them and it's the right opportunity.

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Comments

mwalluk

trade em

06/30/2010 2:12pm

gambler77

At least get the 3rd round pick back that they gave up for Hamhuis

06/30/2010 2:14pm

fatman00

It prob too late to trade his rights for anything f value

06/30/2010 2:15pm

jpaha

u won't get a 3rd round pick for less than 24 hours of negotiating rights. I don't think u would even be able to get a 5th rounder

06/30/2010 2:16pm

mwalluk

swap rights with someone else?

06/30/2010 2:18pm

mwalluk

D - any new developments on hamhuis!!!!!!!

06/30/2010 2:18pm

rblaze38

Get Volchenkov or Michalek's rights for him

06/30/2010 2:19pm

rs6363

Ugh. Thanks for 5 good years sarge

06/30/2010 2:21pm

rs6363

Wasn't jersey a team rumored to want him? Swap him for martin

06/30/2010 2:22pm

jeffed

3rd round pick for less than 24 hours of negotiating rihgts.. hhahaha

06/30/2010 2:22pm

dirtmccurt

His rights are worthless, its just a move from his camp to see if Pittsburgh is really committed to keeping him around

06/30/2010 2:22pm

jeffed

And Alex Goligoski is now your power play QB... you think the PP was bad this year, you are in for a WORLD OF HURT NEXT YEAR.

06/30/2010 2:24pm

Jeff2266

ya dirt that could be right, wouldnt close the door jsut yet

06/30/2010 2:24pm

jeffed

Prediction, they will give up the most short handed goals in the league and Gogo won't get pulled off the line under any circumstance.

06/30/2010 2:24pm

froods

Im sorry Martin is no Gonchar

06/30/2010 2:27pm

bohn

I hated on Gogo this year as much as anyone. He was pathetic in the playoffs, but Letang made big strides after his first full season. I'm hopeful Gogo will too.

06/30/2010 2:27pm

wmr5000

Jeffed... do you remember Gonchar's first season with the Pens? He was putrid. I'm willing to give the team a shot without him and let Gogo grow through it.

06/30/2010 2:27pm

dirtmccurt

I mean think about it guys, what can you do in under 24 hours? If you want Gonchar back (which I hope most of you do), you keep his rights and you continue negotiating. The risk of losing him to FA in trying to resign him is well worth the 5-7th pick we might get for his rights

06/30/2010 2:27pm

froods

Shero is screwing up IMO

06/30/2010 2:27pm

jeffed

Gonchar's first season with the team wasn't with the talent that is there now.

06/30/2010 2:28pm

wmr5000

I'd rather take my chances with a 24 year old growing through some mistakes than a 36 year old declining before our very eyes.

06/30/2010 2:28pm

j_s15226

Prediction: GoGo puts up 40 points and PP stays in top 20.

06/30/2010 2:28pm

dirtmccurt

What is he screwing up froods?

06/30/2010 2:28pm

jeffed

Continue to negotiate? They haven't for days, nothing has changed, it probalby won't in the next 20 hours.

06/30/2010 2:28pm

Jeff2266

I put up a a pic of my boy gogo hitting alffreddson for everyone, thought it would play well

06/30/2010 2:29pm

rs6363

Never said Martin is gonch. There's only one sarge, but Martin is a great D man

06/30/2010 2:29pm

jeffed

the 24 year old declined before our eyes... dramatically. let me hear about his potential though.

06/30/2010 2:29pm

Genomalkin

This is just wonderful.

06/30/2010 2:29pm

froods

3 years 5 million per....he is screwing up

06/30/2010 2:29pm

Jerkhart66

im buying a gogo jersey

06/30/2010 2:29pm

j_s15226

Not the same Talent? Sid, Mario, Palffy, Recchi. Not too shabby there

06/30/2010 2:29pm

zerocool6687

Fuck... I know I have been a proponent of over spending here but the more I think of this club without Sarge on the PP the more it scares me! If it is true he is done with us we had better put all the extra pennies to good use! Fuck!

06/30/2010 2:30pm

jeffed

gogo and hitting are two words that can't be used in the same sentence. Unless if its something about turning the puck over to AVOID getting hit.

