Shero to meet with Gonchar's agent on Friday

Shero to meet with Gonchar's agent on Friday

6:47pm - Thursday, June 24th, 2010 by DePaoli

Quick update on Sergei Gonchar. I just got word from Gonchar's agent J.P. Barry who informs me that he and Pens GM Ray Shero will meet tomorrow in Los Angeles at the NHL draft.

It will be the first meeting between the two sides since Gonchar's camp made a contract proposal over the weekend. As we reported yesterday, Gonchar's camp has been waiting to hear back from Shero.

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Comments

blackngoldman

Gonch did a great job. But it's time to part ways. Too much cap the Power Play wasn't great with him either.

06/24/2010 7:12pm

Samtheman

finally someone is on my same page gonch was good but buiness is buisness time to move on trade this sucker to L A and get 2 good players

06/24/2010 7:14pm

CanuckYou

If you can sign Gonch at 5 mil a year its a steal, there is no other UFA that will give the Pens 60 pts a year from the blue line, at best Letang is still a year away from being able to do it, maybe. The only other option is to get Kaberle which will be tough considering the Pens don't have much left in the cupboard as far as prospects or decent wingers go.

06/24/2010 7:19pm

Jerkhart66

U wouldnt get two good players trading a player rights.....

06/24/2010 7:20pm

cpykosh

5 mil is ok but not for 3 years.

06/24/2010 7:22pm

CanuckYou

I agree, if it gets done I believe it will be a 2 year deal.

06/24/2010 7:23pm

jpaha

D already said they offered him a 2 year deal worth a little over 10 and he didn't take it. I think he wants 3 years over 5mil per, which we won't be able to give, but he could definitely get it on the open market from somebody

06/24/2010 7:24pm

jeffed

If it's two years it's going to be close to 6, which I can actually live with. They aren't even remotely close to having a replacement and he's one of the best at what he does. I don't get some of you people.

06/24/2010 7:25pm

jeffed

Why can't they give him a 3rd year? Outside of age why can't they?

06/24/2010 7:25pm

Samtheman

id sign him 3 years and 5 million this year and the other 2 years 3 million and the last year whit bonuses

06/24/2010 7:26pm

jeffed

Won't happen Sam, he's not an idiot. People try to be somewhat realistic.

06/24/2010 7:27pm

CanuckYou

I think Gonch realizes this is probably his last chance to get a big contract, I think he will be gone. They are meeting tomorrow so that Shero can ask him one last time before he trades his rights at the draft.

06/24/2010 7:29pm

dirtmccurt

He wants this to be his last contract, he's not going to take anything less than 3 years unless its for a huge overpayment

06/24/2010 7:30pm

CanuckYou

It is going to be exciting I think, just to see the new faces that will be on the roster. The winger positions especially . . . .

06/24/2010 7:34pm

jeffed

I personally will not be excited whatsoever if Gonchar isn't around.

06/24/2010 7:34pm

Samtheman

shero wasting time he wont stay here best offer shero can give is 5 million this year and go whit 2 season whit 3 million putting bonuses in front him so he can play good to get bonuses other then that if he doesnt like it then he can go rangers and get a 6 7 million type deal like redden lol

06/24/2010 7:35pm

jeffed

And he would actually be worth it Sam, unlike Redden.

06/24/2010 7:36pm

CanuckYou

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see Gonch gone either. His is the first Pens jersey I ever bought it will be sad to see him go : ( I also know that there will be change and that is a little exciting.

06/24/2010 7:36pm

jeffed

I agree that change can be exciting, they can still have changes with Gonchar around IMO.

06/24/2010 7:37pm

Samtheman

guys i love gonch his good player but defensivly he sucks and paying him 5 million that age id rather have lidstrom over him anyday

06/24/2010 7:38pm

Samtheman

Specially that play gonch did on the last game vs montreal whit moen i wanted to throw up that night

06/24/2010 7:39pm

dirtmccurt

Lidstrom was making over 7 mill when he was Gonchar's age sam

06/24/2010 7:39pm

Jerkhart66

IM good either way...depending on who we'd sign to replace the big guy.....

06/24/2010 7:39pm

jeffed

Sam that was one freaking shift out of one game where EVERYONE was absolutely terrible. I'm so glad that Shero does not think like you.

06/24/2010 7:40pm

dirtmccurt

I've got this feeling that RS is going to pull another one and we'll be reading about Gonchar signing at 4.5M.

06/24/2010 7:42pm

Samtheman

jeffed u certenly dont watch 2 way hockey ehh gonchar always been terrible in the D zone just cuz his good on pp doenst been his the best i would agree his good on pp but even at that pens were terrible this year so we need a change

06/24/2010 7:42pm

jeffed

If you are correct, that would be absolutely amazing.

