I'm Just Numb

[PensStarsFan]

7. And like some other posters alluded here, I wouldn't even know where to start with the defense. I know as much as the next fan that we need to find Chara and Redden types, but therein lies the problem. I hate to break it to some of you folks, but the reason everyone wants a d-man like Chara or Redden is because they're rare. Teams that have them aren't really rushing to put them out on the market. And if they were, they sure as hell are gonna want a lot more than Ric Jackman and Konstantin Koltsov for them. And as is the case with Kessel, I don't think Erik Johnson is ready for the NHL yet, so I don't expect the draft to yield much in terms of immediate help here either.

In the meantime, I'm going to sit back and enjoy watching Crosby, Orpik, Fleury and Whitney in Pens' jerseys. I may only have one more year to be able to do that.

A Chara-or Redden-calibre d-man would be ideal, but honestly, even bringing in a John Klemm-level player(s) would represent a considerable upgrade. He plays pretty much mistake-free defense, hustles every night, chips in the odd goal here and there, and would be a great role model for the young guys. He's doing a good job helping Trevor Daley along in Dallas.

[Stoosh]

Admin,

I didn't mean to suggest that you were making excuses for Gonchar. I've heard the same thing...he injured his shoulder against Buffalo and it's just never gotten better. I was at that game and I remember the hit...it was a miracle that he was able to get up right away. I'm serious...I was thinking he would've been lost to a concussion.

If he is playing hurt, then I applaud him for that, especially on a team that has very little else to play for at this point. And a very big part of me still thinks it would be a mistake to deal him because I still think he can be an asset if the coaches use him properly.

I would, however, like to see him show a little more sense of urgency when he skates. If it's possible for a hockey player to look lazy, he does. There are just too many times where he looks disinterested, and that's what rubs me the wrong way about him.

[Admin]

If it's possible for a hockey player to look lazy, he does. There are just too many times where he looks disinterested, and that's what rubs me the wrong way about him.

Agreed. It's almost as if he's doing cost/benefit analysis in his head constantly and deciding it would "hurt" too much for him to try and make a play so he just bags it. I'm thinking specifically of all the times he's let someone go around him and then hooks the guy for a penalty.

[Tocchet]

A Chara-or Redden-calibre d-man would be ideal, but honestly, even bringing in a John Klemm-level player(s) would represent a considerable upgrade.

I said that a couple years ago about Phillipe Boucher, who's steady in his own too.

I also complained when the Gonchar announcement was made too. He's exactly what this defense did NOT need, yet they're paying him $5M per year....