06/30/2010 2:30pm

Jeff2266

jeffed Beau Bennett right now isnt top 20 out of the draft, but his potential is

06/30/2010 2:30pm

Jay32600

D is tweeting that they are talking to Leopold today....if he gets resigned Gonchar is gone. Wouldn't mind Leopold in general though, he shouldn't cost too much and as long as he's paired with someone other than Gogo he should be fine.

06/30/2010 2:30pm

wmr5000

Goligoski just needs the confidence to take the shot. With Sid, Geno, Gonchar all on the PP, he just defers to them. This is the year that he relaxes and goes for it.

06/30/2010 2:31pm

froods

Palffy? Holy Crap? Where Am I Right Now?

06/30/2010 2:31pm

eric

3 yr 14.5 is the offer i would give to him.

06/30/2010 2:31pm

jeffed

I'm fine with Bennet, this has nothing to do with him whatsoever. Gogo needs to play well, in a couple months, based on past history, I don't see it.

06/30/2010 2:31pm

jaluco

lol at j_s's prediction. Based on what? The whopping 9% he managed to put up this year on the PP?

06/30/2010 2:31pm

dsig41

Get Leo under contract before tomorrow. Then you can go after a big name on D plus have some wiggle room for offense.

06/30/2010 2:31pm

Jeff2266

jeffed check out the pick punishing blow it was

06/30/2010 2:31pm

j_s15226

Wait, I missed it. Gonch and hitting don't go either. OH WAIT, that's because their both OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN!!!!

06/30/2010 2:31pm

jeffed

Here comes the Leopold and Eaton replacements.

06/30/2010 2:31pm

Jeff2266

just stating the potential means alot

06/30/2010 2:31pm

Genomalkin

@js....That 05-06 team sucks balls no matter how you look at it.

06/30/2010 2:32pm

froods

yes-dsig...yes.....that must happen

06/30/2010 2:32pm

froods

I am still ok with Leo-Hamhuis or Leo-Volchenk or Leo-Michalek

06/30/2010 2:33pm

froods

I am not ok with Leo-Eaton

06/30/2010 2:33pm

jeffed

GONCHAR CAN PLAY OFFENSIVELY THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE. GOGO brings little on either side.

06/30/2010 2:33pm

jeffed

Don't get your hopes up on Hamhuis, I'm sure we'll find out in an hour or so that he's going to FA and he's a gonner.

06/30/2010 2:34pm

rs6363

I'm all for bringing Leo back for 1 year. Preferably for 2M or slightly less

06/30/2010 2:34pm

Jeff2266

thats your opinion i think hes a different player when hes "handed the keys" as opposed to keeping it warm for gonchar to come back

06/30/2010 2:34pm

zerocool6687

Lets give Gogo another shot here guys.. I mean shit in 09 he looked very good did he not. Even early last yr he looked pretty good did he not (he at least offset his defenive issues with production)? What if he rebounds this yr to give us a solid yr. Maybe he worked through the issues that had him suck to high hell for many parts of this season. I'm not about to write him off until we at least see if it was the impressive looking Gogo we seen a couple times or the dreadful one we seen after his injury that is the real deal!

06/30/2010 2:34pm

jeffed

Weren't we hoping for hte same sort of "switch" to come on for Flower last year in the playoffs... that didn't seem to work out either.

06/30/2010 2:34pm

Jeff2266

just look at the picture man hes a force

06/30/2010 2:34pm

Jeff2266

ya that among many other factors didnt happen, team loss last year

06/30/2010 2:35pm

froods

He might be good.....it could even be an all-star some day. He will never NEVER be as good as Gonch..period.

06/30/2010 2:35pm

jeffed

I'd gladly give him a shot if Gonchar was still around, I can't just turn the keys over blindly after watching that nonsense last year.

06/30/2010 2:35pm

Chancebd7

if he rebounds jeffed wont have anything to complain about 24/7

06/30/2010 2:35pm

jeffed

For every one of the pics of him actually initiating contact I can show you 500 of him pussying out of it.

06/30/2010 2:36pm

Jeff2266

alffreddson is still feeling that hit i bet

06/30/2010 2:36pm

eric

trade him to someone and free up the cap to resign gonchar. get it fricking done!

