HOLY $#*%!!!

The NHL trade deadline has passed and for the majority of the day, the Penguins were quiet... that is, until the final 10 minutes. Going into this day, the two needs they had were a big, strong defensive defenseman and a scoring winger. The defenseman need was filled first with the acquisition of Hal Gill from Toronto in exchange for a 2nd and 5th round pick. While his speed and maneuverability may be subject to concern, he brings exactly what the Penguins need. He's someone who can deliver hits, log a lot of ice time, and penalty kill. Teams will have a harder time pushing around the Penguins' D in front of the net now. The need for a scoring winger came shortly after and left jaws dropped all over the hockey world.

Atlanta Thrashers get:
Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito, and a 1st round pick.

Pittsburgh Penguins get:
Pascal Dupuis and MARIAN HOSSA!!!

OMG... Marian FREAK'N Hossa! The Penguins didn't just get a scoring winger to play with Sidney Crosby, they got one of the elite snipers in the game! At first glance, this trade seemed like serious overpayment by the Penguins, but it may not be. Letting go of Christensen was ok. He just was never able to live up to his scoring potential here. Colby is a heartbreaker. He was a fan-favorite here and a great locker room presence. But as much as we loved him, he was just a 3rd line role player. Pascal Dupuis can pretty much do what Colby does. The biggest parts of the trade were Esposito and the 1st rounder. Esposito is a huge question mark. He has the potential to become a bona fide superstar or a complete bust. He had an amazing year as a 16 year old but has not played back to those levels. He was basically a high risk, high reward prospect. The first rounder is another question mark. This year's draft is supposed to be a deep one and the Penguins have given up many of their picks. But if they do well, all those picks will be late ones. For years, the Penguins have been about building for the future. Today, they sent a different message, "The future is now!" They paid a high price for this. Their farm system is dry and they don't have picks to replenish it. Marian Hossa is an unrestricted free agent after this season. He could leave for nothing. And if the Penguins manage to resign him, it will be very costly. But the statement for this year has been made. We've seen the core of that future grow up before our very eyes. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ryan Whitney, Kris Letang... the core is intact. With the addition of Hossa, this team has become very... VERY LETHAL. It is now one of, if not the best team in the Eastern Conference. The expectations are set and the message is clear...

WE WANT THE STANLEY CUP NOW!