06/24/2010 7:42pm

Samtheman

i hate when gonch always use one handed stick in the D zone it shows how lazy and no hear he has obviously u bandwangons dont see that

06/24/2010 7:42pm

jeffed

Exactly, what has changed from his first contract with the Pens? He was NEVER paid for his defense, never.

06/24/2010 7:43pm

jeffed

Powerplay was much better with Gonchar than it was without. The numbers with and without do not lie, but ignore that.

06/24/2010 7:43pm

Samtheman

lidstrom is good in all 3 zones gonchar good in only offensive zone

06/24/2010 7:43pm

CanuckYou

Sam how much hockey do you watch? Not trying to be a smart ass, other than the Pens really. I would like to think you are right, but I don't think people know how valuable Gonchar is.

06/24/2010 7:44pm

jeffed

And Gonchar will be making less than him, always has.

06/24/2010 7:44pm

Samtheman

markov is good in D zone too so this year when markovs contract ends pens should go after him his the young version of gonchar whit more potential and better in D zone

06/24/2010 7:45pm

jeffed

Markov won't be going anywhere.

06/24/2010 7:46pm

CanuckYou

With Tangradi in the NHL the Pens will have 11.097 million worth of cap by my calculations. If he signs for 6 thats 5.097 to spend on two top 6 forwards.

06/24/2010 7:46pm

Samtheman

wanna know why gonch is valuable mister because there is not much left in the league good pp Ds left whit good shots and vision thats why teams will want him to upgrade pp because special team plays factor other then that Gonch aint worth it

06/24/2010 7:46pm

CanuckYou

oh and another D man

06/24/2010 7:47pm

Samtheman

markov wil lgo cuz habs again overpayed another player called plekanec 30 million for 6 years thats too much and markov wont stay he wants to test the market

06/24/2010 7:47pm

jeffed

How are the Pens any different than the other teams you are mentioning Sam?

06/24/2010 7:48pm

Samtheman

pens are diffent then most of the teams cuz we have good young players sign for longterm so we are good contender team for the upcoming 3 4 years now

06/24/2010 7:49pm

jeffed

And Gonchar would greatly increase their contending chances for the next 3 years.

06/24/2010 7:50pm

dirtmccurt

I think you did your numbers wrong canuck...Currently the pens have 12.5M and I believe Tangradi only counts as 850k so we should have a little over 11.5 to spend

06/24/2010 7:51pm

dirtmccurt

But I'm almost positive that we won't see Tangradi until at least December so just cut his cap hit in half

06/24/2010 7:52pm

CanuckYou

Capitals, Flyers, Devils, Bruins, Sabres, Blackhawks, Predators, St. Louis Blues, Avs, Canucks, Kings, Coyotes, Sharks, will all be contenders for another 2 to 3 years some longer.

06/24/2010 7:52pm

CanuckYou

ok idk exact I was pulling numbers from CapGeek.com

06/24/2010 7:53pm

dirtmccurt

I know this might sound crazy but, if we have to, I'd like to trade his rights to NYR. Yes playing him 6 times a year, and potentially again in the playoffs, will be rough but a 3 year 6M contract would cripple that team but Slather only knows how to read superstar names so he'd do it

06/24/2010 8:00pm

CanuckYou

honestly I don't know how Glen Sather still has a job

06/24/2010 8:04pm

crazzzykracker

Honestly we have too many young defenseman waiting in the wings and we gotta take the risk and not sign him. He wants way to much for his age and his proneness to injury now. Its time for the young guys to nut up or shut up

06/24/2010 8:24pm

Schmidty0818

He and the owner are pals. Otherwise he woluld've been long gone.

06/24/2010 8:25pm

CanuckYou

If he and the Owner are Pals, then he should sign for a nice Pal discount.

06/24/2010 8:26pm

jpaha

i think he was referring to Sather, not Gonchar

06/24/2010 8:30pm

CanuckYou

oh ok good call

06/24/2010 8:33pm

jaluco

I've always said I'd go three years, but the cap hit needs to come down to about $4.5 million.

06/24/2010 8:48pm

John_P

3yrs 14.75 million, i can live with that. Get it Done Shero!!

06/24/2010 8:50pm

John_P

about 4.85-4.9 for 3 years is very very fair

06/24/2010 8:52pm

John_P

and if this is the case and true, thats def a hometown discount. he could easily get 3 for 18 on the open market

06/24/2010 8:52pm

John_P

For all you guys who like Paul Martin, hes a good player who is good defensively and good offensively, but is not in the same league as Gonchar. We all know that!!!

06/24/2010 8:54pm

Chancebd7

id say it has to be more like 3 years 13mil

06/24/2010 8:56pm

CM2005

A healthy Gonchar, and a new PP coach and this could be very very good for the Pens. Hopefully a strong Goligoski as well in the off season.

06/24/2010 8:59pm

Chancebd7

if he wants to help him and give him a third year that third year cant pay more than 3.5

06/24/2010 9:01pm

fatman00

I dont mind gonch coming back but id like to see us try to sign zybnek michalek from pheniox we need another dman to play good d and eat min.