06/30/2010 2:36pm

jeffed

AGain, it's called reality, which is out the door with lots of fans when it comes to their teams.

06/30/2010 2:36pm

rs6363

Agreed zero. Most of us here wanted to keep gonch, but lets not forget gogo has played well at times. He just needs to find a way to bring some consistency. However I'm not comfortable with him as a top 3 or 4 this season

06/30/2010 2:36pm

zerocool6687

Diffrence is MAF has been in the league what 6 or so years with two very impressive seasons under his belt whereas Gogo has growing to do at the NHL level. Granted I understand he is not a 22 yr old but his experience level is somewhat lacking so lets not write him off completely at this point!

06/30/2010 2:37pm

froods

I agree RS....completely

06/30/2010 2:37pm

froods

You can't compare a goalie and a d-man sorry

06/30/2010 2:37pm

j_s15226

Jaluco: Judging from the year Gonch missed basically the whole year and GoGo put up 20 points in 45 games and they finished the year around 17 or 18%

06/30/2010 2:38pm

jeffed

Well Gogo has 3 months to get his game in shape. god help us

06/30/2010 2:38pm

froods

What? Gonch only missed like 15 games

06/30/2010 2:39pm

jeffed

I'm pulling for him but you can only get by on this potential bullshit for so long. I want him to be good, or at least average, but he's got major strides to make before that happens. Lets hope he has that magic switch.

06/30/2010 2:39pm

rs6363

Haha I understand ur pessimism jeffed. Lets hope shero finds us a PP guru for asst coach

06/30/2010 2:40pm

Chancebd7

Good thing you arent in the pens front office Jeffed everyone that has a bad season you would cut him or trade him evenif you scouts tell you he has all the potentail in the world, pens like this kid and i have faith in that. And aslo i wont bitch and moan constantly about something that i cannot control. Gogo will eventually Run the PP wether you like it or not

06/30/2010 2:40pm

zerocool6687

I agree that I have concerns about him jeffed but parts of me recall the kid that came flying out of the gate this yr and was a very pleasant surprise the yr before. I am hoping that is the guy that our management was so high on and not the Whitney Minime we seen most of last yr.

06/30/2010 2:40pm

froods

Oh...And then got sent back to the AHL....remember?

06/30/2010 2:40pm

jeffed

He better find Jesus to run that PP.

06/30/2010 2:40pm

j_s15226

Malkin had a down year, trade him!

06/30/2010 2:40pm

Genomalkin

Hey if you guys are all jumping off a bridge I recommend you don't use the Clemente, theres 17 years worth of Pirates fans there to break your fall.

06/30/2010 2:40pm

jeffed

I don't want to trade Gogo, I don't want him playing top minutes. I would never trade Geno, he's proven he's an elite player.

06/30/2010 2:41pm

j_s15226

@ Froods: Yeah you know the year we were so stacked on D that Whit and Brooksie played Wing? Yup same year

06/30/2010 2:41pm

froods

What about sid running the PP?

06/30/2010 2:41pm

mattyv

gonch aint no jesus

06/30/2010 2:41pm

Jeff2266

Magic switch isnt neccessary just basic player development

06/30/2010 2:41pm

j_s15226

Honestly I like Geno at the point with Letang or a "Leopold" type of player

06/30/2010 2:42pm

froods

Orpik never played wing that year......and Whitney missed half of the year...then got traded.....your mixing years

06/30/2010 2:42pm

zerocool6687

I remember clearly froods but I also recall a line up of Gonchar, Eaton, Orpik, Letang, Scuderi, and Gill as our top 6... he was sent back not because we thought he had to go back but because there was NO ROOM and he had a 2 way contract!

06/30/2010 2:42pm

jeffed

I don't really liek Geno at the point and it won't happen anyway with Gogo around.

06/30/2010 2:42pm

j_s15226

He def did...before MT got canned

06/30/2010 2:43pm

froods

Orpik never got sent to the wing that year....that was 07-08.

06/30/2010 2:43pm

jeffed

To make a leap to average from whatever you want to call the last 3 or 4 months of last year... a magic switch is necessary IMO.

