Former Ottawa Senator, Sergei Gonchar Traded To Canadiens

If you missed the news from a few days ago, Sergei Gonchar was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. He is now 40 and is wrapping up his Hall of Fame worthy career. Gonchar has 1200 games experience in the NHL and is near 800 points, a mark he will likely achieve with the Habs.

It was just a few seasons ago when Gonchar was a Senator, and a popular one. After 2 seasons where he could have been better, “Gonch” put up a great shortened season with Ottawa.

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Erik Karlsson was out with an Achilles’ injury that season, where Gonchar was relied heavily on. Gonchar put up 27 points in 45 games, and hasn’t played up to that standard since. Gonchar’s first season with Dallas was disastrous where Gonchar had a slow start and had fewer points in a full season than he did in the shortened year before.

Gonchar hadn’t lived up to his 5 million dollar salary in Dallas, and hence was traded. Travis Moen was the return, where Dallas sees this as purely a cap dump; one would have to think. The Stars have been linked to Tyler Myers and other available defenceman, so you have to think Jim Nill is working the phones looking to deal.

Oct 13, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jarred Tinordi (24) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Anti-Youth Movement

The stars retained 8% 0f Gonchar’s salary in the deal, working the AAV down to 4.6 for the Canadiens. The deal may come as a surprise or a “head-scratcher” as the Habs now have a log jam on defence.

Andrei Markov, Tom Gilbert, and Mike Weaver are all veteran defenders over the age of 30, where Markov and Weaver are over 35. So, adding a 4th to that fold may come as surprising.

The Habs have two young defensemen who may suffer from ice time by this move. Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu are both former 1st round picks, where their ice time will suffer in this move. Gonchar isn’t going to play top 4 minutes for the Habs, but he is being paid as one until the end of the year.

Jarred Tinordi was sent down to Hamilton (AHL) yesterday, to make way for Gonchar. Tinordi has 2 assists in 9 games this season and should dominate the AHL as a 6foot6 defender. The choice was between Tinordi and 2012 1st rounder, Nathan Beaulieu who through 10 games is pointless and a minus-2.

It Stings

Gonchar was a popular player in Ottawa during the shortened season. It’s always tough to see a former player go to a rival or any other team; but that’s the business of Hockey.

Gonchar joins the list of Alex Kovalev, Radek Bonk, Sean Van Allen, Ron Tugnutt, Andreas Dackell and others who have suited up for the Senators and the Canadiens.

Craig Anderson

It wasn’t mentioned in my last post, like I had meant to include; but we have to say congrats to Craig Anderson on his NHL.com 2nd star of the week accomplishment. Anderson continues to be lead the league in save percentage, despite a mediocre record of  4-2-3.

Ottawa’s goaltending has been their biggest strength this season and Robin Lehner, despite a poor outing against the Maple Leafs has been solid.