06/24/2010 9:09pm

Chancebd7

Gonch 4.5 mil hit whitney 3mil hit michalek 3.5 and another pyhical d man to compete with lovejoy for top 6 for under 750k leaves us with about 1 mil for trade deadline and a very nice lineup imo, all this is me assuming tangradi is up from the start of the season, but i dont see shero letting him be that comfortable

06/24/2010 9:11pm

yeah change can be exciting but i think the most thing that excites people is who we could add with all that cap space....i dont think it will be to exciting when gonch and a few others sign somewhere else and we are left with shit....even if he goes to FA i wouldnt say hes definitely gone. a few years back orpik hit FA and everyone thought he was gone but he came back for a good price. guess we will have to wait and see

06/24/2010 9:12pm

fatman00

i would rather have the pens make the deal for versteeg rather than sign whitney and if you have to move kennedy like talbot up to his spot. then look to see about a solid secondary scoring forward like prospal who we could for around 1.3 or so and hell score 20

06/24/2010 9:17pm

fatman00

and still keep gonch if you could get himfor the 4.5 mil cap hit.

06/24/2010 9:18pm

Chancebd7

i agree just think chi is gonna keep versteeg at this point

06/24/2010 9:19pm

fatman00

I think they still need to move some cap so they can resign their rfa's and still fill out the roster.

06/24/2010 9:21pm

CM2005

My guess is a 3 year deal 5.5/4.5/4- 14 million.

06/24/2010 9:21pm

fatman00

they have thirteen players and only 5 mill in space

06/24/2010 9:23pm

remember the feeling when hossa burned us, malone left and we signed satan and fedetenko? god that makes me sick i dont wanna get screwed again like that hope we sign gonch cmon hes one hell of a player that we would really miss

06/24/2010 9:23pm

Chancebd7

hey but we won the cup that year

06/24/2010 9:24pm

fatman00

yea we would really miss gonch i just think we need to replace the other d men eaton and leopold with some better d men on the physical and defencive type.

06/24/2010 9:25pm

yeah i know but satan was in the minors when the playoffs started and feds didnt really do much either....if we didnt get billy g and kunitz that year we would have never come close

06/24/2010 9:27pm

Richii81

I think Gonchar offensive talents are extremely solid with the flip side reflecting that he hasn't played particular solid in his own zone. I think the Pens prefer feel they can live with that - that's fine. I think the bigger concern is his health, were the last two years a vision of whats to come or, just two unlucky years.? Is that risk worth 5 million a season for the next 3? Will the same people that say sign him, be the ones complaining when the Pens need top 6 talent in December - bet they are...More depth on defense in the system, than offense - it's a pretty easy decision..

06/24/2010 9:36pm

djmr66

Gonch is a good Offensive D man...but if he signs for 5 mil as advertised...do you really think Crosby and Malkin are going to be overjoyed at the prospect of playing another few years with third line talent...my guess is no. Don't think Crosby wasn't pissed that he didn't really win any awards. He says he wasn't but he is as competitive as anyone in the league. Can you imagine if the guy had full time stud wingers. Or even one for that matter. So I like Gonch...I thank him for his contributions..but at five mil. for three years...as he seems to want...no thanks. I would rather retool the D and get some better wingers. We can make up the point difference there...and keep our Franchise Centers happy..

06/24/2010 10:28pm

djmr66

But if we can get the guy for 3.5 to 4..then GREAT! Love to see him back...

06/24/2010 10:30pm

djmr66

And I mean Cap Hit....not Salary..

06/24/2010 10:37pm

dirtmccurt

D, if we resign Gonchar, does that make gogo expendable?

06/24/2010 10:57pm

dirtmccurt

I mean if gonch comes back, that basically knocks him off down to the 3rd line and he won't be qbing the PP anymore. I'd be much more comfortable giving Leo gogo's salary and having him play with Lovejoy.

06/24/2010 11:02pm

jaluco

$3.5 million for a 60 point defenseman! Wherever you buy the shit you're smoking, I'm interested.

06/24/2010 11:03pm

OU812

3 yrs. / 4.5 per, Book it! (6.0, 4.5, 3.0) contract will expire same year as Crosby's. Will give Letang/Gogo time to develop/mature and won't have to rush prospects' development.

06/24/2010 11:08pm

Samtheman

pens need offence whit that money let go gonch fedo and poni and get 2 decent wingers

06/24/2010 11:11pm

jeffed

fyi - crosby contract won't ever expire.

06/24/2010 11:11pm

jeffed

gauranteed 50-60 points from gonchar Sam

06/24/2010 11:12pm

dirtmccurt

Sam I don't think you realize how many decent wingers we can get cheap. How many other 60 pt defensemen are available this summer?

