Trading the Gonch

Interesting blog by Travis Yost over at Hockeybuzz. http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Travis-Yost/Source-New-York-Rangers-Colorado-Avalanche-Inquire-About-Sergei-Gonchar/134/33487

*Apparently* both the Rangers and the Avalanche have interest in Gonchar. Apparently his play in years’ past is motive enough for some teams to kick the tires on him. When you look back at his numbers with the Pens, it’s not hard to see why there might be interest, but his play this year must have diminished his value somewhat.

To me, it sounds like a deal with the Rangers is more likely, which would mean some salary coming back our way. Hopefully it won’t be Drury ($7.5M next year). Prospal’s name was also tossed around.

Anyway, if I were Murray, I’d be doing pretty much anything short of taking on ridiculous contracts to get rid of Gonchar. If Gonchar’s poor stats carry over into next year, he will become more and more untradeable. If I need to take on salary THIS year to get rid of him, make it so. I like what Gonchar can do for the PP, but this team needs a little more of a well-rounded game on the backend, and a little less PP-capability. With the crop of D prospects and potential FA signings, Gonchar is expendable, and all that sweet, delicious cap room could be quite useful.

I know Gonchar has a NMC. Who knows how he would feel about waiving it. Chances are, he didn’t think Ottawa would be a basement-dweller, and might be happy to have a playoff run somewhere else. I know there’s been talk of trading the Gonch potentially hurting our ability to sign other UFAs, but if he waives his NMC, then at least it looks like he’s a willing partner in the deal.

So, barring him not wanting to waive his NMC, do we trade him or not?

From our perspective, I think a trade with Colorado makes more sense, if for no other reason than because we wouldn't (necessarily) have to take on salary.

I think with Spezza back, Gonchar is already looking better. Looks like their grooming Kuba for a move too since he got the most PP time last night.

If we add some speed and skill up front, nothing fancy, Gonchar will be a 50 pt. player next season.

Yeah, I'm not really sure if that's the right idea right now. If the Rangers want him, they'll have to pay with a 1st + prospect + Drury (I assume as the cap dump). We're not giving him away for free. This is an anomaly IMO, he's a minimum 50 point player everywhere he's been + with the hopeful upgrade in skill by at least the 1st round pick.

But Drury has another year left on his humongous contract ...

Drury is not a bad piece to get back in that kind of deal

I'd be scared of trading the Gonch.

Partly due to the reputation hit we'd take.

Mostly I'd be scared of what kind of junk we'd have to take back in order to even out the cap hits.

Gonchar is playing bad now because the entire team is bad, I don't know why people expect great players to perform at their peak when the team around them is playing like a beer league team.

It would depend on what we'd get back (assuming he waives) but I still think he has a good role to play here especially mentor to Karlsson and Rundblad.

We can do a lot worse than the Gonch.

TheAvatar wrote:But Drury has another year left on his humongous contract ...

I know, that bugs me for sure, but we'll have some space and he'd be a good role model for the younger guys. But yes, I think he's legitimately done, so probably a bad idea.

SpezDispenser wrote:

TheAvatar wrote:But Drury has another year left on his humongous contract ...

I know, that bugs me for sure, but we'll have some space and he'd be a good role model for the younger guys. But yes, I think he's legitimately done, so probably a bad idea.

How would Drury feel about playing alongside Chris Neil ?

Kind of like the Lindy Ruff to Ottawa rumours I hear

Nah. I still want to keep Gonchar and Phillips around for the sake of the development of Karlsson, Cowen, Rundblad and potentially Wiercioch.

Kuba can GTFO though.

If we get a really good offer, Gonchar can go. You don't need to have guys like him to "develop" your rookies...you have coaches for that. Get a good defense coach and all will be good.

SeawaySensFan wrote:I think with Spezza back, Gonchar is already looking better. Looks like their grooming Kuba for a move too since he got the most PP time last night.

If we add some speed and skill up front, nothing fancy, Gonchar will be a 50 pt. player next season.

Hopefully, not in a Sens uniform. We are rebuilding. What's the point in him staying? To groom our younger defenceman? He hasn't done much of that so far.

If there's a deal to be had (read: sucker willing to take him), he really ought to go, especially if it looks like we won't be competing for a playoff spot next season. There's no point in having him on the books, especially if Melnyk is going to struggle to break even.

I just don't understand why people seem to think this guy is a lock for 50 points if we add some skill. He's past his prime, and doesn't give a damn. The only reason that he isn't crucified more than he is (and should be), is because everyone is too busy flogging Kovalev. If Gonchar is here next year, he's the town piñata for sure.

hemlock wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I think with Spezza back, Gonchar is already looking better. Looks like their grooming Kuba for a move too since he got the most PP time last night.

If we add some speed and skill up front, nothing fancy, Gonchar will be a 50 pt. player next season.

Hopefully, not in a Sens uniform. We are rebuilding. What's the point in him staying? To groom our younger defenceman? He hasn't done much of that so far.

If there's a deal to be had (read: sucker willing to take him), he really ought to go, especially if it looks like we won't be competing for a playoff spot next season. There's no point in having him on the books, especially if Melnyk is going to struggle to break even.

I just don't understand why people seem to think this guy is a lock for 50 points if we add some skill. He's past his prime, and doesn't give a damn. The only reason that he isn't crucified more than he is (and should be), is because everyone is too busy flogging Kovalev. If Gonchar is here next year, he's the town piñata for sure.

Actually, I'm pretty sure I called him garbage because he's been garbage this season. And I also don't believe in grooming young D. I said as much on this very website. That's for the coaches to do. But I do think that with better forwards he produces more.

I'm more inclined to keep Gonchar, I see us having to take back a crappy contract in return, might as well just keep our commitment to Sergei, I still think he can turn it around in the proper environment, ie. a better run PP.

Like spezd already pointed out, the return has to be huge. This team as a whole sucked this year, I'm sure Gonch would have been better say on the sharks. I'm nor for or against trading him but I put more value into what he brings to the table in both scenario then what is being said by half the peeps on this forum.

I also would look forward to seeing him play on a faster younger sens team next year. Alot can change in the summer, I'd hold on for now. Kuna on the other hand is dead to me.