Trading the Gonch

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.

Flo The Action wrote: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.

tim1_2 wrote: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?