There are reports all over the internet and radio this morning that the Penguins have traded Sergei Gonchar’s negotiating rights to the San Jose Sharks. This would give the Sharks exclusive rights to negotiate with Gonchar up until July 1st. This would also mean that Ray Shero and Gonchar’s negotiations have hit an impass.
Gonchar had a no-trade contract with the Penguins and this would have had to have been agreed upon by Gonchar for the trade. We will post here what the Penguins have received in return as soon as it is made available.
This move would also release Shero and the Penguins from the bind of trying to sign Gonchar who could be asking for between $5 to $7 million a year at this point in his career. Contract negotiations with Marian Hossa two years ago that never came to fruition binded Shero’s hands and made him miss signing players like Ryan Malone, and I’m sure he learned his lesson.
What this means for the Penguins is that they would have more money to spend on wingers or a bigger grittier defenseman. This is going to make for a very interesting free agency period after July 1st.
UPDATE: Rob Rossi of the Trib says this is not true as of Wednesday morning, insidepittsburghsports.com is saying this is not true, but the Pens are meeting with Gonchar’s people in LA on Thursday (not to far from San Jose).
nhlsourcessay says it’s true, Tim Benz on WXDX also reported it this morning.
PuckDaddy says Gonchar to Sharks most likely false: The last days of Sergei Gonchar in Pittsburgh?
That guy from nhl-sources-say?? is standing by this and is saying it will happen. This is either going to make or break his whole website, should be interesting.
I’m 50/50 on the whole keep/let Gonchar go thing. Is he that good or is it that he’s playing on a team and powerplay with two of the NHL’s best players? My guess would be the latter, but if I don’t have to find that out in the next two years that would be fine also.
Trade him, let him go whatever… use his money for some quality forwards. Contrary to popular belief, there are 4 or five quality wingers that will be available come free agency. The pens are not going to sign a superstar, they just need 1 or two good wingers. They can’t afford a superstar anyway. It also sounds like maybe the Pens are letting Eaton go, Lovejoy will fill in for him no problemo.
I hope this is a bunch of BS.. We need Gonch! The guy at NHLsourcessay.com seems positive. Rob Rossi only said it definitely hasn’t happened yet. I can’t imagine Shero getting anything more than a draft pick out of this if it’s true, which would make sense it happening before Saturday if it does.
There is no good that can come out of this for Pittsburgh. With only 2 legitimate puck moving defensemen on the market this year (Gonchar and Kaberle) losing Gonch would be devestating to the Penguins power play. Letang and Goligoski are terrific don’t get me wrong, but the maturation is not where it needs to be yet. With all of the rumors out there that Kaberle is going to Boston…doesn’t bode well! I’d keep Gonch, drop Guerin, Ponikarovsky, fedotenko and Eton and now the money is available to sign him with some left over as well to hit the free agency market looking for a winger or 2. Gonch…stay in the burgh baby! We need you! We ride together…we die together! Pens fans for life!
Don’t know whether I am happy or not hearing this news. I will miss Gonchar if he leaves. Great Powerplay man who has super point slapshot.
I heard they were asked not to announce this until Thursday so as not to distract from the award show this evening.
Bring in a gifted winger!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryane Clowe was the player I believe,either him or draft picks.
GO SHARKS GO
I doubt it was Ryan Clowe. He signed a contract extension for 4 years and i think its around 3.625 million for the first 3 years and 4 mill in 2012-2013. I wish we could score Clowe but the Pens are looking to replace Defense first.