Sergei Gonchar hears the boos.
It's hard not to when they shower down from the Mellon Arena stands every time the Penguins defenseman touches the puck, a treatment usually reserved for opponents such as Jaromir Jagr or Derian Hatcher.
"They feel, I guess, like it's my fault, that I'm responsible for all the things that have happened to us and that's their decision," Gonchar said on Friday. "I can't tell them to do this or that, I just have to go out there and play good hockey and hopefully prove them wrong. I don't think I've played that bad lately but it's their decision and I have to go out there and play my game."
Gonchar has become the fans' prime target lately, and during Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators the venom seemed to become even more potent. With 14,714 fans in attendance, and many of those either gone or struck silent by the third period, the taunts and words of contempt were crystal clear.
"It's frustrating because you don't think you deserve it," Gonchar said. "But they feel like I do and that's why they're doing it."
Gonchar is the highest paid player on the team, having signed a five-year, $25 million deal over the summer as the marquee defensive acquisition. Through 51 games, he has six goals and 23 assists for 27 points and is a minus-18, among the worst on the team. The 31-year-old, who will represent Russia at the Olympics later this month, has one goal in his last 39 games.
"You can't only point at one guy," coach Michel Therrien said. "But with the salary, sometimes that's the bad part of it. But I'm sure he'll get through it and if the team will have some success, that will help."
Gonchar said he's never been booed this way before.
The blame shouldn't be entirely Gonchar's, teammate Rob Scuderi said.
"He's certainly out there trying every game," Scuderi said. "It's not like he's given up. It's not like he faked an injury and tried to get out. He's a professional. He shows up and he does his job every day. ... It's unfortunate for one guy to take the fall and it's unfair. We accept the blame as a team and if they want to boo the team that's fine. But booing an individual, that may be a little much."
