Confirmed with Link: Gonchar to the Rescue... as Defensemen Development Coach.

[Zirakzigil]

Not surprised by this. Hopefully it helps some of the prospects in the Pens organization.

 

[Griffin6612]

I like the move, but is there any club in the NHL who hires alumni at the rate we do? Yeesh.

The hurricanes sure have a lot of Alums dont they?

 

[Ugene Magic]

This is great news.

Jokes about Scuderi aside, Sarge might actually be able to help Letang be more effective on the PP.

Also, doesn't Sarge speak a couple languages beyond Russian and English? Could be especially helpful in terms of eastern European players making the jump to the NHL.

He doesn't speak stupid.

Seriously, Letang would be more efficient on the PP if he just wrist the pucks rather then full on wind up.

 

[SEALBound]

It said he will also be a scout for us in Europe. That is pretty good as well.

THANK GOD! Hopefully he can snag us the next Panarin or something.

 

[ColePens]

These signings are always bleh. We don't know if he will be good as we never see the result from his development. The only constant is seeing ex-Pens and Mario's buddies take over positions that could probably be had by other people. Happens in the NFL and MLB, too.

I'm just skeptical because the Pens constantly just hire friends.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

Yeah but some of the Pens' 'friends' could really help us, and I think Sarge may become one of them.

If he becomes the assistant coach in charge of defensemen and the power play, I'll be happy.

Hopefully, Johnston's replacement will also be happy to have Sarge.

 

[Human]

make him coach the PP. hell, let him QB it once in a while...

 

[Shrimper]

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

He doesn't speak stupid.

Seriously, Letang would be more efficient on the PP if he just wrist the pucks rather then full on wind up.

That's probably one of Letang's biggest issues on the powerplay, IMO. That stupid double/triple clutch thing he does on nearly every. Single. Shot.

Like you said... if he'd just flick a quick screened wrister towards the net... that's going to be the better play 9/10 times. Especially with Hornqvist in front. It's like he thinks he has to get absolutely everything on every shot on the powerplay. One thing that made Gonchar truly great on the powerplay was that ability simply to get shots through.

 

[66-30-33]

Sprong staying with the Penguins? Figured the team would send him back to the CHL.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Also, doesn't Sarge speak a couple languages beyond Russian and English? Could be especially helpful in terms of eastern European players making the jump to the NHL.

Most of us do around these parts. But he'll be especially useful as a scout in the Baltic area and for KHL teams.

I like the recent focus on Central/Eastern Europe for obvious reasons.

 

[Gurglesons]

That's probably one of Letang's biggest issues on the powerplay, IMO. That stupid double/triple clutch thing he does on nearly every. Single. Shot.

Like you said... if he'd just flick a quick screened wrister towards the net... that's going to be the better play 9/10 times. Especially with Hornqvist in front. It's like he thinks he has to get absolutely everything on every shot on the powerplay. One thing that made Gonchar truly great on the powerplay was that ability simply to get shots through.

Well, I think I'd argue that during Gonchar's tenure here he had probably the second best, if not the best slap shot on the team. Something Letang doesn't really use or have.

I like how Letang is always the goat on the power play. I'd argue if they actually ran the power play through Letang you'd see a hell of a lot more performances like that five assist effort in Winnipeg, versus letting Crosby continually try to do cross ice passes to set up Phil Kessel for slap shots.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I know you're a big Letang fan. I am, too. He's as dynamic as a defenseman as you'll find, league-wide and regardless of what some are saying now... a big reason this offense CAN click. But I wouldn't want to run a powerplay through him. I believe he could be a contributing element to a powerplay (as he has in the past) as can Crosby... were it drawn up and executed correctly. But I wouldn't ideally want either one of them being the guy to run it. That should either be Kessel or Malkin, presently.

But that isn't to say Letang doesn't have the raw ability to do it. Ability has never, ever been the problem with Letang. I think despite some of the "dumb" commentary... he simply overthinks things sometimes... particularly in a "set" situation like the powerplay.

 

[td_ice]

Most of us do around these parts. But he'll be especially useful as a scout in the Baltic area and for KHL teams.

I like the recent focus on Central/Eastern Europe for obvious reasons.

Good point Chi.

 

[HandshakeLine]

Good point Chi.

I still don't get why we didn't scout here for YEARS. Hopefully, Plotnikov, Simon, and Uher will help people realize you can find decent, non-Malkin hockey players in Europe again.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I still don't get why we didn't scout here for YEARS. Hopefully, Plotnikov, Simon, and Uher will help people realize you can find decent, non-Malkin hockey players in Europe again.

But can they Get To Their Gameâ„¢ over there in Commie-land?

I think not.

 

[HandshakeLine]

But can they Get To Their Gameâ„¢ over there in Commie-land?

I think not.

Beer's $1.05 a half-liter here. I think our game's already gotten.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Beer's $1.05 a half-liter here. I think our game's already gotten.

BRB... buying plane tickets.

 

[Zen Arcade]

Most of us do around these parts. But he'll be especially useful as a scout in the Baltic area and for KHL teams.

I like the recent focus on Central/Eastern Europe for obvious reasons.

This is your time to shine, I've always considered you the Jiri Dopita of this fan base.

 

[cassius]

Put Gonchar / Letang on the practice rink, lock the door, and throw away the key... then perhaps Letang might know how to actually deliver a pass on the PP. The guy is just horrible at passing.

Big fan of this move though. Gonchar was a great Penguin and I think he can teach a lot to these young guys..

 

[66-30-33]

Gonchar was pretty good at mentoring Karlsson Sens fans have said.

 

[Phil68]

Gonchar also helped Subban... Hmmm maybe just maybe he can do wonders for Letang, Maatta and Pouliot

 

[HuskerTornado]

I like the move, but is there any club in the NHL who hires alumni at the rate we do? Yeesh.

I remember when Cooke left as a free agent, Shero and Co. promised him a job with the org. when he retires.

 

[HandshakeLine]

This is your time to shine, I've always considered you the Jiri Dopita of this fan base.

I've always thought of myself more as a Libor Pivko myself.

 

[Saved]

Hmm hope he can help DP.