If we do trade for Gonchar, I don't see the Penguins trading any value for him.
We could use his leadership on the team, be a mentor/teacher to our D prospects in training camp/preseason.
____-Letang
Orpik-Gonchar
Niskanen-Engelland
While I don't know what the d pairings will look like the next time there is hockey, I do think Niskanen will be in the top 4. His play has only gotten better and he deserves a larger role. I'm sure a young guy will be paired with Engelland on the bottom pair (despres, bort,strait)
While I don't know what the d pairings will look like the next time there is hockey, I do think Niskanen will be in the top 4. His play has only gotten better and he deserves a larger role. I'm sure a young guy will be paired with Engelland on the bottom pair (despres, bort,strait)
Oh I agree completely, I just figured if we added Gonchar, Niskanen would solidify the 3rd pair. I don't know what the D pairs would look like either. If nobody wants a rookie on the 1st pair with Letang then one of Orpik, Gonchar or Niskanen will have to be there.
If we do trade for Gonchar, I don't see the Penguins trading any value for him.
We could use his leadership on the team, be a mentor/teacher to our D prospects in training camp/preseason.
____-Letang
Orpik-Gonchar
Niskanen-Engelland
Martin-Letang
Orpik-Sarge
Niskanen-Engelland
Sign me up. Martin was very good while he was along Letang last year, and Orpik has always been good along Gonchar. I really think that could be good enough to go deep in the playoffs with those pairs. Maybe get someone like Gill for the number 6 spot, but other than that, I really like those.
Oh I agree completely, I just figured if we added Gonchar, Niskanen would solidify the 3rd pair. I don't know what the D pairs would look like either. If nobody wants a rookie on the 1st pair with Letang then one of Orpik, Gonchar or Niskanen will have to be there.
Gonchar was paired with letang before but no one knows just how much gas he has left in the tank. Unless another very good d man is added the pens might just roll with 2 decent pairings as opposed to one #1 unit
Sign me up. Martin was very good while he was along Letang last year, and Orpik has always been good along Gonchar. I really think that could be good enough to go deep in the playoffs with those pairs. Maybe get someone like Gill for the number 6 spot, but other than that, I really like those.
Gill for the 6 spot? At this point in his career both Nisky and Engelland (the way he played last year) are much better options than Gill. That isn't even taking into account at some point these young d men need a chance to step up. And the 6 spot is where they would be
Not sure how I feel about bringing Sarge back, as he is very clearly over the hill. I like him more as a coach and a mentor than anything else, but him taking up a roster spot for a younger guy is not something I'm too keen on.
The beat goes on in terms of this organization bringing in veteran guys over giving young guys a shot if this report is true.
And isn't Garrioch pretty much Eklund with credentials?
Gill for the 6 spot? At this point in his career both Nisky and Engelland (the way he played last year) are much better options than Gill. That isn't even taking into account at some point these young d men need a chance to step up. And the 6 spot is where they would be
I meant someone like Gill (willing to block shots, hits, plays smart, ect.), not exactly Gill. I would have said Scuderi, but he costs (money wise) way to much. And Gill has only 1 year on his deal I believe, so that wouldn't be an issue. If he has 2, they need to stay as far away from that as possible. A few other ideas I had were Willie Mitchell, Mark Stuart and Ladislav Smid
Sign me up. Martin was very good while he was along Letang last year, and Orpik has always been good along Gonchar. I really think that could be good enough to go deep in the playoffs with those pairs. Maybe get someone like Gill for the number 6 spot, but other than that, I really like those.
I just don't see that defense being able to "go deep" in the playoffs. If they were to play a team like Philly, or any other physical team in the East, it'd be over.
There certainly is balance and experience in that lineup, but something irks me about it.
If that's what we had to go with though, I'd switch Gonch and Nisky.
IMHO, I see the Pens struggling defensively until the prospect pool comes up. Everyone can hate on DePo, but like Pierre said, the Pens are creating something dangerous in the backend.
I just don't see that defense being able to "go deep" in the playoffs. If they were to play a team like Philly, or any other physical team in the East, it'd be over.
There certainly is balance and experience in that lineup, but something irks me about it.
If that's what we had to go with though, I'd switch Gonch and Nisky.
IMHO, I see the Pens struggling defensively until the prospect pool comes up. Everyone can hate on DePo, but like Pierre said, the Pens are creating something dangerous in the backend.
The issue with the Pens toughness is that Cooke became soft last year, which really hurt our team toughness overall. I can understand why, he was at the gallows with the NHL, but we really need tough Cooke back. Other than him, our only remotely tough guys are Engo and Orpik. We need Mac Attack in the NHL
The issue with the Pens toughness is that Cooke became soft last year, which really hurt our team toughness overall. I can understand why, he was at the gallows with the NHL, but we really need tough Cooke back. Other than him, our only remotely tough guys are Engo and Orpik. We need Mac Attack in the NHL
The issue with the Pens toughness is that Cooke became soft last year, which really hurt our team toughness overall. I can understand why, he was at the gallows with the NHL, but we really need tough Cooke back. Other than him, our only remotely tough guys are Engo and Orpik. We need Mac Attack in the NHL
Cooke was playing with a pretty good balance by the end of the year imo.
Cooke still had lots of hits credited to him (160) and with a fraction of the minor penalties. And offensively he had a career year. I'd take that Cooke on my team over any previous incarnations.