06/30/2010 2:43pm

j_s15226

Why not - because he'd pass it to Gonch--. Oh wait he wouldn't be able to with #55 gone

06/30/2010 2:43pm

djmr66

I like Gonchar...think he was a big reason for our success..but there were 20 teams that were better on the PP that didn't have him. So while him leaving would leave a void on the PP...there ARE other options...and different PP alignments...and different personnel that can win a cup. I don't blame the Pens for not caving ot his high demands. What would you guys all say if he retired this year. The Pens would have to move on....and they will....

06/30/2010 2:44pm

Genomalkin

Is everyone here done bitching yet? We havnt even gotten to FA and by the comments you would think the sky has fallen already.

06/30/2010 2:44pm

j_s15226

Regardless, that D corps was the reason...not his play

06/30/2010 2:44pm

fitt2kill

Just because they go to fa doesn't mean they're are gone...shero usualy let's them hit the market...I was surprised when he reupped cooke before the 1st its not his m o

06/30/2010 2:44pm

froods

Your right...the sky hasn't fallen...but it is dark and cloudy. And a great player is prob not coming back

06/30/2010 2:45pm

fitt2kill

Brooksy hit the market and still signed here

06/30/2010 2:45pm

froods

The team was the 12th seed when Gonch came back and he got sent down

06/30/2010 2:46pm

Genomalkin

I'll complain when all the good defensemen ink elsewhere. Its pointless right now.

06/30/2010 2:46pm

froods

He can't wait this time. They have been talking for 6 months.....it's over. Gonch is gonna get 6 million from someone

06/30/2010 2:47pm

Izzomr

Shero could be left with nothing could be a disaster without one of top 4 defenseman they are not even a playoff team

06/30/2010 2:47pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

I'd still like to see hammy get signed, and leopold talks have picked up so if we get both of them, id b happy.

06/30/2010 2:48pm

zerocool6687

I also recall that frood however do you remember the other significant occurance that took place in and around that same time. The coach that the team had stopped playing for was fired and Bylsma was put behind the bench. You really think it was ALL Gonchar. I am not about to deny his importants but its clear as day many players responded well to the change of coaches!

06/30/2010 2:48pm

djmr66

lol..disaster is a bit of a stretch...it isn't even July 1st yet....

06/30/2010 2:48pm

prj102

why dont the Pens go after Carlo Colaiacovo. He is 27, had a cap hit of 1.28 million last seaon and was productive. 7 goals and 28 assists in 67 games and was a plus 8.

06/30/2010 2:48pm

froods

Like I said though if we sign Leo, Hammy, and Whitney I will be cool with that. I actually think Leo-Hammy would make a great shutdown pair

06/30/2010 2:48pm

Genomalkin

Colaiacovo sucks.

06/30/2010 2:49pm

i agree its not over yet for gonch...this is all part of negotiating with each side trying to get the upper hand. i dont see gonchar wanting to go to a shitty team just to be payed and all the contenders have cap problems as well. i dont think i can contender could offer him that much more and i get the feeling he wants to stay here. would think he would give the pens a chance to match any offer

06/30/2010 2:49pm

Jerkhart66

you would think gonch would have some loyalty considering he went all those years without a Cup and we sign him to five years and he finally gets his Cup. if he's gonna be selfish over .5M then screw him

06/30/2010 2:50pm

froods

No doubt.....it was a lot more then just that.....but it was also a big part of it. And this year when he was out....same thing.

06/30/2010 2:50pm

Jeff2266

ya colaiacovo is no gogo and he gets hurt a ton, id pass

06/30/2010 2:50pm

Genomalkin

The negativity in here is disturbing. We need some beerman!

06/30/2010 2:50pm

froods

How is he being selfish.....he is willing to leave 3 million dollars on the table. He just wants the security to stay in Pittsburgh

06/30/2010 2:51pm

dirtmccurt

At the right price, Kubina would be a good deal. 6'5'', 250lb and a monster shot

06/30/2010 2:51pm

jaluco

Shero is going to manage to have exclusive negotiating rights with 2 of the top 5 free agent defensemen and lose them both. Ha ha!

