I agree with Seabass, except maybe less in the money dept. Give him what everybody else does where it is loaded in the front and then drops off toward the end so that our cap does okay...maybe 4 and 12 so that he gets like 5 4 2 1 or something. But whatever they do, Gonch needs to end his career in Pittsburgh so we better give him some $$!

2 years - 6M-7m. Any longer term or money would be a mistake.

Yea but the Shero can't hand him to much money if they want to resign Letang. I would hope Gonch would take a pay cut to an average of $2.5-3 mil over how ever long he plans on playing, 3 years or 4 years. I mean Fedetenko signed for $1.5 this year and Guerin took a cut also, but I can't remember the amount, so its not out of the question. Something kinda stupid but on my NHL 10 game after this season we was willing to sign for $2.5 for 3 years haha. They will find a good deal for both sides I'm sure of that.

He's waiting for KHL offers

He's going to have to take a pretty substantial pay cut to stay with the Pens. Letang is due for a pretty hefty raise (I'm guessing he'll be given anywhere between $2 and $3 million per year...up to about a 250% pay increase). Regardless, I believe he'll be a Penguin until he retires and probably make around $3 mil per year.
Eaton's $2 million per year contract and McKee's discount contract both end after this year, too. As do the contracts of Guerin, Fedetenko and Cooke. And they have to be seriously considering locking up TK for a good amount of time before his contract is up in 2011.
It'll be interesting to see what Shero does. I don't think Guerin will go anywhere unless he retires. He seems to genuinely love playing in Pittsburgh for Bylsma, and if he'll accept a salary close to what he's making this year ($2 mil with incentives) I don't see why they wouldn't bring him back as long as he wants to play beyond this year. Fedetenko will probably be gones-ville after this year. I don't expect McKee to stick around (the only reason he's in Pittsburgh for such a low salary is because he's still getting paid by the Blues), and I'd be surprised if they resign Eaton, unless he takes about 1/2 of that $2 mil per that he's making now.
No matter what, though, that core of Crosby/Malkin/Staal/Gonchar/Orpik/Letang/Fleury (with a little bit of Kunitz/Talbot/Goligoski thrown in) will keep them relevant for the next 5-6 years at the very least.
And with the way they're playing now, though it's early, I wouldn't be surpised with a repeat. Crosby and Malkin were two of the best players in the world competing with the pressure of winning a Cup squarely on their shoulders...just think of what they can do with all the pressure off of them!

give him a 2 year deal with an option for a 3rd year.

Flash, I would have to add Kennedy to that core list. I think he's more valuable then Kunitz. He's a little spit fire!

Sarge is one of the best defense men in the NHL. Other teams would pay a crap ton for his last couple years. I just hope he really wants to finish it in the Burgh, and the KHL doesn't offer him his own Island in the Caribbean to play.

Pens haven't done this yet, but it'll be interesting to see if Gonch/Sarge will get a "retirement" deal ala Pronger, but with a much more manageable cap hit.

Wow! Things sure do change over a few short years. I remember going to game after game and hearing naysayers constantly ridicule Gonch with complaints about his salary level or giveaways at the blue line, etc.. Thankfully, we held onto him. So, whatever happened to all the negative fans?

I think keeping Letang is a higher priority at this time. He's much younger, and if you look at their career stats, including shooting percentage, they mirror each other. The Pens need to stay as young as possible while keeping younger players signed. Isn't GoGo supposed to replace Gonchar? Hopefully the Pens can keep Gonchar, but I don't want to see them break the bank on a 35 year old defenceman.

4 yr 12 mil, 4.5 in year 1 and 2, 1.5 in year 3 and 4.

@ burghfan
If TK keeps playing like he has and scoring goals like he has been early this year, he might play his way to a contract the Pens can't pay him (he's a RFA after the 2010-2011 season, I believe). That would be very unfortunate, as he is my favorite Penguin. lol

this is a must sign in my book. we all saw what happens without a good QB on the power play. gonchar is a class act player and one hell of a player.
oh and comic snoop, you must be a fan of one of the teams they drove through during the playoffs! stop being a poor sport, some of you guys take this stuff to hard...its just a game!

comic_snoop I have to agree with you 100% except for 1 of your statements. I do not think it is down syndrome that pukin is afflected with the common term is elephant manitis he should not be wearing a helmet but a hood even better he could wear a noncage goalie mask (old style if you pen fans don't know). Now as far as cindy she is gonna run her yap until her man love lamoux tells her to "shutup and get me a beer bi#@h". Wow gary bitemark must be happy that his face of hockey gets oops I mean is plastered all over male chat rooms across America, he was going to have pukin represent as well but people were buying the magazine thinking it was a horse racing magazine.

Eva it looks like you are truly a sh@#sburg fan and are "willing to take 1 for the team" even a high hard one. Eva it's not being a "poor sport" it's hating to lose ever !!!! So go worship at your shrine to cindy and look us up when your pennies win more than 1 every 10 to 20 years....... Remember this quote " Its not arrogant when you back it up by winning"

wingey do i think u have struck the nail directly on the head with your comment #5,my team seems to stay away from russians these days.

guinsguy...i'm gonch all the way buy his first two years (espcially the first half of those seasons) were nothing to write home about...i think you'll see gonch give the pens a nice discount...
Patrick C must be a wings fan...since 1967 (when the pens came into the league) wings 4 cups....pens three cups...WOW them wings sure are great...suck A $%@ with your 13th place wings...

If it's more money he will easily sign with the KHL, which is most likely since contract has been put off till 2010. He has a Stanley Cup ring no rush to win another, he will probably focus more energy on the Olympics anyway. Overrated anyhow.

post 15-17. pen haters= priceless. probally cryersfans.

Oh poor litte Patty C. comes on a Penguins post and talks trash because his little Wed Wings got SMOKED in the finals. HAHA. We're sorry they $hit on your parade. Just ignore Patty, by his own admission he was dropped on his head too many times as a baby! As for comic_snoop just cue Beck...."Hey from head to toe, he's a loser baby, so why don't he kill himself"

@ jrh
Good God! Get an education! What are you using? The first keyboard ever invented? Before punctuation was added?
Literally, not one solid intelligent statement is made during your post. I think there are three or four thoughts that you are trying to convey but hey, who the hell can be sure? What is with you people? Over and over and over. "Cindy cries!! Malkin is ugly!! The pens suck!! They only won the cup because Detroit were on their deathbeds!!" I understand your resentment for the team that beat you. Every fan feels it when their team comes so close but loses. But for the love of God, think before you type. Or ask your mom to proofread it before you post.