Sergei Gonchar: Is he done?

[Urkie]

I was just thinking about how disappointing the guy has been this year. My thoughts coming into the season were that he would definitely help the power play and just be okay defensively. Well, he's been dreadful defensively and he's given the power play minimal help.

Just look at these numbers:

In 35 games played he has 4 goals, 12 assists and is a -19

So I would definitely classify that as a bust considering he's being paid 5.5 million a season. He's been the one defensemen on the team that has really cost the team time and time again.

I just wanted to ask this question though. Is he done? Or is he just on the wrong team?

My thoughts are that he's not the player he used to be plus I feel like the Sens just aren't a good fit for him. What do you think? I'd like to hear from Pens fans especially.

 

[evolver115]

He was a defensive liability last season. Sarge just didn't have the same jump in his game he used to have. Gonchar was never a great defensive-defenceman to begin with, and his D ability didn't age like a fine wine. More like a skunked bottle of Old-E.

His greatest asset is his puck moving ability, particularly on the power play. I've never seen any hockey player who can skate with the puck as well as Sarge. He never looks down! It's like his stick has a magnet in it that holds the puck in place.

In the right system, where the D is activated often in the offensive zone, he can be very effective. Sarge still has a super and accurate shot from the blue-line.

When he was paired up with a guy like Orpik or Scuderi, which both of those guys were/are very responsible in their own zone, it gave Sarge some leeway. Maybe he doesn't have it with the Sens.

 

[pixburgher66]

Well...it actually makes me quite sad to see him doing so poorly. He was a great player and leader while he was on the Pens. However, his first year with the team was horrible. Maybe it's a transition period he has to go through, but I wouldn't give up on him yet. The salary was gonna be too much no matter how he played really...the deal was bad, and everyone knew that when it broke on free agency day. I think he's still got something in the tank, but he's certainly gotta find the right D partner and gain some comfort before he flourishes...that's what it took for him in Pitt.

 

[Urkie]

He was a defensive liability last season. Sarge just didn't have the same jump in his game he used to have. Gonchar was never a great defensive-defenceman to begin with, and his D ability didn't age like a fine wine. More like a skunked bottle of Old-E.

His greatest asset is his puck moving ability, particularly on the power play. I've never seen any hockey player who can skate with the puck as well as Sarge. He never looks down! It's like his stick has a magnet in it that holds the puck in place.

In the right system, where the D is activated often in the offensive zone, he can be very effective. Sarge still has a super and accurate shot from the blue-line.

When he was paired up with a guy like Orpik or Scuderi, which both of these guys were very responsible in their own zone, it gave Sarge some leeway. Maybe he doesn't have it with the Sens.

He played with our best defensive dman in Phillips for the first couple months. Thing is, Phillips is also having a bit of a bad season as well. But as soon as he was paired with somebody other then Gonch, he started to play better. I don't think that's really a coincidence.

What I will say is that Clouston's system doesn't mesh well with Gonchar's game. It's designed more for dmen like Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov and Andy Sutton.

 

[evolver115]

He played with our best defensive dman in Phillips for the first couple months. Thing is, Phillips is also having a bit of a bad season as well. But as soon as he was paired with somebody other then Gonch, he started to play better. I don't think that's really a coincidence.

What I will say is that Clouston's system doesn't mesh well with Gonchar's game. It's designed more for dmen like Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov and Andy Sutton.

And that could be the root of the problem, right there. Sarge was active in the offensive zone often under Therrien, and even more under Bylsma. His defence was never good. Couldn't box out in front of the net, wasn't physical with the opponent and wasn't quick enough in transition to stay in front of skill players.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Gonchar is really good in a free wheeling system. If Ottawa isn't going to open it up then they aren't utilizing him to his full abilities. I still don't like the contract though.

 

[Urkie]

And that could be the root of the problem, right there. Sarge was active in the offensive zone often under Therrien, and even more under Bylsma. His defence was never good. Couldn't box out in front of the net, wasn't physical with the opponent and wasn't quick enough in transition to stay in front of skill players.