06/30/2010 2:51pm

Schmidty0818

I hope Leo can match his goal output from last season if they resign him instead of Gonchar. 11 goals aint too shabby. Though it's interesting - I think only one was on the PP.

06/30/2010 2:51pm

Jerkhart66

hammy and gogo a shutdown pair? ha are you kidding me? both D need to be capable of shutting down in order to be a shutdown pair. Gogo's lucky if he gets a sniff of the sweat on a dudes jersey as he blows by him

06/30/2010 2:52pm

Jeff2266

ya i like kubina he got a bad rep because he signed a big contract in Toronto and got bashed unfairly

06/30/2010 2:52pm

froods

The PP without Gonch would for sure be GoGo-Letang. Leo would be on the 2nd unit

06/30/2010 2:52pm

Peluso5192

I'm confused. This team is one year removed from winning a cup and no one wants to play here. New arena cup contender etc. and they all think about the dollars. Not saying they should make their money but cmon!

06/30/2010 2:53pm

froods

Leopold---not Goligoski

06/30/2010 2:54pm

Jay32600

The biggest thing for this FA market for defensemen is to not overpay. There are some very good and quite a few solid defensemen, but many of them will get way more than they should (Sutton/Volchenkov for example). As long as they avoid the badly overpriced guys there are plenty of viable options for upgrading the D.

06/30/2010 2:54pm

djmr66

froods...you don't know that....THEY WILL BRING IN OTHER PLAYERS...I REPEAT....THEY WILL BRING IN OTHER PLAYERS...PLEASE REMAIN CALM AND FEEL FREE TO USE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AT THIS TIME....

06/30/2010 2:54pm

Genomalkin

Peluso....calm the F down. How could you know that when FA hasnt even started yet

06/30/2010 2:55pm

prj102

Colaiacovo has played more games then Gonch the past two years hasnt he? Not sure health is to be questioned. we could get low cost and sign another of the big 4 and leo. Leaves lots of room for winger money

06/30/2010 2:55pm

Genomalkin

You guys are hilarious.

06/30/2010 2:56pm

froods

Shero is doing the same thing to Gonchar as Ryan Malone.....I don't like it

06/30/2010 2:56pm

djmr66

LOVE this time of year...

06/30/2010 2:56pm

froods

howw about the fact that Colaiacovo stinks?

06/30/2010 2:56pm

djmr66

Shero had no way of knowing that Ryan Malone was going to EXPLODE that year as he did. He had been a nice player up to that point. You would have all gone nuts had we signed him for what we did at the time. Sometimes shit just happens people. Timing is everything....

06/30/2010 2:57pm

Peluso5192

Cause you have two of the top two dmen in your pocket right now that won't sign with a cup contending team and more concerned about squeezing another fuckin million out of the organization than winning.

06/30/2010 2:57pm

Jeff2266

check his out his past hes has a boat load of injuries , and if he was half the player gonch is i would let it slide

06/30/2010 2:58pm

djmr66

Their loss Peluso....

06/30/2010 2:58pm

Peluso5192

I didn't say that they would bring anyone in I just saying how can these guys not want to play for a winner.

06/30/2010 2:58pm

pook9221

lets hope things go well. next years crop of fa defensemen is awful

06/30/2010 2:58pm

Genomalkin

How do you know this Peluso? Did you get to sit in on the negotiations?

06/30/2010 2:58pm

froods

He wouldn't have cost us 4.5 prob like 3.5

06/30/2010 2:59pm

Jerkhart66

screw the D, lets just go for wingers and outscore everyone. Winter classic 11-8 Pens

06/30/2010 2:59pm

djmr66

i still think Gonchar ends up getting signed...it is an interesting game of chicken right now...

06/30/2010 2:59pm

jaluco

Nevermind that the "other players" they bring in won't be nearly as effective. Should seem to enter the conversation....but why should we let it?

06/30/2010 3:00pm

froods

I just want Hammy now....all will be ok

06/30/2010 3:00pm

Peluso5192

Geno, go fuck yourself..judging by the updates that D's been giving it looks that. What have you been dooing just looking at the pictures?

06/30/2010 3:00pm

djmr66

maybe so froods...but you do remember who else we had to sign that year dont you? You can't keep all your players in a salary cap era...especially ones who all the sudden increase in value as quickly as some of the players have the past few years...

