Article says Gonchar WANTS Toronto

[CentreHice]

From the ESPN site.

"The Capper: Wings land Lang

Lang
The Red Wings have acquired center Robert Lang, the NHL's leading scorer, from the Capitals for prospect Tomas Fleischmann, a first-round pick in 2004 and a fourth-round pick in 2006, ESPN's Darren Pang has learned....Washington continues to dump salary. It's already traded Peter Bondra to Ottawa and Sergei Gonchar wants a trade to Toronto....."

He WANTS Toronto? Could see him there, I guess. I'm with Bill Watters on this one. Gonchar is an offensive force, a PP specialist, but his play without the puck has always been suspect and will not help a Toronto D that turns it over on a regular basis. So go ahead...sign him, and give up what little future you have. Freakin' Rangers of the North.

cough--sour grapes--cough

[HFTO]

Gonchar won't win the Leafs the cup so I say go for it and give up your future,the little you have anyways.
The key to the Leafs is Belfour plain and simple,he's the guy who saves their asses so they can play Quinns run and gun style.
HFTO

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Yep, give up Antropov/Stajan + Colaiacovo + a first rounder.

Belfour, Marchment, Sundin, Nolan, Mogilny, Roberts, et al ain't getting any younger.

And Belak, Domi, FitzGerald, Reichel, Renberg, Berg, Pilar, et al are not going to improve.

And there's no help on the farm.

The Leafs should definitely trade for Gonchar on the Caps' terms.

[blaise]

I wouldn't be happy if the Leafs overpaid for Gonchar, mortgaged their future, and missed the playoffs for the next 10 years if in the meantime they won even one Cup. I want them to preserve their streak!!!

[jkr]

CentreHice said:

Gonchar wants a trade to Toronto....."

/quote]

I guess if was GM he could trade himself there.

It is interesting how journalists pick up on things like Klee playing in Toronto & jump to a conclusion that Gonchar wants to play there. It's easier to engage in speculation than to actually do some legwork and write an accurate article.

[jkr]

Blaise said:

I wouldn't be happy if the Leafs overpaid for Gonchar, mortgaged their future, and missed the playoffs for the next 10 years if in the meantime they won even one Cup. I want them to preserve their streak!!!

Agreed.

I live in Ontario and most of friends are leaf fans so my feelings about this remain hidden. AT least here I can come out and say it.

[jkr]

Just found this article from a Boston paper. Looks like the Bruins have a good shot at Gonchar also. George McPhee must be loving this. There is an interesting comparison between Gonchar & Berard - they are not far apart on PPG.

www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2004/02/27/price_to_pay_for_prized_point_man/

[Andrew]

jkr said:

Just found this article from a Boston paper. Looks like the Bruins have a good shot at Gonchar also. George McPhee must be loving this. There is an interesting comparison between Gonchar & Berard - they are not far apart on PPG.

www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2004/02/27/price_to_pay_for_prized_point_man/

Good for McPhee - I'm glad he's asking alot. Gonchar is a great player in the prime of his career. There's no reason the Caps should settle for garbage. It would really annoy me to see a top contender get an asset like Gonchar without having to give up a siginificant part of their team and / or future.