Someone, get me alcohol. Lots of alcohol.

[Urkie]

Hammyhouse 4.5
Volchenkov 4.25
Gonchar 5.5 and a NTC.

Motherfucking, shit-ass, piss, hell fucking GOD DAMMIT!!

*BLAM* *BLAM* *BLAM*

Sabre fans need to STFU about bad GMs. Seriously. Don't even go there.

If he was going to let Volchenkov walk then he should have tried to replace him somewhat. If he had managed to sign Z. Michalek I would have been happy because he's a guy that is more rounded then Volchenkov.

But Gonchar? He's a big time risk. Yeah, he could be good and he'll help out the power play but I'm convinced that is all he can do at this point. And the fact that we already have Karlsson on the team plus some big time defensive prospects on the way makes this unecessary.

On the other hand. We haven't had a guy like Gonchar since Redden so maybe it might work out. But I can't say I ever thought Gonchar would be on the Sens. After some thought I'm going to hold off on judgment because I've been saying for 2 or 3 years that we needed that one power play quarterback and now we might have one.

 

[JustAsking]

I'm torn on this deal as well. I know Gonch wants to play in the Olympics in 4 yrs, so he wants to be playing hockey and playing well still. I think he won't fade away as he grows older, he will want to play at a high level, just depends on if his body allows it. I know his heart and mind won't call it quits. The money is what I question, not the lenght.

 

[TOX1]

I got plenty.

I had a feeling you had a fucking hole in your head!!!

 

[IPostedWhat]

I had a feeling you had a fucking hole in your head!!!

Its get beer to brain good fast, so I thunk well.

 

[Darkstone42]

I'm going to pull a Jimmy here.

But I'm sitting now at the bar,
I'm getting drunk, I'm feelin' mellow
I'm drinkin' bourbon, I'm drinkin' scotch, I'm drinkin' beer
Looked down the bar, here come the bartender
I said "Look man, come down here"
So what you want?

One bourbon, one scotch, one beer
No I ain't seen my baby since the night before last,
Gotta get a drink man I'm gonna get gassed
Gonna get high man I ain't had enough,
Need me a triple shot of that stuff
Gonna get drunk won't you listen right here,
I want one bourbon, one shot and one beer
One bourbon, one scotch, one beer

 

[Darkstone42]

Also, this:

 

[Jimmy_the_Tongue]

As a Pens fan...I'm gonna miss Gonchar....but the contract you guys gave him makes me miss him a little bit less...I'm glad he did well for himself...but not at our expense...

 

[forty_three]

If he was going to let Volchenkov walk then he should have tried to replace him somewhat. If he had managed to sign Z. Michalek I would have been happy because he's a guy that is more rounded then Volchenkov.

But Gonchar? He's a big time risk. Yeah, he could be good and he'll help out the power play but I'm convinced that is all he can do at this point. And the fact that we already have Karlsson on the team plus some big time defensive prospects on the way makes this unecessary.

On the other hand. We haven't had a guy like Gonchar since Redden so maybe it might work out. But I can't say I ever thought Gonchar would be on the Sens. After some thought I'm going to hold off on judgment because I've been saying for 2 or 3 years that we needed that one power play quarterback and now we might have one.

Three years for an old fuck and a NTC? That's how you get ANYONE to come to the Sens.

I soured on Gonchar during the Caps run to (And eventual dismantling in) the Finals. He, even back then, was clearly a guy who wanted to be a winger and wasn't good enough so he got stuck on defense. Even with Phil Housley next to him, he was a liability. Now, he's 13 years older, has been hurt much of the last two years and is far slower than he used to be. He will not block a shot, he will not go into a corner and he won't clear the front of the net.

The Sens just lost Volchenkov and Sutton. Who's going to protect their goalie? Kuba?

You can try to sunshine and lollipop it all you want, but the fact is no player in NHL history except possibly Gordie Howe has played at 39 as well as they did at 32. And Gonchar was shit at 32. And with a fat contract and a locker room that won't hold him accountable?

This is the Sens' Hindenburg moment.

Let's not even talk about a 5.5 cap hit when Phillips hits UFA next year. And Karlsson looks for a raise the one after. And both of their goalies a FA next summer too. Kovy will retire and Alfie will be getting close as well. They are looking at needing big time help and having probably 4m cap space to do it with...

Let it sink in. This is Phillips' last season in Ottawa. Or one or two of those D prospects and probably Foligno will have to go.

 

[Urkie]

Let it sink in. This is Phillips' last season in Ottawa. Or one or two of those D prospects and probably Foligno will have to go.

