Posse81
March-3rd-2004, 10:49 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24440-2004Mar2_2.html
Caps Lose, Gonchar Trade Imminent
Fully Recovered, Defenseman Will Find Out Today Where He's Headed: Panthers 1, Capitals 0
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 3, 2004; Page D01
Last night provided the strongest indication yet that Sergei Gonchar has played his last game for the Washington Capitals, when 15 minutes before the opening faceoff of their contest with the Florida Panthers the defenseman was informed that he would be a healthy scratch in a game the Capitals went on to lose, 1-0, at MCI Center.
After the game, General Manager George McPhee informed Gonchar that he had agreed to the essential parts of a trade and would inform the player of his new team this morning, according to a source close to Gonchar.
Gonchar has recovered from the minor head ailment that kept him out of two games over the weekend -- the Capitals said the former all-star was out with the flu -- and he was ready to play with numerous teams bidding to land him before the Tuesday trade deadline. He was not given that chance; when Gonchar returned to the dressing room following the warmup skate, he was informed by team officials that he would not be in the lineup.
McPhee, who has been shopping Gonchar for over a month, said that Gonchar could continue to be scratched until a trade is made. The Capitals are off until Friday.
"We've been working on some things [trades], and I just thought, 'Why play him and risk injury?' " McPhee said after the game. "We're still active talking to teams, and we'll make a decision when it feels right."
That decision took Gonchar by surprise after being initially informed he would play.
"They just told me before the game that I wasn't going to play," said Gonchar, who was reached on his cell phone at MCI Center during the game. "They didn't tell me anything else. Obviously, it looks like they will trade me, but I don't know if it will happen [late Tuesday] or [today]."
Gonchar, 29, the NHL's highest-scoring defenseman and one of the elite offensive defensemen in the game, will be the next star to go as the Capitals continue their unprecedented dumping of top players.
Toronto had been at the forefront of the Gonchar talks for weeks and Maple Leafs General Manager John Ferguson sent out a fax to all NHL teams offering two role players -- Nathan Perrott and Craig Johnson -- in a trade, according to a Western Conference general manager who had received the fax.
Two NHL scouts whose teams have been in contact with Washington took those moves as a sign that Ferguson was creating a roster opening for Gonchar.
However, several other teams have expressed interest in Gonchar, with Boston and Colorado making a strong push in recent days. The Avalanche, notorious for making blockbuster deals before the deadline and mired in a 1-6-1 slump, has shown interest in acquiring Gonchar and star goalie Olaf Kolzig, numerous sources said, dangling 25-year-old defenseman Derek Morris. A source in the Avalanche front office said last night the team was also in the process of clearing roster space in anticipation of a deal.
The Bruins stepped up their offer for Gonchar on Monday, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation, and young defensemen Jeff Jillson and/or Shaone Morrison could be a part of that package.
Any trade with the Maple Leafs is highly likely to include defensive prospect Carlo Colaiacovo and a first-round draft pick, while sources said Toronto has been reluctant to include emerging center Matt Stajan in the deal.
"A deal is imminent," said a source who has spoken with several teams trying to land Gonchar. "From what I hear it is down to three teams -- Toronto, Boston and Colorado. George [McPhee] is going back and forth with them to get the best offer. I really think it will get done" today.
Nashville is also pursuing defensive help, and Predators General Manager David Poile was in attendance last night as well; it is very rare for a management official of that stature to make a scouting trip unless there was significant interest in a player. Poile, who watched the game from the Acela Club restaurant rather than the press box, is Washington's former general manager and drafted Gonchar in the first round in 1992 and defenseman Brendan Witt, another player likely to be dealt before the deadline, in 1993.
Gonchar makes $3.65 million this season and becomes a restricted free agent July 1; he expressed an unwillingness to sign a contract extension with Washington and does not want to be a part of the ongoing rebuilding process that has seen stars Jaromir Jagr, Peter Bondra and Robert Lang already traded.
Kolzig, 33, and Witt, 29, two other career Capitals, are also the subject of trade talks. Colorado has shown the most interest in Kolzig, numerous league executives said, he played another stellar game last night, continuing his brilliant second-half form.
Witt is in high demand. Trade talks with Dallas have continued in recent days, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Philadelphia Flyers had two scouts present last night, and with injuries continuing to ravage their defense, the Flyers are also believed to be looking at Witt. New Jersey, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Montreal have also inquired about the rugged defender.
Detroit is also keeping an eye on Washington even after acquiring Lang from the Capitals last week. The Red Wings would like to add toughness on the wing and covet Mike Grier and Dainius Zubrus, according to sources within the team, but, like others around the NHL, believe Zubrus is untouchable. Grier, however, continues to draw interest from Los Angeles, Dallas and Colorado. Center Michael Nylander is also attracting a following after playing excellent hockey since coming back from a season-threatening leg injury.
The Capitals continued to struggle for offense last night, however, with so many stars no longer in the lineup. The decision to scratch Gonchar was even more alarming given that the Capitals had to play with just five defensemen, as Todd Rohloff was out with the stomach flu. The timing of Gonchar's scratching startled the other players, Kolzig said he "was in a fog," in the first period because of it, and most assumed a deal was already done.
Washington went 0 for 6 on the power play in Gonchar's absence, and completed this six-game stretch against Southeast Division opponents with a 1-4-1 record.
"We were really missing our horse on the point and on the power play," Kolzig said. "I thought that was the difference tonight, not having Gonchy."