06/24/2010 11:12pm

OU812

I think I would take Ray Whitney and Leopold though if same/close cap hit rather than Gonchar.

06/24/2010 11:13pm

jeffed

none, but Gonchar is russian so he's terrible. oh and he had a bad shift in game 7, so that means hes awful

06/24/2010 11:13pm

djmr66

Descending contract...just like every other team does Jaluco. 6, 5, 3, 1 It ain't rocket science.....and I said 3.5 to 4 to give Shero some flexibility....lol

06/24/2010 11:15pm

dirtmccurt

All these Whitney rumors are starting to make me sick. The guy was making 3.5M last year, you think he's going to take a million dollar paycut to play here. Here are two guys that are similar age and had basically the same season as he did...Bill Guerin and Vinny Prospal. Their salaries combined were less than Whitney's

06/24/2010 11:17pm

jeffed

I wouldn't be against Prospal, prob won't be interested though.

06/24/2010 11:18pm

dirtmccurt

I think we should Billy G one more year. He's dying to play in the new arena and in the winter classic. It's the least we could do for him helping us win a cup, helping Sid handle being the captain, take a 2 million dollar paycut to play with a cap strapped team, etc...

06/24/2010 11:20pm

dirtmccurt

Like RS said, we want people who want to play here, no one does more than Billy

06/24/2010 11:21pm

Samtheman

reason pens lost cuz we didnt not habve enought punch on our attack fedo and poni were handicaping the first 2 lines

06/24/2010 11:22pm

Samtheman

pens should get another good 3rd line centermen and move staal whit malkin and time to time swich staal on 3rd line depending of the situation

06/24/2010 11:22pm

jpaha

idk about Prospal. I think id stay away from him unless i can't find anybody else cause for the past 5 years, the guy has had a really good season, then a bad one and after last year's good one it might be time for another bad one. Plus, he isn't too good of a skater and we already have Billy G

06/24/2010 11:23pm

dirtmccurt

I saw that jpaha, and I'm not sure if this is right but I think it has to do with teams moving him from the wing to center. Again I don't really follow the guy but I do know his best years were playing on the left side of Lecavalier and St. Louis, but I also know TB tried using him as a center alot too. IDK but at 1.5M or maybe less, it's a gamble I'd be willing to take

06/24/2010 11:27pm

Samtheman

lecavalier might be out from TB so is st louis possiblility st louis ends up in Rangers aparently he enjoeyd playing under john tortorrella and + his wife is from new york

06/24/2010 11:30pm

jpaha

i don't know where he played last year. im assuming center cause they had Gaborik on one wing, but i don't follow the Rangers so i don't really know. I wouldn't sign him in the first week of free agency, id first look and c what's out there. But if nothing works out, id do what NYR did last year and wait a couple weeks and pick the guy up for cheap. He barely made over 1mil last year and if he would sign for that id do it

06/24/2010 11:31pm

Samtheman

what about drury on a 3rd line whit pens and make staal play wing whit malkin + drury is good on faceoff

06/24/2010 11:33pm

dirtmccurt

Wow sam, you realize Drury makes almost as much as Malkin and Crosby right?

06/24/2010 11:35pm

jeffed

Good Lord Sam.

06/24/2010 11:35pm

jpaha

i'm not even going to comment on Sam's post. that is a million times worse than Eklund.

06/24/2010 11:36pm

Samtheman

i ment if he wasnt work 7 million wouldve been good fit to play 3rd line

06/24/2010 11:37pm

dirtmccurt

Well than yeah, and I'd really like Rick Nash at 4M too

06/24/2010 11:46pm

froods

Gonchar is very good in his own end...not great...but good. I thought he looked more physical then I have ever seen him last year. The problem is him and Orpik were thrust into the top shutdown pair after the departure of Gill-Scuds. He is not a shutdown d-man....but very capibale in his own end and an offensive Genius.

06/24/2010 11:48pm

froods

Cant wait till he is signed tomorrow

06/24/2010 11:48pm

jeffed

I'm with ya there Froods.

06/24/2010 11:52pm

dirtmccurt

If he's signed I really think we need to move gogo. We cannot effectively fix all of our problems with Gonchar and gogo because we'd have to spend another huge sum to get someone to cover gogo

06/24/2010 11:57pm

jeffed

Dirt - You are going to get hell over that last comment. Gogo is like God on here.

06/24/2010 11:59pm

dirtmccurt

Well if I can convince sam that he's russian I might have a shot at swaying the whole site

06/25/2010 12:04am

jeffed

Haha. He has a cult following on here. He gets compared to Rafalski ,etc. its a joke.

06/25/2010 12:06am

dirtmccurt

But really, who do we pair gogo with? Letang, Lovejoy? Do you break up the Gonchar Orpik pairing, if so who do you put Gonchar with. I just think it will cost us another 3M to get a responsible defender for gogo. Instead we can package him with our 1st rounder and get a legit winger. Michalek-Letang, Gonchar-Orpik, ???-Lovejoy.

