This is not the first time the Penguins will be forced to play without Sergei Gonchar. Last year, he was injured in a preseason game, resulting in shoulder surgery and sidelining Gonchar until February. Pittsburgh handled that loss nicely (see: Stanley Cup), but one has to wonder: are they in an even better position to deal with Gonchar’s wrist this season? It’s a question being asked, and answered, at PenBurgh.
Are Penguins Better Prepared To Deal With Gonchar’s Injury This Season?
There's no doubt Pittsburgh stumbled and badly missed their defensive leader in his absence last season. Alex Goligoski, a veteran of only 3 NHL regular season games, played 45 games in 2008-09, mainly in Gonch's stead. Goligoski acquitted himself admirably, racking up 6 goals, 14 assists and a +5 plus/minus rating. This year, with free agent defections, Goligoski is a full-time NHL'er and has 2 goals, 5 assists and a +9 rating in just these first nine games. [...]
The replacement to the lineup would be Martin Skoula, he of 724 career NHL games. Though Skoula has been shaky at times in his career, it seems he can step in and fill the 15 or so even-strength minutes that Gonchar's been recording at a level that won't handcuff the way the Penguins intend to play.
... [T]he Penguins seem to be better covered than this time last year. Goligoski and Letang have more experience and are entrenched as solid players at their position. Skoula, though new to the team and system, has been practicing with Pittsburgh for weeks and ought to have the experience to lean on to become accustomed to step in.
And don’t forget: Gonchar missed time against the Capitals in the playoffs last season. The Penguins won the game in which he was injured, along with the following game.
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