06/30/2010 3:00pm

djmr66

And you know that how jaluco?

06/30/2010 3:01pm

davis40

I agree, djmr. It's all posturing from both sides. Half of you guys wouldn't make it two seconds in Shero's job. You can't just instantly cave in and give the player whatever he wants, there is a cap thing to deal with. If we lose him, that sucks, but life goes on. I would rather lose Gonchar than be in cap hell for the next three years.

06/30/2010 3:02pm

Peluso5192

No one knows anything for sure that's why we are on this site. No I wasn't in negoatiations and all we go on is D's reports. Which on the surface looks very bad at the moment.

06/30/2010 3:03pm

eric

i dont think he wants to leave but i think he is stuck on this three year thing. i would think we could get to the third year. if we really had to. but it would have to be at a cheaper rate then the current one...

06/30/2010 3:04pm

Jeff2266

I know one thing for sure, gogo's a stud

06/30/2010 3:04pm

Peluso5192

lol!

06/30/2010 3:05pm

dirtmccurt

I think that's going to end up happening too eric, RS is playing just as hard to get as Gonchar is

06/30/2010 3:05pm

Nxt_1_Cometh

i agree davis. I just think that Shero needs to set deadlines so that he gives himself a chance to move on.

06/30/2010 3:06pm

djmr66

Maybe GoGo went on the "juice" and will come back like 210...lol

06/30/2010 3:06pm

Jeff2266

for all we know maybe gonchar owns the russian mob 10 mill over the next 2 years and he needs that 3rd year, so many factors to consider

06/30/2010 3:07pm

Peluso5192

I am interested to know how that reort that Gonch was going to reup at $3 mil a year 6 months ago turned into this?

06/30/2010 3:07pm

djmr66

I do remember Gonchar losing like millions in some scam a few years back...maybe he needs the money....lol

06/30/2010 3:08pm

Jeff2266

speaking of losing money id bring mike modano in on a 1 year 1mil deal

06/30/2010 3:09pm

dirtmccurt

Jeff that was the worst comment I've seen from you in a while

06/30/2010 3:09pm

Jeff2266

no risk the guy can score hes got enough talent to play with 87 or 71, ill do that over paying guerin 2mil or a guy like fedotenko

06/30/2010 3:11pm

djmr66

I wouldnt give Feds a box of raisins to play here again....

06/30/2010 3:11pm

Strike

Since winning the Cup the Pens have lost half their starting defense.

06/30/2010 3:11pm

Jeff2266

only if RS takes a handful before he gives him the box

06/30/2010 3:12pm

Jay32600

Thats what happens when you win the cup.....the value of your players increases.

06/30/2010 3:12pm

prj102

do you think players dont want to come here because since Sid took such a discount they feel they have to as well or they will be criticized verses getting there actual worth?

06/30/2010 3:12pm

djmr66

It happens Strike...It is going to happen to Detroit as well...and it is already happening in some respect to Chicago...tough to keep em all together...

06/30/2010 3:12pm

Jeff2266

Chicago overpayed their players before they won, tallon messed up big time with versteeg and barker contracts

06/30/2010 3:14pm

djmr66

Wonder if all the pens are calling Gonchar to play on his heartstrings like they did with Orpik...I will forever love Brooksie for staying...he would have gotten more by leaving...but stayed with the boys...and won a cup...love it...SERGEI....YOU LISTENING...

06/30/2010 3:15pm

djmr66

Somewhere Malkin is sobbing over a bowl of borscht....

06/30/2010 3:17pm

Jerkhart66

wonder how Geno would feel if Gonch left?

06/30/2010 3:17pm

LeMagnifique

gonch won his cup tho

06/30/2010 3:18pm

djmr66

more to be won....great core....new building...sold out fans....and not philly...

06/30/2010 3:21pm

smazefsky

i always enjoyed Gonch.....at leat until this years post season....shero is in a bind on this....at 5M per, Gonch would need to play in 65 plus games, and remain productive......big gamble....would rather see them add some stay at homes who can at least transition and a scoring winger.....more balanced...a lot of eggs automatically go in the Gonch basket at that rate....if he played 40 games or so, it would be a waste.....lets see what the kids plus whomever they pick up as UFA can do....there is always the trade deadline to address deficincies prior to the post season....