06/25/2010 12:12am

jeffed

I really have no idea where he fits in, I've been trying to figure that out for a while now. I have no answers for you unfortunately.

06/25/2010 12:17am

CM2005

Goligoski should try out for ice capades.

06/25/2010 12:21am

dirtmccurt

I have a hunch that Mike Mottau can be the new scuderi. I don't watch him alot but I notice him every time we play NJ and in their series with philly. I just get the feeling that he and lovejoy could be a very good shutdown pairing

06/25/2010 12:22am

zerocool6687

Under 5 mil??? May not be such a bad deal after all!

06/25/2010 12:24am

zerocool6687

Not saying he is not worth more but for cap considerations the idea of under 5 is great!

06/25/2010 12:26am

jeffed

under 5 would be an absolute steal

06/25/2010 12:27am

dirtmccurt

RS is going to get him down to 4.5M, I know he can do it

06/25/2010 12:27am

dirtmccurt

Hypothetical...Would you rather have Kubina at 4.5 or Gonchar at 5?

06/25/2010 12:38am

gonch at 5 not even close

06/25/2010 12:45am

gt7322

If things dont work out w/ Gonchar, Kubina would be a great option. How old is he?

06/25/2010 12:48am

dsig41

I think people need to look at this move strictly from the business side and take yourself out of being a fan or not being a fan of Gonch. It's easy to exagerate Gonch's play from both sides of that arguement. Yes, Gonch is one of the best pp quarterbacks in the game. He is probably top 25 all time. Also, Gonch has never been known for his play in his own end. During the third and fourth years of his Pens contract Gonch transformed himself into a norris trophy canidate. With that said, I am not going to be upset if Gonch is signed unless the cap hit is close to 6. I actually was hoping for a one year deal, but there is no real chance of the happening. I think the Pens are really close to bringing back a D core that is worse the the one that everyone complained about last season. The reason the Pens went to the finals was because the had a balanced D core. They had the shut down pairing that they are lacking now. This FA class has the types of players that will make the Pens a better team Defensively. Many will bring up want Gonxh does for the powerplay and that's a fair arguement, but when you powerplay has two of the best 3 players in the game on it, then you should be able to be successful without Gonch. Teams prove this every season when the accomplish more of the pp than the pens with far less talent. Signing two players in the Michalek mold, and bringing back a player like Leopold makes this team better and more difficult to play against. It also makes the team more of a Stanley Cup threat since they have a balanced D. I will not take shots at Gonch because I am a fan of him, and know what he was done for this team and what he has accomplished in his career. Gonchar is worth more than whatever contract he signs this off season, but I just hope that RS choses a more balanced D core than one that may be more talented.

06/25/2010 6:40am

dsig41

Gonch at 5, whitney at 3, guerin at 2, bring tangradi up, we would just be under the cap, if we sign no one else. That's a pretty solid team. I could live with that. Gives us like 500 k to play with, but I guess that's what it is in the salary cap era.

06/25/2010 6:46am

dsig41

God, I'd love to get rid of Godard's contract right now...

06/25/2010 6:47am

dsig41

But then we have two open spots on D. RS has his work cut out..

06/25/2010 6:48am

fatman00

we need a wing wo can score in playoffs so I agree sign gonch and move go go for a wing

06/25/2010 8:33am

froods

GoGo actually was ok in his own end it the playoffs......he will keep getting better. Either re-sign Eaton for $2 or someone else....need a 6th or 7th d-man for the min. That leaves 2.5-3 million for a winger for Geno. Like it or not Sid is getting Duper and Kunitz on his wing.

06/25/2010 8:56am

froods

Geno will get New guy and Talbot/Tangradi

06/25/2010 8:57am

froods

Although I do not agree with that awful book you just wrote.......I agree about getting rif of Godard. I know it only saves 250K(his replacement still has to make 500K)......but that could be helpful at the deadline.

06/25/2010 8:59am

dsig41

What do you not agree with?

06/25/2010 9:01am

froods

The length

06/25/2010 9:06am

dsig41

Godard contract saves you 750,000. You do not need to replacement. Enforcers are going extinct. If you think for one second that players like Carcillo or Avery think about Godard before running Crosby or Malkin then you are greatly mistaken. At that point what good is he after Crosby or Malkin are injured. The pens have guys that will slep upwhen needed.

06/25/2010 9:11am

dsig41

Nice insight. I was trying to hear your side

06/25/2010 9:12am

froods

Ok i read it.......I agree with all your points.....Except...the difference between the finals is not because the shutdown pair (although that hurt a little) It was the play of Flower and Geno...that will get better for sure. Godard only saves 250...you still have tpo replace his body with another player.

06/25/2010 9:16am

seabs926

You still need to replace him with a player. The minimum that player is going to make is 0.5M. So it doesn't save you that much. I agree with froods that it provides us with a bit more wiggle room at the deadline, but I don't see any way that Shero gets ride of Godard.