Kovalev's deal is done after next year so that will free up some space for Phillips. But the Sens will be pretty weak up front and they won't have a lot of money to deal with that. Kuba will most likely be traded next summer though.

Plus I bet you Gonchar plays with Phillips next year. Maybe they'll be a good fit together.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Hammyhouse 4.5
Volchenkov 4.25
Gonchar 5.5 and a NTC.

Motherfucking, shit-ass, piss, hell fucking GOD DAMMIT!!

*BLAM* *BLAM* *BLAM*

Sabre fans need to STFU about bad GMs. Seriously. Don't even go there.

Hey 43, can we agree they both suck but considering the Sens have owned the Sabres the last few years it's safe to say our GM suck's "better" than your GM.

 

[DevilishWon]

Thanks 43....looking forward to the A-Train clearing teh crease area for years to come in Devils Red!

 

[forty_three]

Thanks 43....looking forward to the A-Train clearing teh crease area for years to come in Devils Red!

So totally not fair. Take the best goalie ever and put a guy in front of him who's going to eat 10 - 15 shots a game.

 

[Urkie]

The Gonchar deal is growing on me be the day forty. I think he really is going to light it up in Ottawa. Especially with Phillips as his partner who's one of the most underrated dmen in the entire league.

And the Kuba/Karlsson pairing had some really good success last year as well. You saw it first hand and even commented on it. I like the move from toughness to quick puck movement. It's something this team has really lacked and it's one of the reasons they haven't been able to score as many goals the last few years. Now they will be able to play up tempo hockey and be able to push the pace. The last two years the defense was too slow and tough. Now it might be a little too offensive and soft. However, Phillips is pretty tough and so is Carkner obviously. Plus I bet you Cowen makes the team which will make the d a little tougher.

But Murray actually addressed a need this time because I don't think a 20 year old defensemen should carry the load offensively from the back. Karlsson's should be eased in a bit more and Gonchar will allow that to happen.

 

[Darkstone42]

 

[Vadered]

 

[KennyBanyeah]

This move is pure risk reward. The risk is big as is the potential rewards.

One the up side, I can now see the Sens playing a really nice possession, up-tempo game. Gonchar has always had a very good first pass. I really like the prospect of Spezz, Regin, Foligno, Alfie, Michalek and Fisher getting the puck in full stride through the neutral zone.

On the other side of the coin, I don't like the idea of a no-hitter in our end. What could be troubling about this deal is that Carkner might be forced into playing too much. I actually like Carkner for what he is: a 6-7 defenseman who plays 12-15 minutes a night. Put him out there for 18+ minutes and he breaks down. With no one outside of Phillips there to punish crease-crashers, Clouston could be forced to put Carkner out there a little too much on some nights. It would be nice to see Sutton return at the right price.

We'll see how this pans out for the first 2 years. The third year is likely to be ugly on the Gonchar front.

Murray needs to hit the river on this one; he's all in and he better hit the right card.

 

[Urkie]

On the other side of the coin, I don't like the idea of a no-hitter in our end. What could be troubling about this deal is that Carkner might be forced into playing too much. I actually like Carkner for what he is: a 6-7 defenseman who plays 12-15 minutes a night. Put him out there for 18+ minutes and he breaks down. With no one outside of Phillips there to punish crease-crashers, Clouston could be forced to put Carkner out there a little too much on some nights. It would be nice to see Sutton return at the right price.

Carkner will play where he belongs. On the third pairing or as the guy sitting up in the press box.

Gonchar will play with Phillips who is tougher then people give him credit for. That pairing won't have that much of a problem I don't think.

Karlsson and Kuba may have problems but they seemed to do fine last season when they were together.

Then the third pairing will probably have Carkner and Cowen on it as I don't think Campoli will be a Senator next season. And that pairing is pretty tough.

But how far did that toughness on the back end get us last year? Not very and look at the teams that had success? They aren't built with 3 or 4 tough dmen. They have 3 or 4 really good puck movers and 2 or 3 guys who are just good all around dmen.

Gonchar is much more valuable to a team then Volchenkov is imo. You look around the league and there really aren't that many elite puck moving defensemen who can also be a PP quarterback.

We'll see how this pans out for the first 2 years. The third year is likely to be ugly on the Gonchar front.

It's a bit of a risk but Gonchar said he wanted to play in the 2014 Olympics so I'm sure he's going to stay in shape the next 3 or 4 years. Plus giving him that third year was the only way Murray was going to get him to sign so he had to give him that third season.