06/30/2010 3:31pm

BillCitro

Gonch won his cup I don't blame him wanting top dollar but Penguins are right not to pay it for him.

06/30/2010 3:48pm

zerocool6687

lol... "I have always enjoyed Gonch"... just sounds funny!

06/30/2010 3:48pm

smazefsky

zero, not in the biblical sense....lol....maybe the word watching would have helped me there!

06/30/2010 3:49pm

Jerkhart66

I dont think Go-Go will be our QB on the PP....I believe we'll make a huge push for Martin, and letang will get a better look with gonch not in the mix.....hell maybe we'll even attempt a trade for kaberle...who knows....but I highly doubt this team feels safe with Go-Go as the QB on the powerplay...they arent idiots

06/30/2010 4:19pm

LeMagnifique

heres your defense overhaul: trade malkin and gogo for doughty and johnson and sign volchekov with the extra cash

06/30/2010 4:21pm

jwalker82

then how in the world do u fill malkin's spot?

06/30/2010 4:32pm

Jerkhart66

Malkin's spot is unfillable if we traded him......theres no return worth it.....that would be affordable..

06/30/2010 4:33pm

LeMagnifique

not saying we should do it. just saying that would be a defensive revamp

06/30/2010 4:34pm

jwalker82

a defensive overhaul...and leave us weaker up front bad idea

06/30/2010 4:35pm

Weimer007

They are not going to overhaul the defense... for a very long time. They will get Hamhuis or another solid defensemen and sign a couple adequate defensemen for depth and I believe they will land a scoring wing. Too much D-depth in the system. More focus should be on offensive options at this point. The Penguins knew this was coming and have planned well.

06/30/2010 4:38pm

jaluco

You better hope so - because right now, I see that they had a plan two sign these two players, and missed on both. Nice plan!

06/30/2010 5:31pm

coachhank

Better off on TSN.com...seem to know more about whats going on. And not just making shit up...

06/30/2010 5:41pm

joepuck66

The "Pittsburgh Discount" is not going to work with most players...I believe that losing Gonchar will have an effect on Malkin...He has no family here and Gonch was the closest thing...

06/30/2010 5:47pm

DeathByEmu

It may joepuck.. or it might force him out of his shell a bit more.

06/30/2010 6:00pm

OU812

HAM SIGNS!!! Does anyone know about this guy? Is he any good? http://www2.scnow.com/scp/sports/high_school_prep/high_school_basketball/article/ham_signs_to_play_basketball_at_southern_wesleyan_university/158886/

06/30/2010 6:00pm

DeathByEmu

Everyone in panic mode!! Shero tried to pull off a double whammy that would have made the Pens into a steel curtain on ice. And, no, it doesnt look like it will happen.. so? It was not a 'nice plan'.. it was an awesome plan. But you cant force guys to sign.. so NOW we move to PLAN B..whatever that is. All of the armchair GM's ... seriously.. all of the moves that Shero has pulled off, I love the hate as soon as one falls through. Free agency hasnt started yet and the know-it-alls have their torches and pitchforks ready.

06/30/2010 6:05pm

John_P

Ham signed?

06/30/2010 6:07pm

I think OU was just kidding

06/30/2010 6:09pm

DeathByEmu

you mean Hamuis? and if you do.. how do you not know who he is?

06/30/2010 6:09pm

DeathByEmu

i hope

06/30/2010 6:10pm

jaluco

I love how free agency hasn't started yet, we're already on Plan B, and that's somehow a good thing. Shero's pulled off a lot of great moves, and for every great one he has, he's also brought back Feds, who flopped, traded for Poni, who flopped, and signed McKee, who flopped. The guy isn't clicking at 100% efficiency.