06/25/2010 9:18am

seabs926

*rid of

06/25/2010 9:18am

mwalluk

D- If Shero signs Gonch, could we expect to have GOGO traded this weekend? ANy movement on the Versteeg front?

06/25/2010 9:19am

jeffed

Gogo isn't going anywhere, they love him, he's apparently untouchable. Even though he should be on the market for a top 6 winger.

06/25/2010 9:20am

mwalluk

I think he may if we sign Gonch

06/25/2010 9:22am

jeffed

I would love to see it, but don't get your hopes up.

06/25/2010 9:23am

mwalluk

If Gonch signs dominoes will fall. Gogo or a D prospect will get traded. Hope we can get Versteeg. That's a winger I always wanted and is realistic to get.

06/25/2010 9:24am

jeffed

I don't know if Chicago is even looking to move him any longer.

06/25/2010 9:25am

dirtmccurt

If I'm trading gogo, I'd want more than Versteeg in return

06/25/2010 9:26am

mwalluk

Wonder if the Gonch talks could be a front by SHero

06/25/2010 9:26am

mwalluk

Wasn't saying Gogo for Versteeg. Talbot/Kennedy and a pick/prospect should get that done. Gogo could fetch us something along the lines of a Kunitz/Tangradi package.

06/25/2010 9:28am

mwalluk

I think CHi is still keeping that option open. They still have a few RFA that need signed and they need wiggle room for trade deadline.

06/25/2010 9:28am

jeffed

I think they still need to make qualifying offers to Ladd, Niemi and Jchalmerson (sp?).

06/25/2010 9:31am

froods

Chicago is good.....it was either Buff or Versteeg. They send Huet down and they will be fine now...I dd the math. Shero said on NHL live he is not interested in getting rid of any roster players. Plus what does if you do trade GoGo...you have to replace him.....and what are you really saving in cap room?

06/25/2010 9:34am

mwalluk

The last one however he spells it, think it has a U in it.... I wouldn't mind Shero trading for that guy.

06/25/2010 9:35am

mwalluk

Froods - it's robbing peter to pay paul

06/25/2010 9:35am

mwalluk

Shero says alot of things, unfortunately we just have to take it as face value, since none of us knows what happens behind closed door. He would be a fool to not trade a roster player if it enhances and upgrades this team.

06/25/2010 9:37am

froods

IMO the roster last year WAS good enough to win the cup.....the team wasn't because of fatigue. If they bring back the same roster -Feds, McKee, and Skoula+Tangradi, Lovejoy, 7th defenseman.....they will contend

06/25/2010 9:37am

mwalluk

That's the thing 3 of those players won't be back as well as a few recent addittions. This team still needs upgraded. It's not getting any easier. We didn't play that well in the playoffs.

06/25/2010 9:38am

Schmidty0818

Anyone able to read the latest article under NHL insider "Trade Talks heating up; Latest Free Agency News"?

06/25/2010 9:39am

froods

Tanger and GoGo will improve. Malkin, Flower, and Kennedy will bounce back. Sid will improve something.....Staal's hands will get better. It's not a person......it's our young guys improving that will make a difference.

06/25/2010 9:40am

j_s15226

Froods: It's not a good idea to stand pat. There are alot of variables there. Whose to say all those things that went wrong last year, won't again this year?

06/25/2010 9:48am

jeffed

Staal's hands will get better? How?

06/25/2010 9:48am

Chancebd7

Practice, just like sids shot and his faceoffs have gotten better. its how all athletes improve

06/25/2010 9:50am

jeffed

Staals not even skating, he's in a boot. tough to practice anytihng like that.

06/25/2010 9:50am

froods

The cap gives them no choice....unless you blow up the core...which is a bad isea. Staal said on Wednesday he was gonna work on his hands this summer.

06/25/2010 9:50am

froods

You don't need your feet to shoot pucks into dryers!

06/25/2010 9:51am

Jeff2266

hands are tough thing to improve i think they will get better from him being more comfortable with the puck, but hes not going to be turning into pavel datsyuk any time soon

06/25/2010 9:51am

Chancebd7

that boot will only be on there for a few weeks, and he can still practice his hands in a boot,

06/25/2010 9:52am

Jeff2266

yes you do, you cant shoot properly without ur feet.

06/25/2010 9:53am

jeffed

I just don't see players improving their hands all that much, its usually a talent/skill that a player either has or doesn't. I hope he improves on his hands, but its not a certainty by any means.

06/25/2010 9:53am

froods

I think we would all love to see a new RW for both Sid and Geno.....and a shutdown D-man on the backend.....but at what cost? Give up Gonchar and you can get 1 of those.....but then you just gave yourself another hole.

