Bruins Win Gonchar Sweepstakes

The Boston Bruins pinch their pennies as carefully as any team in the NHL, so rumors of a trade for Sergei Gonchar were considered pure fantasy. After all, Gonchar is an All Star defenseman who qualifies for salary arbitration this summer. The spectre of a hefty raise over his current salary of $3.65-million would surely scare away the cheapskate Bruins, right? Wrong.

Boston has acquired the most sought-after player on this year's trading block. The Bruins get Gonchar; the Washington Capitals get defensive prospect Shaone Morrisonn and a pair of draft picks.

Over the last five seasons combined, no NHL defenseman has put up more points than Gonchar. This year, he leads all defenders with seven goals and 42 assists in 56 games. At the age of 29, he is likely just entering his prime.

As the numbers would suggest, Gonchar is a classic offensive defenseman, a great skater and puck handler who can trigger the attack by rushing the puck or making a long pass. His shot is also dangerous. Given those assets, it's no surprise that 31 of his 49 points this season have come on the power play.

Gonchar also comes with the offensive defenseman's typical deficiencies. He can get trapped up ice, leaving teammates vulnerable to counterattacks. He occasionally gives the puck away.

At first glance, he looks like a good fit in Boston, where he can pair with a more conservative defender like Hal Gill or Sean O'Donnell. The Bruins have gained an edge in what is turning out to be the closest Eastern Conference race in years.

The trade represents the continuation of a pattern in Washington: Multimillionaire veterans out; draft picks and young players in. Morrisonn is considered an excellent defensive prospect. So the final verdict on this trade will hinge on how far the Bruins get in this year's playoffs, whether they re-sign Gonchar and what kind of player Morrisonn turns into over the next five to ten years.

For more on the latest trades, see The 2004 NHL Trade Ledger, analyzing all the deals leading up to the March 9 deadline.