Penguins Make Trade

PENGUINS MAKE TRADE

By Rich Briggs
February 29, 2008

The Penguins and General Manager Ray Shero pulled the trigger on what seemed to be out of the question on a blockbuster trade that has now made the Penguins the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference and be the favorite to win the Stanley Cup later this year.

Shero was quoted as saying that giving up such a young nucleus of Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, first round pick Angelo Esposito, and their first round pick from the 2008 Entry Draft was a very tough decision to make. However, this trade is very similar to the trades that were made back in the early 1990s that were the catalysts for the two Stanley Cup runs.

While fans may be shell shocked at giving up such young talent in Armstrong, Christensen, and Esposito, they have to look at the big picture. Marian Hossa is a sniper on the wing and could be the weapon that Sidney Crosby needs to finish his passes and put the puck in the net. This acquisition has been discussed and it was also thought to be dead until it was pulled off at the last minute. This makes the Penguins legitimate Stanley Cup contenders and a mantra to win now rather than to wait a few more years for all of this young talent to develop.

To the uneducated when it comes to hockey, Hossa played for the Atlanta Thrashers until the trade. He averages between 35 and 40 goals a year. That production could rise significantly with a talent like Crosby as his center. Sidney is more of a creator than he is a goal scorer, which makes this trade that much more important, and that much more significant.

When I first heard this trade on my truck radio on my way home, I didn’t believe it. However, it did not take long to sink in. I believe this trade will pay off if the Pens win the Cup this year and if they are able to sign Hossa to a long term contract. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and will be costly to sign. He could command as much as $7 million a season. However, I believe that if the Penguins management feels he is worth the investment, especially as a wing on Crosby’s line, they will find a way to get this done.

While it is sad to see Armstrong and Christensen go, I believe this trade is for the best and will pay dividends for the Pens this spring. The Stanley Cup could be coming back to Pittsburgh if all of this lines up right, and that is not as far fetched as it sounds. The Pens have sent a message to the rest of the league they are serious about winning it all this year, so the rest of the NHL had better take note. When Crosby comes back from his high ankle sprain, he will he a man possessed and he will have a new weapon to play with on the number one line. Be prepared to see a lot of goals scored with this combination.