Not sure how I feel about bringing Sarge back, as he is very clearly over the hill. I like him more as a coach and a mentor than anything else, but him taking up a roster spot for a younger guy is not something I'm too keen on.
The beat goes on in terms of this organization bringing in veteran guys over giving young guys a shot if this report is true.
And isn't Garrioch pretty much Eklund with credentials?
I watched the Rangers/Sens series pretty closely. Gonchar can still be effective in a limited role. PP specialist.
Martin-Letang
Orpik-Niskanen
Gonchar-Engelland
And as you said, he'd be a great mentor for our young defensemen. Especially for a guy like Morrow.
I watched the Rangers/Sens series pretty closely. Gonchar can still be effective in a limited role. PP specialist.
Martin-Letang
Orpik-Niskanen
Gonchar-Engelland
And as you said, he'd be a great mentor for our young defensemen. Especially for a guy like Morrow.
2 NHL defensemen have to be traded if we signed Sarge. Letang, Martin, Orpik, Niskanen, Gonchar, Engelland, Bortuzzo, Strait, and Lovejoy are the NHL'ers we got.
Lovejoy would probably be the obvious one. I'd also imagine Strait or Bortuzzo would be the other.
2 NHL defensemen have to be traded if we signed Sarge. Letang, Martin, Orpik, Niskanen, Gonchar, Engelland, Bortuzzo, Strait, and Lovejoy are the NHL'ers we got.
Lovejoy would probably be the obvious one. I'd also imagine Strait or Bortuzzo would be the other.
I think moving one of Strait/Bortuzzo and a mid pick would get it done. Especially if Sens management gets the feeling they'll lose him in free agency. Might as well get a young D-man with upside for him.
Lovejoy will be gone either way IMO. We have no need for him. I'm sure several teams looking for a 6/7 D-man would be interested.
I can't say that I don't see the good in bringing Sarge back, because I have already stated the mentoring aspect, and I also feel he could help the powerplay. How much he could help, I'm not real sure, as with him on the PP in his last season here, I have never been more frustrated watching any unit.
Very torn on bringing him back. Regardless of whether it's a good hockey more or not is to be seen, but can't doubt it'd be a great story.
I wouldn't give Ottawa a young NHL defenseman and a pick. I'd give them what we gave them for Kovalev.
I watched the Rangers/Sens series pretty closely. Gonchar can still be effective in a limited role. PP specialist.
Martin-Letang
Orpik-Niskanen
Gonchar-Engelland
And as you said, he'd be a great mentor for our young defensemen. Especially for a guy like Morrow.
No way in hell does Niskanen play in the top-4 while Gonch doesn't. Gonch has good chemistry with Orpik, he played with him for like 5 years. And Niskanen has always been the 5th D, we don't know if he will be able to handle a top-4 role. Gonchar will be able to handle that. Niskanen is a very steady D, but people are riding his jock so hard here. Yes, he could probably be a 2nd pair D, but putting him in front of Gonchar...just no.
No way in hell does Niskanen play in the top-4 while Gonch doesn't. Gonch has good chemistry with Orpik, he played with him for like 5 years. And Niskanen has always been the 5th D, we don't know if he will be able to handle a top-4 role. Gonchar will be able to handle that. Niskanen is a very steady D, but people are riding his jock so hard here. Yes, he could probably be a 2nd pair D, but putting him in front of Gonchar...just no.
Niskanen played a lot in the top 4 last season and did just fine. I wouldn't be against giving him more responsibility, and giving Sarge the easy mins to keep him fresh.
Gonchar now is not the same one that was here 2 years ago. I wouldn't want him playing 20+ mins a game.
I can't say that I don't see the good in bringing Sarge back, because I have already stated the mentoring aspect, and I also feel he could help the powerplay. How much he could help, I'm not real sure, as with him on the PP in his last season here, I have never been more frustrated watching any unit.
Very torn on bringing him back. Regardless of whether it's a good hockey more or not is to be seen, but can't doubt it'd be a great story.
I wouldn't give Ottawa a young NHL defenseman and a pick. I'd give them what we gave them for Kovalev.
Kovalev and Gonchar are COMPLETELY different situations. Kovalev was having a bad year and they were out of the playoffs. Gonchar just had a rebound year last year (40 or so points), and is essential to their blue line now that Cowen in out for the season. Not to mention that the Sens have a good shot at making the playoffs. And you think we could get him for a 7th round pick?
No way in hell does Niskanen play in the top-4 while Gonch doesn't. Gonch has good chemistry with Orpik, he played with him for like 5 years. And Niskanen has always been the 5th D, we don't know if he will be able to handle a top-4 role. Gonchar will be able to handle that. Niskanen is a very steady D, but people are riding his jock so hard here. Yes, he could probably be a 2nd pair D, but putting him in front of Gonchar...just no.
Trading Michalek all but assured Niskanen is getting a top 4 role this year. I'd bring Gonch back as a PP specialist, if he outplays Niskanen at ES then great.
And people on here "ride his jack so hard" b/c he was our only consistent D-man in the Philly series aside from Letang. And he played 20+ minutes quite a bit last year. Getting 1st unit PP time and going up against the tough matchups in the postseason. It is what it is. The kid's rebounded here and I'd like to see what he can do as our #4.
