End of the line? Penguins release Sergei Gonchar from tryout
Sergei Gonchar’s hockey career likely reached the end of the line on Saturday when the Pittsburgh Penguins announced they were releasing him from his tryout contract.
The 41-year old Gonchar played in four preseason games for the Penguins, and while his time on the ice in Pittsburgh is over, the team is open to being a part of the next chapter of his hockey life.
Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said on Saturday that should Gonchar not sign elsewhere to play, he would like for the defenseman to stay in the organization in some capacity.
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As he said last week while still battling for a spot, via Jason Mackey of the Tribune Review, his presence can be a benefit to others on the roster. “I can share (my) experience with them. I’ve been around for a few years. I’ve been in different situations. You talk with them. There are a few things that I’ve already shared. I’ll try to help this team any way I can. Helping the young guys is one thing that I can do.”
Certainly a guy who has played 1,301 NHL games, scored 220 goals (102 on the power play) and recorded 811 points in his career can be a mentor to some of the organization’s young blueliners like Derrick Pouliot, who was sent to the AHL, Olli Maatta, Adam Clendening and Tim Erixon. He, along with Evgeni Malkin, could also serve as another friendly Russian face for winger Sergei Plotnikov, who signed over the summer.
The next question then, if this is indeed the end for Gonchar, is do you see him getting into the Hockey Hall of Fame?
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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