That very well could be possible because he's hardly been noticable at all in the offensive zone. Clouston needs to stop tightening his grip on him and let him do his thing. That's the only way he's going to be effective.

Right now I feel like he's sucking the offense right out of the team though. Yeah, it's good to play sound defensive hockey but not when you have a team that isn't structured that way.

 

[Urkie]

Gonchar is really good in a free wheeling system. If Ottawa isn't going to open it up then they aren't utilizing him to his full abilities. I still don't like the contract though.

That's my biggest beef with Clouston right now. He's not using players in a way they should be used.

The only guys that are being used right are players like Neil, Kelly, etc. He has to let guys like Spezza, Kovalev and Alfie be more aggressive offensively rather then passive. Offense should be the strength of the team because they're never going to be a defensive dynamo.

If they wanted to be then why was Volchenkov let go?

 

[dash]

To quote Dave 'Tiger' Williams - He's done like dinner

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

That's my biggest beef with Clouston right now. He's not using players in a way they should be used.

The only guys that are being used right are players like Neil, Kelly, etc. He has to let guys like Spezza, Kovalev and Alfie be more aggressive offensively rather then passive. Offense should be the strength of the team because they're never going to be a defensive dynamo.

If they wanted to be then why was Volchenkov let go?

Kovalev & defense don't mix.

 

[Jimmy_the_Tongue]

I'm suprised he's lasted this long....going just from memory....it seems like he was with Washington for a looong time before he even came to Pittsburgh...and he had those years in Pittsburgh...if he's not done just yet nobody should be suprised if he isn't soon...

 

[dash]

I don't know if it makes you feel any better Urkie, but Craig Conroy was done two seasons ago, yet he still manages to get into the Flames lineup every once in a while. If that isn't an indictment of the Flames forwards skill level, nothing is.

 

[Urkie]

Kovalev & defense don't mix.

Nope...lol

Could say that about a couple other players on the team too...

 

[Urkie]

I don't know if it makes you feel any better Urkie, but Craig Conroy was done two seasons ago, yet he still manages to get into the Flames lineup every once in a while. If that isn't an indictment of the Flames forwards skill level, nothing is.

Not really...lol

But that's only because the Sens are probably stuck with Gonchar and his 5.5 mil cap hit for this season plus the 2 after this.

 

[Automattic]

I hope he is not done. Brian Rafalski is starting to look more and more like him everyday... Unless you know who is at his side anyway.

 

[Urkie]

I hope he is not done. Brian Rafalski is starting to look more and more like him everyday... Unless you know who is at his side anyway.

He can't be as bad as Gonchar has been this year...

I've definitely noticed Rafalski's game decline recently though.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

He can't be as bad as Gonchar has been this year...

I've definitely noticed Rafalski's game decline recently though.

Eventually we all get old. Not everybody can play like Lidstrom & Chelios.

 

[filosofy29]

He can't be as bad as Gonchar has been this year...

I've definitely noticed Rafalski's game decline recently though.

Rafalski is second only to Brian Campbell (as far as I've seen) about being a huge pussmarsh when it comes to taking a hit. They both duck and dodge like no other when their is any remote sense of forechecking pressure. Rafalski's biggest (on the defensive side of the puck) asset is his ability to move the puck up to the forwards quickly, his play anticipation/reads and his positioning. He gets manhandled by any and everybody, he cannot box out forwards to save his life and he refuses to take a hit to make a play. And believe you me, when it comes to knowledge about watching pussmarsh's, I know my shit.....I'm a Sharks fan.

 

[Automattic]

You need to clarify exactly how big the gap is between Raffy and Soupy.



I wasn't bagging on Rafalski thaaat bad...

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

Remember when Sid, aside from walking on water, also was responsible for turning Gonchar into a high scoring defenseman?

ahhh... the good old days at the swamp...