Penguins sign Gonchar to tryout deal
Sergei Gonchar is going back to Pittsburgh.
The Penguins signed the veteran defenseman to a professional tryout contract, the club announced Friday.
From the release:
Gonchar, 41, originally spent five seasons in Pittsburgh from 2005-10, helping the team win its third Stanley Cup championship in 2009 and also make a Cup Final appearance in ’08. During the ’09 championship run, he contributed 14 points (3G-11A) and was plus-3 in 22 playoff contests.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenseman is currently the sixth-highest scoring blueliner in Penguins history, having compiled 54 goals, 205 assists and 259 points in 322 regular-season games. Gonchar has added 44 points (7G-37A) in 60 playoff games. Only Larry Murphy and Kris Letang have more postseason points in club history. ...
Gonchar’s 811 points lead all active NHL defensemen, while his 1,301 games place fifth. He currently ranks 17th all-time among NHL blueliners in both assists and points.
Gonchar played 48 games for the Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars last season, recording a goal and 13 assists.
The Russian has strong relationships with Penguins superstars Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Rossi. While he's not guaranteed a roster spot, the Pens are open to signing him should he acquit himself well during training camp.
Gonchar: "My goal is to come to camp and show the team that I can still play. Then I want to help the team in any way that I can."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) August 14, 2015
Pittsburgh's defense is highlighted by Kris Letang and Olli Maatta, with Rob Scuderi, Ian Cole, Derrick Pouliot, and Ben Lovejoy behind them.
It's a long shot, especially at his age, but Gonchar would bring experience and a Stanley Cup pedigree.