Sergei Gonchar Signs with Ottawa Senators

Mark RitterJul 1, 2010

In what can only be called a shocker, the Ottawa Senators have signed long-time Pittsburgh Penguins veteran defenseman Sergei Gonchar to a three-year, $16.5 million deal.

While I am sure that Gonchar will arrive in Ottawa with far less fanfare than the Queen (who is in Ottawa today), the vibe from Ottawa fans seems to be positive.

That said, at 36 years old and with a history of injury troubles, Gonchar seems a bit risky to sign to a three-year deal. But with Anton Volchenkov looking more and more likely to sign a free agent deal with another NHL club, the Sens needed to shore up their back end.

You have to wonder, though, if the Senators could have used their money more wisely—wouldn’t you rather have the likes of Dan Hamhuis?

No matter. Gonchar will bring a ton of experience to a blue line that has the potential to be very young, with the likes of Jared Cowen, Erik Karlsson (who is NHL-ready) and Patrick Wiercioch all making a push to make the Sens' everyday lineup.

The loss of Gonchar means the Penguins will likely follow through with signing Hamhuis and/or consider making a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Tomas Kaberle—something that has been speculated for months.

It’s an interesting acquisition—certainly the biggest signing to date. Time will tell if it works out for Senators general manager Bryan Murray (who has a history of poor free agent signings).

It will also be interesting to see if this calms discouraged center Jason Spezza (who has said he wouldn’t mind being traded out of Ottawa) well enough to change his tune.

It's no question—Gonchar makes the Sens a better team. The question is: Can he stay healthy over that three-year deal?