06/30/2010 6:10pm

Samtheman

wow suprise suprise i told u u guys are wasting on this Douchbag

06/30/2010 6:14pm

Samtheman

Can pens go after Modano

06/30/2010 6:15pm

jaluco

Huh - Gonchar is a douchebag, but you want a washed up Modano. Give it up, Sam

06/30/2010 6:18pm

Sam - biggest moron ever. Every new post I read of his is stupider than the previous one

06/30/2010 6:21pm

Samtheman

modano is a good experiance to the team and could help on pp only washed up players i see in pens is fedo poni gonchar those are washed up not modano at least modano wants to win another cup and not after the money like poni thinking he can do better out there and gonch

06/30/2010 6:22pm

jaluco

So Gonchar is washed up but Modano isn't - Sam - you're a whole new breed of dumb.

06/30/2010 6:31pm

CM2005

Sign Maxim Afinogenov!

06/30/2010 6:31pm

how much is gonch payin you jal?

06/30/2010 6:41pm

jaluco

Why would he have to pay me to say what the real hockey people already know, jack? He's not the second rated available UFA for nothing: http://www.thefourthperiod.com/freeagents/top30ufas.html

06/30/2010 6:47pm

jaluco

Good call though.

06/30/2010 6:47pm

j.p. barry?

06/30/2010 6:54pm

DeathByEmu

grats on your copy/paste ability. So he's number two. Or one. No one said he wasnt a commodity (except Sam) .Who cares? He wants more than the Pens can give. Think Kovalchuk wouldn't be great on the wing here? Sure. But we cant afford him. Move on. Cant imagine how Mario could hire Ray Shero and pass a brickhead like.

06/30/2010 6:55pm

jaluco

Are you two screwing each other?

06/30/2010 6:59pm

jaluco

06/30/2010 7:00pm

DeathByEmu

nope, just you, sunshine. I didnt see you quoting 'real hockey people' at thefourth period when they had an article on what a player Staal is. Joke. Later XOXOXOXO

06/30/2010 7:05pm

jaluco

Would have saved you time to just say "yes," emu. Never said Staal wasn't a real player. Just not a player you'd want to draft second overall. Everyone knows that.

06/30/2010 7:07pm

i remember my first website comeback

06/30/2010 7:39pm

joepuck66

Hey Jack---"you're encrusted with the barnacles of ignorance"....

06/30/2010 8:07pm

Chancebd7

gonch is jaluco's man crush, you guys havent figured that out yet?

06/30/2010 8:30pm

que?

06/30/2010 8:31pm

jaluco

Admittedly, I do find it hard to let go of a super star, especially when what he's asking for is rather reasonable, and still a nice discount compared to what he's going to be offered on the open market. If that makes him a man-crush, so be it. Maybe you guys just don't like good hockey players?

06/30/2010 8:33pm

Chancebd7

its a gamble to sign gonch to what he wants, hockey players decline greatly after they hit 35. i know lindstrom is going strong but hes a freak of nature

06/30/2010 8:46pm

Jay32600

Yep, the big risk is that Gonchar's play falls off a cliff this season or next, and you have $5 million a year tied up in someone who is truly only a PP specialist. In the defensive zone he did experience a drop off this season, and if that continues he won't be worth $5 million regardless of how many points he puts up.

06/30/2010 8:49pm

jaluco

You know what else is a "big risk?" Losing a #1 defenseman when you have nobody to step into that role. Trusting your PP to a guy that in all facets, failed you in Gonchar's absence last year. Throwing away an asset that you've only managed to play .500 hockey without during his tenure here.

06/30/2010 8:55pm

SV84

Who would take Gonch's right now?

06/30/2010 9:03pm

Chancebd7

management seem prepared to take that risk

06/30/2010 9:05pm

gopens

Shero DID NOT want him back, its why he offered to him ONLY 9.5 for 2 years. That was DOUBLE play from Shero.

06/30/2010 9:22pm

↑ previous comments ↑

bryanlang

I'm willing to let Alex & Kris fail. That assumes that the Pens get a Top Tier Defensive Defenseman. If they don't manage to sign Hamhuis I'll be disappointed.

06/30/2010 10:11pm

bryanlang

well, not let them... I'm willing to give them the chance to sink or swim though...

06/30/2010 10:16pm

Strike

The more this happens the more I think this team is more like Tampa and less like Detroit.

07/01/2010 7:07am

jaluco

Hamhuis is not a top tier defenseman.

07/01/2010 8:19am

DeathByEmu

Oh geezus.