Volchenkov signs with Devils for six years, $25.5M

by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 1, 2010 6:02 PM EDT

Although Ottawa Senators fans have assumed it would be happening for weeks now, Anton Volchenkov is no longer a Senator: He signed a six-year, $25.5M deal with the New Jersey Devils today, worth $4.25M per season.

The deal was far less than the $5-6M people were predicting Volchenkov could make on the open market, but realistically, those were far-fetched. Still, compared to the Senators' reported offer of $20M over five seasons, this isn't much money for Volchenkov to be moving for. Still, might be that extra year that drew him to New Jersey--and the fact that, after signing Sergei Gonchar, the Senators had little money left to entertain the possibility of bringing Volchenkov back, even if he decided his asking price was too high.

But with the departure of the A-Train means a lot of Senators fans will have their hearts broken. He was an outstanding warrior for the Senators, left everything he had on the ice and rarely had injury problems despite the punishing style he played.

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I’m looking forward to what he can bring to the Devils.

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by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 1, 2010 6:04 PM EDT reply actions

Shot blocks and big hits

You’ll really like what you see

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by Mark Parisi on Jul 1, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll take Gonchar over Volchenkov

Good job Sens, looks like Murray read my review.

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by Alexander Calloway on Jul 1, 2010 6:34 PM EDT reply actions

I wish him well

Until we meet in the playoffs, anyway.

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by Mark Parisi on Jul 1, 2010 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

Well they are the Devils

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by Alexander Calloway on Jul 1, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

by Graham MacAree on Jul 1, 2010 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh.

Why couldn’t Bryan Murray have re-signed him and worked hard to move Kuba over the summer?

I would have even been happy with Zbynek Michalek.

I’m back to thinking that Murray is an idiot (my dislike for him was once again lifted on draft day, but it’s back). I like the Gonchar signging, but we could really have used a more defensively proficient, physical defenseman to anchor him. I know 6 years is a long time for a defenseman of Volchenkov’s type, but the Gonchar singing indicates Murray ants to win now. Gonchar-Volchenkov/Phillips-Karlsson would have made one of the best top-4’s in the East.

And after all that Volchenkov has meant to the organisation, all Bryan Murray has to say is “it’s nice to block shots, but we want to make the other team block shots”. Yeah, and then they can skate unimpeded into our zone and fire a clean shot at our mediocre goaltenders. What a way to say goodbye to a guy who gave his heart and soul for the team.

by GelatinousMutantCoconut on Jul 1, 2010 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

Philchov. Or Gonlips. This is what we're stuck with

I miss Karlssutton.

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by Ryan Classic on Jul 1, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Anybody can block shots

Very few defencemen bring the kind of offense Gonchar does

Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.

by Andrew J on Jul 1, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Your anger is fair

But I feel it’s important to note that Kuba could still be moved. If that’s the case and someone like Cowen is able to step up and play a physical role, then the signing loses a lot of its sting.

As for Volchenkov walking, we know that he turned down at least one deal from Murray. I’ll miss him and his style of play, but he played an equal part in the goodbye. It’s not like the team lowballed him.

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by Mark Parisi on Jul 1, 2010 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh one more thing.

Bryan Murray always goes to far….I think he has Alzheimer. First we had too many puck-movers. So Preissing, Redden, Corvo and Meszaros all left. Then no one could move the puck, so we got rid of Commodore, Smith, Sutton and now Volchenkov.

Now we’re back to square one with some offensive guys who don’t give a shit about their own end.

Has Sylvester ever heard of something called ‘Balance’?

by GelatinousMutantCoconut on Jul 1, 2010 9:50 PM EDT reply actions

would people be happy with dumping Kuba for picks, and resigning Sutton for around 3M?

by Lady Gaga on Jul 1, 2010 10:17 PM EDT reply actions

Kuba, yes. Sutton, no.

I don’t see the need to run out and spend that money right away. Let one of the kids take a shot. If they don’t work out then we can always acquire a defenseman via trade. If they do, we’ve just saved ourselves almost four million dollars. Kovalev, Ruutu, Leclaire and Phillips are UFA at the end of next year. Including Kuba’s salary, that represents almost $17.2 in spending money.

You figure Phillips will be re-signed, but that still lets us go out and pursue some top end free agents.

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by Mark Parisi on Jul 1, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

yes. very much so.

by GelatinousMutantCoconut on Jul 2, 2010 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh really? Are you an expert?

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by Speedy_McEachern on Jul 1, 2010 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

The Kube Factor

So I am not the biggest fan of Kuba but dont want to run him out of town either. My biggest gripe with Kuba is that he doesn’t shoot anymore on the PP always looking to move the puck.

He doesn’t do big hits that’s not his game and is not known for his shot blocking, but uses his body positionally to defend. His first year everyone was pleased with the pickup from Tampa as he moved the puck, skated well, QB the PP etc. If we can get to his first year of the senators then I dont think we should move him at all.

Gonchar good pick if he can stay healthy.

by Eado on Jul 2, 2010 6:56 AM EDT reply actions