Lost in all the talk about the departure of Daniel Alfredsson, is another significant hole the Ottawa Senators will have to fill this season.
Defenceman Sergei Gonchar departed for Dallas after three seasons here in the Nation's Capital. And while Gonchar was often a target of criticism in his first season, he settled in nicely in year two and three of the deal and played a significant role on the team's blueline.
Not only was Gonchar a reliable presence on the ice, playing big minutes and in all situations, he was also a vital part of the team's leadership core that Head Coach Paul MacLean always spoke so highly of.
While Alfredsson would often get the credit as this team's "leader", it really was leadership by committee in that room and Gonchar was a huge part of that. An article posted on the Ottawa Senators website on Wednesday shows just how big a role Gonchar really did play on this team.
And while five mil a season (over 2 years) the Stars paid him was far beyond the price the Sens were willing to pay to retain his services, Bryan Murray and his staff did have interest in bringing Gonchar back for another season.
Instead, the Sens will have to fill the void left by the future Hall of Famer's departure by committee. They'll count on Karlsson, Methot and Cowen to play big minutes, on Phillips to be that reliable veteran presence, on utility guys like Gryba and Corvo and in particular, on Patrick Wiercioch to assume that top four role and produce points like Gonchar did.
While it was a fairly small sample size, there is reason to believe Wiercioch is more than capable of partly filling the void but how he reacts to the increased ice time and responsibility remains to be seen.
Obviously his three year contract is a pretty good indication the Sens brass feel he's ready to step up.
Losing Alfredsson hurt but Sergei Gonchar's summer time relocation also leaves a void that must be filled moving forward.
- Speaking of Daniel Alfredsson, the former face of the franchise will do a little speaking of his own tomorrow at 11:00 AM. Alfredsson will make his first public appearance since his surprising off season decision, in a press conference to be held at the Royal Ottawa Hospital. The release suggests that Alfredsson “will take this opportunity to give his thanks to the community and to bring further attention to mental health, which he has so actively championed.” No matter where you stand on his decision, there is no denying the massive impact he had on this community over the last 17 years. It will be nice to give recognition to his contributions over the years.
