John Toperzer: Gonchar vote, Lebrun's NHL changes dissected, IIHF begins Vote mixed on the possible reunion of Sergei Gonchar and Pittsburgh

John Toperzer: Gonchar vote, Lebrun's NHL changes dissected, IIHF begins
Vote mixed on the possible reunion of Sergei Gonchar and Pittsburgh
- the-mitch-wilsons

Are you on crack?

Personally, I feel like the Pens need an NHL-ready offensive defenseman and Gonchar fits that bill for one year. When Matt Niskanen is your second best offensive blueliner you can use the help, if only for 2012-13.

When your team led the regular season, then led the playoffs, in goals for per game offense is not your problem.

When your team had the 15 worst goals against per game in the regular season, then had the worst goals against in the playoffs, defense is your problem.

So the solution to improving the Pens and making them a better team is to bring in a guy who can get points, but gives up just as many due to his poor defensive play? Good luck!

2. Ensure realignment happens in 2013-14.

I don’t have a problem with the current alignment.

- John Toperzer

Of course you don't. Teams like Pittsburgh in the Atlantic division are right next door to the other teams in their division. The light travel schedule works in favor of my Flyers, too.

But teams like Dallas and Winnipeg face a disadvantage that is simply unfair and can definitely be corrected.

Of course you don't. Teams like Pittsburgh in the Atlantic division are right next door to the other teams in their division. The light travel schedule works in favor of my Flyers, too.

But teams like Dallas and Winnipeg face a disadvantage that is simply unfair and can definitely be corrected.
- Coburns_Nose

Wasn't that the players problem with the proposed realignment? Too much travel?

Wasn't that the players problem with the proposed realignment? Too much travel?
- brianb0422

Maybe. Probably the ones with very little travel complained that they would have more travel. The idea is to balance things out. Spoiled brats.

Are you on crack?




When your team led the regular season, then led the playoffs, in goals for per game offense is not your problem.

When your team had the 15 worst goals against per game in the regular season, then had the worst goals against in the playoffs, defense is your problem.

So the solution to improving the Pens and making them a better team is to bring in a guy who can get points, but gives up just as many due to his poor defensive play? Good luck!
- systemtool

Hate to disagree with John, but you're 100% correct. Preventing goals was the BIG issue down the stretch and especially the playoffs. The Pens need a good stay at home guy.....preferably with an attitude. Don't think Sarge fits that bill.

Hate to disagree with John, but you're 100% correct. Preventing goals was the BIG issue down the stretch and especially the playoffs. The Pens need a good stay at home guy.....preferably with an attitude. Don't think Sarge fits that bill.
- madmike71

You could trade for Zbynek Michalek!

sorry, weird double post

Hate to disagree with John, but you're 100% correct. Preventing goals was the BIG issue down the stretch and especially the playoffs. The Pens need a good stay at home guy.....preferably with an attitude. Don't think Sarge fits that bill.
- madmike71

Yup. Exactly.

You could trade for Zbynek Michalek!
- Coburns_Nose

Well.... he fit the bill as a stay at home type. Not exactly nasty. I don't think anybody around here wanted him to leave. We pretty much thought they shipped the wrong guy out, but Martin and contract were probably untradeable. Z didn't have the greatest time here, but apparently the coaches demanded he change his game a bit.....with not much success unfortunately.

Hate to disagree with John, but you're 100% correct. Preventing goals was the BIG issue down the stretch and especially the playoffs. The Pens need a good stay at home guy.....preferably with an attitude. Don't think Sarge fits that bill.
- madmike71

You're in the 36 percent camp of keeping Gonchar away.

Wanting Gonchar doesn't preclude the Pens from acquiring a Rob Scuderi-type (not that he's available til next year).

Lord knows the Pens' team defense & Fleury caused the quick demise of their playoff hopes.

PS -- While I would want Gonchar back primarily as a power-play specialist, I do question the wear and tear he's taking in the K right now (even though it's not as tough as the NHL).

You're in the 36 percent camp of keeping Gonchar away.

Wanting Gonchar doesn't preclude the Pens from acquiring a Rob Scuderi-type (not that he's available til next year).

Lord knows the Pens' team defense & Fleury caused the quick demise of their playoff hopes.

PS -- While I would want Gonchar back primarily as a power-play specialist, I do question the wear and tear he's taking in the K right now (even though it's not as tough as the NHL).
- the-mitch-wilsons

The point is, that getting Gonchar makes your team even worse than it has been defensively, despite putting up points. And points is not something this team has been hard to come by, considering they were 1st in the regular season and playoffs in goals for.

If Letang gets hurt this team NEEDS a guy like Gonchar. I also think Letang could learn a thing or two from him.

Gonch would probably come with a low risk 1 or 2 year deal. If he's cheap on the cap, why not?

You're in the 36 percent camp of keeping Gonchar away.

Wanting Gonchar doesn't preclude the Pens from acquiring a Rob Scuderi-type (not that he's available til next year).

Lord knows the Pens' team defense & Fleury caused the quick demise of their playoff hopes.

PS -- While I would want Gonchar back primarily as a power-play specialist, I do question the wear and tear he's taking in the K right now (even though it's not as tough as the NHL).
- the-mitch-wilsons

That whole "specialist" thing never really works out. Especially for defensman. Then you're talking about dressing 7 D. I'd love to see Gonchar quarterbacking the PP, but it scares the hell out of me seeing him getting a regular role. He was getting real shaky (defensively) when he left and I watched him with the Sens and it sure isn't any better.

