The comeback attempt of 41-year old defenseman Sergei Gonchar looks like it has hit a major road block. Gonchar, who was attempting a comeback with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was released Saturday from his tryout contract. For Gonchar the question is now whether or not he showed enough in preseason action that another team will take a shot on him. If not, it all but likely brings an end to a lengthy and successful NHL career. Gonchar showed some glimpses during the preseason in the ... Read More
Questions remain on defense for Pens
Throughout the Penguins offseason, most of the attention of the fans, the media and the front office was the team’s group of forwards. General manager Jim Rutherford took great strides forward in his second offseason with the club, bringing Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino, Sergei Plotnikov, Eric Fehr and Matt Cullen to an already-talented group of forwards. What wasn’t addressed was the team’s defense. Through five preseason games, it seems that it may be an issue. They’ve given up 12 goals in the ... Read More
Column: Gonchar provides little value to Pens blueline
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced the signing of Sergei Gonchar to a professional tryout contract in early August, giving the veteran blueliner a chance to earn a spot on the final roster. While Gonchar enjoyed five productive seasons in Pittsburgh, scoring 259 points in 322 games and winning a Stanley Cup in 2009, at 41 years old, the team needs to break the habit of recycling veteran players and instead, finally allow a younger defensive corps to develop. With the innate ability to ... Read More