06/25/2010 9:53am

jeffed

No, he really can't. Its not just hands, the whole body has to work in sync. Standing on one foot and shooting isn't going to do shit

06/25/2010 9:54am

froods

It was a joke...i do realize that

06/25/2010 9:54am

Chancebd7

im pretty sure stall is better now than datsyuk was at 21

06/25/2010 9:54am

froods

That is just what he said

06/25/2010 9:55am

Jeff2266

maybe but staal will never have his talent which was all i was saying

06/25/2010 9:56am

Chancebd7

the boot is not even gonna be on that long, you have kinda a dumb arguement here, long time til the season starts, and if stall says hes gonna work on his hands why would you not take his word for it and not expect then to get better

06/25/2010 9:56am

jeffed

Datsyuk was a 7th round pick... not 2nd overall.

06/25/2010 9:56am

Jeff2266

hands are a tough thing to work on, u cant teach someone how to have soft hands they just do

06/25/2010 9:57am

froods

You don't need his talent when you have Sid and Geno in front of him. His role and skillset are perfect. Kind of like Drury in Colorado behind Forsberg and Sakic

06/25/2010 9:57am

Chancebd7

Maybe not Jeff but we wont really know that for 10 years or so

06/25/2010 9:57am

jeffed

Athletes always work on stuffl, they don't necessarily get better. I'll take his word for it but what's that worth?

06/25/2010 9:57am

Jeff2266

i dont think compare staal to datsyuk is a really fair comparison

06/25/2010 9:58am

froods

I agree.....they play a different game...I think Drury is a better comparison

06/25/2010 9:58am

Chancebd7

i think staals problem is more not being comfortable while carrying the puck thing, which will improve with time

06/25/2010 9:59am

jeffed

Staal and Datsyuk def. isn't fair, no where close to each other.

06/25/2010 9:59am

Jeff2266

drury used play to winger with foresberg, hes not the most talent player staal but hes good and sure will improve somewhat

06/25/2010 9:59am

froods

Datsyuk is more finesse....Staal is pure power

06/25/2010 10:00am

Chancebd7

its worth giving him time to do it before you pass judgement i think, lets have this conversation in december

06/25/2010 10:00am

Jeff2266

ya its not a good comparison i only brought up datsyuk because i think hes got the best hands in the league

06/25/2010 10:00am

froods

I thought Drury centered that third line for a while...no?

06/25/2010 10:01am

jeffed

Gladly.

06/25/2010 10:01am

Jeff2266

once staals confidence gets higher he'll become more comfortable and thats how he would improve

06/25/2010 10:01am

Jeff2266

when they were winning foresberg tanguay drury was a line, deadmarsh sakic and ?

06/25/2010 10:02am

froods

Yes......but until he feels more confident....he is still worth every penny he makes

06/25/2010 10:02am

Jeff2266

sakic had alot of different guys when deadmarsh was traded for blake

06/25/2010 10:02am

froods

Oh ok....my bad.

06/25/2010 10:03am

jeffed

He's worth the money, but its still alot to pay a 3rd line center.

06/25/2010 10:04am

Chancebd7

45 points and a selke candidate at 21 years old is worth 4 mil

06/25/2010 10:04am

Jeff2266

hedjuk was around as well thats who it was

06/25/2010 10:04am

froods

I was just thinking a great defensive minded forward who tops at 30 goals....and scores clutch goals behind two all world centers.....sounds firmilar

06/25/2010 10:04am

dirtmccurt

And I believe the top line was Tanguay-Sakic-Hejduk

06/25/2010 10:04am

froods

I believe in the model........for at least 1 more year

06/25/2010 10:04am

jeffed

Never said he wasn't worth the money.

06/25/2010 10:05am

jeffed

The model has proven to work already, they won't be giving up on it any time soon.

06/25/2010 10:05am

Jeff2266

u might be right i know drury played with foresberg, especially the year he scored all those game winners in the playoffs

06/25/2010 10:06am

froods

Although I guarntee I will be on here sometime in December screaming for them to put Staal and Geno together. I am such a hypocrite

06/25/2010 10:06am

Jeff2266

ya i have no problem paying staal that much hes worth it i believe, heads up if jaluco is around

06/25/2010 10:06am

dirtmccurt

Either way, they had a sick group of defense as well...Bourque, Blake, Foote, Skoula (when he was decent)

06/25/2010 10:07am

Jeff2266

ya they were a dirty team i still dont know how they lost the year kariya and selanne signed for under 4 mil or soemthing together

06/25/2010 10:08am

dirtmccurt

I think the thing everyone forgets about Staal is that he plays 20 minutes a game (less than a minute less than what Malkin is getting). Its not like we're paying him 4M to play 10 minutes a game

06/25/2010 10:09am

froods

Yea like when the Lakers brought in Malone and Payton and they lost.......I love when that happens!

