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Source: New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche Inquire About Sergei Gonchar

February 8, 2011, 3:26 AM ET [ Comments]
Travis Yost
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Again, let me take a brief moment to remind you how I do the whole rumors ordeal - it's not my thing. There's plenty of blogs and sites that primarily focus on digging for rumors, and while I try to pass information along as it hits the news wire, I don't pretend to be someone I'm not - a someone that's "connected" to the National Hockey League. My job is to cover the team on all levels, period.

However, since I've been here for over a year now, a few people have gone out of their way to talk with me in large part to my objective blogging, and subsequently have become pretty reliable sources. The man passing today's news is none other than the same guy who confirmed the Roman Wick deal, the Jason Spezza non-move last season, and the draft day deal for David Rundblad. In short: The guy's proven himself, so it's worth (at the very least) passing along to you guys.

Now, with that brief disclaimer for the twice-a-year readers, let's get to the details. The Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers have both shown serious interest for aging defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Come again?

Contrary to popular belief, it appears that there is somewhat of a market for the talented but deteriorating Sergei Gonchar. The 36 year-old blue liner has always been an ultra-capable offensive player with incredible ice vision and the ability to thread the needle in the offensive zone, but has lost some of his flash and brilliance as he trends towards forty. He'd be a nice asset for a team making a run into the playoffs, but his price tag and term make him a pretty tough deadline sell. He's set to make $5.5M over the next three years, with his final year set for the 2012-2013 season. To make the situation even tougher, he's got a full NMC, which means he'd have to waive his rights in order for the Ottawa Senators to make a deal.

Yet, at 36, Gonchar claims day in and day out that he's still got the fire to win at the professional level, and there's no reason to believe otherwise. Perhaps it's been that kind of talk that's spurred recent inquiries from two teams with cap room and a dire need for a bolstered blue line in the Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers. Both teams are trending in the wrong direction as the playoffs draw near, and undoubtedly are seeking to get ahead of the game and beat others at the deadline who could force a team like Ottawa to price gauge with the added leverage.

There didn't figure to be a market for a player like Gonchar, who has struggled mightily at times in Ottawa, but the fact that at least two teams have been able to buy into his past success rather than current failure on one of the league's worst teams speaks volumes about Gonchar as a player. Unfortunately, the fact that more than one team has inquired doesn't necessarily signal added leverage for the Senators - according to the source, the deals for Gonchar currently being weighted don't involve anything that will blow away Sens Nation.

See, there's always two sides to the seesaw, and although the Blueshirts and Avalanche know that Gonchar's offensive prowess will help their scoring woes, they're also aware that he's limited in the defensive zone and his play in Ottawa has been, at times, sub-standard. On the year, Gonchar's racked up 22 points (6G/16A) in 54 games, but it's the -17 that stands out. Still, he's just one year removed from a 50 point season in just 62 GP.

Let's get a bit more in depth as to why the two aforementioned clubs would make serious inquires about Gonchar.


New York Rangers

It's panic time in New York. If you had the names "Brian Boyle" and "Brandon Prust" as your go-to scorers late in the game on a huge, huge power play against Detroit, you won! Tortorella is absolutely irate with his top-flight scorers, and much like Joe Sacco, wants to light a fire under his team. While Colorado is looking for the veteran defenseman, New York is looking for the patented power-play QB, and Sergei Gonchar's name has been at the top of that list for years. Right now, the New York Rangers rank 24th in the league on the man advantage, behind teams like Phoenix, Toronto, and Ottawa. A 15.7% conversion rate isn't going to cut it in Broadway, especially with the early season surge that teased the fan base into believing a playoff spot was inevitable. Now, it just seems hopeful.

For the first time in a while, the New York Rangers have a bit of cap space to play with, and you know Slats is going to work that to perfection. The guy might not have a nose for free agents, but he's a wizard at acquisitions through trading, and if he can get a devalued Sergei Gonchar before the deadline gauging begins, he will. A deal with New York, at least according to the source, would be a bit different than the one with Colorado. The Rangers are going to have to get a salary off of the books in order to make a bit of room for Gonchar's presence, but the two sides are already butting heads on the names. Knowing that they'll need to take back a number, Ottawa would prefer the young and talented Dan Girardi (3.3 through '13-'14), but New York's looking to entice the Senators in other directions.

One avenue discussed - the recently returned Vinny Prospal, another smaller contract, and a high draft pick. Another looked at - Chris Drury's bloated contract for another year and a half (7.5M through '11-'12, NMC!) paired with Ethan Werek (C) (or) Ryan McDonagh(D). Word is the Senators would much rather have talent up front, especially on the wings, considering their plethora of defensive prospects. Ottawa's also showing heavy interest in the talented two-way winger Ryan Callahan, but doesn't sound like New York's ready to budge on that quite yet. He's an RFA at the end of the season, though, so anything's possible, especially considering the fact that Dubinsky's due a new contract as well.

Assuming the latter of the three to not be true, the Rangers need Drury's number off of the books if they have any hopes of getting both Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky inked in the off-season. Fans in New York were hoping for a buyout of Drury's contract at the end of this year, but if Slats can find a way to deal the captain (and get him to waive a NMC, mind you), he'll do it. He'll get three notable numbers off the books next year in Frolov, Prospal, and and Fedotenko, but all three only total out to a bit over $6M. Plus, with New York in serious striking distance of the playoffs and money never being an object, you have to imagine ownership would like to return to the post-season.

Colorado Avalanche

Well, this one's pretty simple. The team is in an absolute free fall, and it's the punchless offense that's plaguing the club right now. With 56 points, the Avalanche are trailing 8th place Calgary by five points and are in real jeopardy of missing the playoffs after their strong campaign last season. The power play ranks just inside the top ten, an impressive feat considering how little money has been spent on the team this season, but the number is trending downwards in a hurry. A 3-7-0 record in the last ten games has caused a bit of panic in Denver, and have been shut out in two of their past three tilts.

Colorado has plenty of cap room - over $16M, to be more precise, and they're hoping that a defenseman with solid vision and a calm, collected demeanor can help jump start some of the young guns up front once again. The Avalanche would be willing to part with a first/second round pick, but would prefer to give a mid-level pick and one of their many defensive prospects away in return. Ottawa's very interested in Ryan Stoa and Joey Hishon, and a deal with one of those two would mean no significant draft pick coming back.

What does make this scenario a bit peculiar is the talent the Avalanche have in the back, especially when considering the rise in play from John-Michael Liles and outburst from Kevin Shattenkirk. Still, sounds like the front office doesn't want to sit on their hands and watch a season pass them by.

There you have it. Passing along the information, as promised. Remember, for any of this to happen, a lot of numbers will have to be moved around, and Sergei Gonchar still has that dreaded NMC that's seemingly handed out like candy to any player over thirty these days. So, grain of salt.
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