You're point about team defense is well taken. It wasn't just a failure of the blueliners and MAF. The forwards and therefor the coaches deserve much of the blame as well for that Flyers series meltdown.

The point is, that getting Gonchar makes your team even worse than it has been defensively, despite putting up points. And points is not something this team has been hard to come by, considering they were 1st in the regular season and playoffs in goals for.
- systemtool

Your point of view is well taken and I can't disagree with it.

I also like that the guy on your avatar picture tried out for the Steelers!

Cheers!

Your point of view is well taken and I can't disagree with it.

I also like that the guy on your avatar picture tried out for the Steelers!

Cheers!
- the-mitch-wilsons

4 touchdowns in one game!!! Polk High baby!

Yea, not a lot of people know he actually did play a little football in RL.

If Letang gets hurt this team NEEDS a guy like Gonchar. I also think Letang could learn a thing or two from him.

Gonch would probably come with a low risk 1 or 2 year deal. If he's cheap on the cap, why not?
- Coburns_Nose

It's a good point about Letang. The Pens really missed him when he was out last season. Most of us are hoping Morrow will be ready sooner rather than later. That kid looked good in camp last year.

I could see Sarge as a deadline acquisition. I just don't see him playing a regular role through a tough NHL season even on the cheap. Especially when their biggest void is getting more stout on the blueline....in my opinion.

That whole "specialist" thing never really works out. Especially for defensman. Then you're talking about dressing 7 D. I'd love to see Gonchar quarterbacking the PP, but it scares the hell out of me seeing him getting a regular role. He was getting real shaky (defensively) when he left and I watched him with the Sens and it sure isn't any better.

You're point about team defense is well taken. It wasn't just a failure of the blueliners and MAF. The forwards and therefor the coaches deserve much of the blame as well for that Flyers series meltdown.
- madmike71

Agree with you.

Fortunately, Orpik will actually be healthy for the first time in three seasons. Letang's cobwebs should be cleared out -- til his next mach-speed collision. Those two should be stronger defensively.

Lovejoy, Engelland, Martin, they're all fungible anyhow and I'm not sure Gonchar is all that much of a drop-off, thereby making his power-play abilities a worthwhile reach.

Bortuzzo seems like he would benefit from regular shifts as a defensive defender. Despres isn't tearing up the AHL and he's not a defensive whiz, anyhow. Morrow is struggling just for playing time and isn't doing well, according to Molinari's prospects report.

Let's hope something comes of this afternoon's news.

4 touchdowns in one game!!! Polk High baby!

Yea, not a lot of people know he actually did play a little football in RL.
- systemtool

He's a lucky guy on Modern Family, too

dear goodness, NO GONCHAR. I understand that some people want him for the powerplay, but he is just not good anymore. Give Nisk some more time on the PP. Also give Morrow another year to develop. Free agency is also just around the corner with there being a limited or no regular season

Agree with you.

Fortunately, Orpik will actually be healthy for the first time in three seasons. Letang's cobwebs should be cleared out -- til his next mach-speed collision. Those two should be stronger defensively.

Lovejoy, Engelland, Martin, they're all fungible anyhow and I'm not sure Gonchar is all that much of a drop-off, thereby making his power-play abilities a worthwhile reach.

Bortuzzo seems like he would benefit from regular shifts as a defensive defender. Despres isn't tearing up the AHL and he's not a defensive whiz, anyhow. Morrow is struggling just for playing time and isn't doing well, according to Molinari's prospects report.

Let's hope something comes of this afternoon's news.
- the-mitch-wilsons

Amen to that brother! Now that the holidays are just about over and the Steelers ARE over, it's going to be a damn boring winter around here with no hockey.

Good effort by USA today by the way! Game could have gone either way.

The point is, that getting Gonchar makes your team even worse than it has been defensively, despite putting up points. And points is not something this team has been hard to come by, considering they were 1st in the regular season and playoffs in goals for.
- systemtool

Gonchar isn't worse than Lovejoy defensively so not sure how it would make the team worse.

It's also insurance if Letang misses extended periods of time like he has recently.

Gonchar being the 6th defenseman on a Penguins team isn't the worst thing ever.

It all depends on the cost of acquiring and where the cap is.

One of the problems with the defence was that certain players (Martin, Michalek) were easily outmuscled, and either beaten to loose pucks or couldn't get control of it. Acquiring Gonchar would add to that problem.

One of the problems with the defence was that certain players (Martin, Michalek) were easily outmuscled, and either beaten to loose pucks or couldn't get control of it. Acquiring Gonchar would add to that problem.
- TheRollingPuck

Maybe the problem that the Penguin's defensemen had is that they didn't get enough support from the forwards? I know that Philly lost to NJD because our forwards weren't good enough without the puck.

One of the problems with the defence was that certain players (Martin, Michalek) were easily outmuscled, and either beaten to loose pucks or couldn't get control of it. Acquiring Gonchar would add to that problem.
- TheRollingPuck

Michalek went down more than Brittney Spears in her "Hit Me Baby One More Time" phase. He sucked. Gonch for right price only or a middling prospect. A stout, sturdy stay at home defenseman who can skate would be much preferable. I understand that the league has made an offer to the players. [Yawn.]