06/25/2010 10:09am

dirtmccurt

Averages above 20 goals a season/50 pts. He shuts down other teams top lines, 21 year old Selke nominee, doesn't miss games. I mean the list goes on with this kid

06/25/2010 10:11am

Chancebd7

so what you guys think we get gonch signed today or what?

06/25/2010 10:11am

Jeff2266

i think everyone here is pro staal

06/25/2010 10:11am

Jeff2266

I think he does get signed today

06/25/2010 10:12am

froods

Yes....yes....yes...and yes. That is why I think they need to take a long hard look in 3 years.....on keeping him or Geno

06/25/2010 10:12am

Jeff2266

everyone here at this time is pro staal

06/25/2010 10:12am

froods

Yes.....4.75 3 years

06/25/2010 10:13am

dirtmccurt

I've been saying RS is going to get him at 4.5 today

06/25/2010 10:13am

Chancebd7

kids got talent no doubt gonna be exciting in 3 or 4 years when hes in his prime, same with geno and sid

06/25/2010 10:13am

froods

that would be incredible!

06/25/2010 10:14am

Chancebd7

yea im hoping 4.5 cap hit over 3

06/25/2010 10:14am

froods

Homestly I think I would be ok with 5.25

06/25/2010 10:15am

froods

Anymore....let him go

06/25/2010 10:16am

mwalluk

This is going be an awesome weekend.... is it 7pm yet?

06/25/2010 10:17am

froods

What do you guys think about giving him a 4th year to get the cap number way down?

06/25/2010 10:19am

froods

5.5-5-3.5-3...4.25 cap hit

06/25/2010 10:22am

Chancebd7

not a fan of that froods, dont even think shero would consider it

06/25/2010 10:24am

John_P

its a thought, u take the risk that he retires and u still have it on the books, but i can def see him playing 4 more years. but i think 3 yrs 14.75 gets it done today

06/25/2010 10:25am

froods

If he retires...you can buy him out still right?

06/25/2010 10:27am

dirtmccurt

But then his cap hit stays even longer. Its better to just do 3 or none

06/25/2010 10:27am

John_P

im not sure how that would work, i think 3 yrs is what he wants and close to 15 mill in total, which is very fair all around

06/25/2010 10:27am

dirtmccurt

Or I'd do 4 but he won't get a NTC

06/25/2010 10:28am

froods

2/3 of 4.25 is bout 2.8......so two years with a penalty of 1.4 might be worth the risk for that extra year

06/25/2010 10:29am

froods

unless he retires after 2....then that really sucks.

06/25/2010 10:31am

dirtmccurt

1.4 is not a good number considering that Sid, Malkin and Staal will need new contracts by then

06/25/2010 10:33am

froods

Yea is .75 really worth that risk?

06/25/2010 10:34am

jeffed

nope not at all

06/25/2010 10:41am

Jeff2266

nothing wrong with 3 years IMO, we'll have alot of young d man ready to go by then

06/25/2010 10:44am

jeffed

I agree, three years makes perfect sense for both sides.

06/25/2010 10:51am

froods

What do you guys think of this-Gonch 3 years 14.25 Ray Whitney 2 years 5.5 Pothier, Eaton, Ward, ect 1 year 2 million then some vet for around 700K. call it a day. Kunitz-Sid-Duper Whitney-Geno-Tangradi/Talbot Cooke-Staal-Kennedy Rupp-Talbot/Letestu-Adams Godard Orpik-Letang 2 mill/Gonchar Lovejoy/700k-GoGo

06/25/2010 10:55am

froods

leaves them about 1 mill under

06/25/2010 10:56am

jeffed

Only problem is Whitney is probably going to want/get 2yr 7m

06/25/2010 10:57am

froods

Then bring back Billy G for 1.75 and go after Mickalek

06/25/2010 10:59am

froods

Michalek sorry

06/25/2010 10:59am

jeffed

I think Billy G will be back if he wants to. I can live with that scenario for sure.

06/25/2010 11:03am

Samtheman

billy G said he wants on play one pone season andreason is he wants to play in new arena

06/25/2010 11:05am

cpykosh

The thoughts of whitney and guerin kind of worries me, how many old guys do we need....it is a crap shoot, don't know how good they will be or how much they will slow down. We need speed especially since Sid said he was going to work on getting quicker over the summer because we all know what he says he wants to improve on he will, don't think theses guys can keep up.

06/25/2010 11:14am

dirtmccurt

There are no good wingers this summer, you can overpay Whitney if you want but Guerin basically does his job at half the price and Guerin is a guy that wants to be here

06/25/2010 11:23am

↑ previous comments ↑

mwalluk

chances our their probably wont be any good ones next

06/25/2010 11:27am

djmr66

Dont know why...I smell a big trade coming by the Pens....just a stupid hunch....

06/25/2010 11:59am

drallison

Getting the big unexpected trade feeling....Kunitz? Talbot? Addams? Feel like something is in the works

06/25/2010 12:24pm