To me this is important though because had Gonchar not been signed then Karlsson would have been forced into quickly developing rather then being brought in slowly. This will be good for Karlsson's development to learn from Gonchar and be brought into a bigger role more slowly. Then in a couple years he'll have more experience under his belt and he'll be a better player because of it. Lots of young d have been rushed and it ruined them. This way Karlsson won't be rushed.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Carkner will play where he belongs. On the third pairing or as the guy sitting up in the press box.

Gonchar will play with Phillips who is tougher then people give him credit for. That pairing won't have that much of a problem I don't think.

Karlsson and Kuba may have problems but they seemed to do fine last season when they were together.

Then the third pairing will probably have Carkner and Cowen on it as I don't think Campoli will be a Senator next season. And that pairing is pretty tough.

But how far did that toughness on the back end get us last year? Not very and look at the teams that had success? They aren't built with 3 or 4 tough dmen. They have 3 or 4 really good puck movers and 2 or 3 guys who are just good all around dmen.

Gonchar is much more valuable to a team then Volchenkov is imo. You look around the league and there really aren't that many elite puck moving defensemen who can also be a PP quarterback.



It's a bit of a risk but Gonchar said he wanted to play in the 2014 Olympics so I'm sure he's going to stay in shape the next 3 or 4 years. Plus giving him that third year was the only way Murray was going to get him to sign so he had to give him that third season.

To me this is important though because had Gonchar not been signed then Karlsson would have been forced into quickly developing rather then being brought in slowly. This will be good for Karlsson's development to learn from Gonchar and be brought into a bigger role more slowly. Then in a couple years he'll have more experience under his belt and he'll be a better player because of it. Lots of young d have been rushed and it ruined them. This way Karlsson won't be rushed.

I agree with most of this Urkie. The cap hit is high but shielding Karlsson for the next couple of years will probably help his development AND keep his numbers down a bit. This will in turn make it easier to get him at a good price in two years.

I don't think Cowen makes the team next year though. Wiercioch is closer to being NHL ready from what I've read. Lee is more NHL ready too and is on a guaranteed one-way contract.

This probably spells the end for Campoli as a Senator; his skill set is no longer really needed. I'm hoping the top 7 next year gets played like this:

Phillips - Gonchar
Karlsson - Kuba
Wiercioch - Lee - Carkner

That looks alright to me.

I was sad to see Volchenkov leave. He was one of my all-time favourite Sens. It will be interesting to see how well he plays without the luxury of having the always-in-position Phillips riding shotgun. IMO Phillips has always been the better of the two, but really it was that PAIR that was so good. Volchie will always be a valuable player (when in the lineup), but we'll have to see how well he does with the Devils and a new D partner. I wish him the best no matter how the Sens D performs this year.

Gonchar put up 50 points in 62 games last year; if he can get 55 in 75 games this year, this was a productive signing.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

On a side note, the signing of Gonchar has to have the Sens forwards feeling pretty happy. I predict 90+ points for Spezz this year and a breakthrough season for Regin, who should get 50-60 points. His speed should fit well with Gonchar, Karlsson and Kuba feeding him pucks for a full season.

 

[forty_three]

The Gonchar deal is growing on me be the day forty. I think he really is going to light it up in Ottawa.

What flavor is the Kool-aid this year, Urk? Maybe a nice pineapple smash for a change...

What could be troubling about this deal is that Carkner might be forced into playing too much.

Ed Zachary. The entire defensive corp, only two guys can and will hit. One will spend all of his time being the defensive conscience of Gonchar and the other shouldn't be out there for more than (IMO) ten minutes a night. Support of the goalie has been an issue. Yeah, if the puck is free in the corner, Gonchar can make a beautiful pass. But what if it's not. Who on the team will go get it? Or dig it out of the scrum in front?

Foligno. Neil. Ruutu. Probably don't want those guys playing much more than they have been.

Gonchar is much more valuable to a team then Volchenkov is imo.

Gonna bookmark that one. We'll ask Devils and Pens fans at the halfway point.

This will be good for Karlsson's development to learn from Gonchar

That is the LAST thing on this earth you want. Karlsson can be great. If Gonchar is his mentor, all he's going to learn is how to smoke hand-rolled unfiltered cigarettes, sleep til noon and get into trouble with Russian loan sharks.

It's a bit of a risk but Gonchar said he wanted to play in the 2014 Olympics so I'm sure he's going to stay in shape the next 3 or 4 years.

And I want to stay in shape to fuck Ashley Judd. Doesn't mean I have a prayer of it happening. In 08-09 he played 25 games. In 19 - 10 he played 62. He will never see more than 65 games ever again.