Caps Lose, Gonchar Trade Imminent
Fully Recovered, Defenseman Will Find Out Today Where He's Headed: Panthers 1, Capitals 0
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 3, 2004; Page D01
Last night provided the strongest indication yet that Sergei Gonchar has played his last game for the Washington Capitals, when 15 minutes before the opening faceoff of their contest with the Florida Panthers the defenseman was informed that he would be a healthy scratch in a game the Capitals went on to lose, 1-0, at MCI Center.
After the game, General Manager George McPhee informed Gonchar that he had agreed to the essential parts of a trade and would inform the player of his new team this morning, according to a source close to Gonchar.
Gonchar has recovered from the minor head ailment that kept him out of two games over the weekend -- the Capitals said the former all-star was out with the flu -- and he was ready to play with numerous teams bidding to land him before the Tuesday trade deadline. He was not given that chance; when Gonchar returned to the dressing room following the warmup skate, he was informed by team officials that he would not be in the lineup.
McPhee, who has been shopping Gonchar for over a month, said that Gonchar could continue to be scratched until a trade is made. The Capitals are off until Friday.
"We've been working on some things [trades], and I just thought, 'Why play him and risk injury?' " McPhee said after the game. "We're still active talking to teams, and we'll make a decision when it feels right."
That decision took Gonchar by surprise after being initially informed he would play.
"They just told me before the game that I wasn't going to play," said Gonchar, who was reached on his cell phone at MCI Center during the game. "They didn't tell me anything else. Obviously, it looks like they will trade me, but I don't know if it will happen [late Tuesday] or [today]."
Gonchar, 29, the NHL's highest-scoring defenseman and one of the elite offensive defensemen in the game, will be the next star to go as the Capitals continue their unprecedented dumping of top players.
Toronto had been at the forefront of the Gonchar talks for weeks and Maple Leafs General Manager John Ferguson sent out a fax to all NHL teams offering two role players -- Nathan Perrott and Craig Johnson -- in a trade, according to a Western Conference general manager who had received the fax.
Two NHL scouts whose teams have been in contact with Washington took those moves as a sign that Ferguson was creating a roster opening for Gonchar.
However, several other teams have expressed interest in Gonchar, with Boston and Colorado making a strong push in recent days. The Avalanche, notorious for making blockbuster deals before the deadline and mired in a 1-6-1 slump, has shown interest in acquiring Gonchar and star goalie Olaf Kolzig, numerous sources said, dangling 25-year-old defenseman Derek Morris. A source in the Avalanche front office said last night the team was also in the process of clearing roster space in anticipation of a deal.
The Bruins stepped up their offer for Gonchar on Monday, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation, and young defensemen Jeff Jillson and/or Shaone Morrison could be a part of that package.
Any trade with the Maple Leafs is highly likely to include defensive prospect Carlo Colaiacovo and a first-round draft pick, while sources said Toronto has been reluctant to include emerging center Matt Stajan in the deal.
"A deal is imminent," said a source who has spoken with several teams trying to land Gonchar. "From what I hear it is down to three teams -- Toronto, Boston and Colorado. George [McPhee] is going back and forth with them to get the best offer. I really think it will get done" today.
Nashville is also pursuing defensive help, and Predators General Manager David Poile was in attendance last night as well; it is very rare for a management official of that stature to make a scouting trip unless there was significant interest in a player. Poile, who watched the game from the Acela Club restaurant rather than the press box, is Washington's former general manager and drafted Gonchar in the first round in 1992 and defenseman Brendan Witt, another player likely to be dealt before the deadline, in 1993.
Gonchar makes $3.65 million this season and becomes a restricted free agent July 1; he expressed an unwillingness to sign a contract extension with Washington and does not want to be a part of the ongoing rebuilding process that has seen stars Jaromir Jagr, Peter Bondra and Robert Lang already traded.
Kolzig, 33, and Witt, 29, two other career Capitals, are also the subject of trade talks. Colorado has shown the most interest in Kolzig, numerous league executives said, he played another stellar game last night, continuing his brilliant second-half form.
Witt is in high demand. Trade talks with Dallas have continued in recent days, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Philadelphia Flyers had two scouts present last night, and with injuries continuing to ravage their defense, the Flyers are also believed to be looking at Witt. New Jersey, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Montreal have also inquired about the rugged defender.
Detroit is also keeping an eye on Washington even after acquiring Lang from the Capitals last week. The Red Wings would like to add toughness on the wing and covet Mike Grier and Dainius Zubrus, according to sources within the team, but, like others around the NHL, believe Zubrus is untouchable. Grier, however, continues to draw interest from Los Angeles, Dallas and Colorado. Center Michael Nylander is also attracting a following after playing excellent hockey since coming back from a season-threatening leg injury.
The Capitals continued to struggle for offense last night, however, with so many stars no longer in the lineup. The decision to scratch Gonchar was even more alarming given that the Capitals had to play with just five defensemen, as Todd Rohloff was out with the stomach flu. The timing of Gonchar's scratching startled the other players, Kolzig said he "was in a fog," in the first period because of it, and most assumed a deal was already done.
Washington went 0 for 6 on the power play in Gonchar's absence, and completed this six-game stretch against Southeast Division opponents with a 1-4-1 record.
"We were really missing our horse on the point and on the power play," Kolzig said. "I thought that was the difference tonight, not having Gonchy."