If Bucci Says the Penguins Need a Scoring Winger, Uh Oh

Thankfully the Penguins didn't overpay for him. Ray Shero's intellect is far superior to Neil Huntington's. He's not as talented as Hossa. He's not going to play with a broken nose like Malone. And yet, Satan has six goals in 12 games on pace for 41 this season.

If you had told Penguins fans that Satan was going to cost $3.5 million and score 41 goals, which is actually 12 more than Hossa scored last year, I think we'd be quite thrilled.

The problem playing in a blue-collar town is that it is very demanding yet honest with its players. That being said, Satan doesn't play with the energy level of Malone or the determination of Hossa. He is as lethargic as a NBA player. And some natives are getting restless. John Buccigross ESPN's hockey expert certainly is.

My friends, it's okay, we're 12 games into the season. The offensive chemistry will come, whether or not it's as flashy as Hossa or as gritty as Malone.

We lost Hossa and Malone, not Crosby and Malkin. Relax. I strongly believe that due to Whitney and Gonchar's injuries we wont have another 102 point season, but we'll certainly make the playoffs. No one but the Red Wings wants to play us in a seven game playoff series. I can assure you that.

In all the panic of our 6-4-2 start, the defense has carried us without two of its top players. Fluery is being managed better to avoid injuries and Malkin is playing like he gets a free case of vodka after every shift.

It will be more than okay for the Penguins and their fans—especially if Ray Shero goes out at the trade deadline and brings in another stud. Or will the Hossa incident scare him away?

I trust Ray Shero at the trade deadline. I hope he gunslings his way through another early March day. Malkin, Crosby, and Fluery are signed through 2014. That's your core. The time is now, chemistry be damned. Just get them help if they need it.

Was Satan an acceptable replacement to Hossa? It's difficult to replace a player like Hossa, but maybe we did miss out on a couple of better options.

If the Penguins were willing to spend $3.5 million on Satan, why not offer Markus Naslund the $8 million over two years that the Rangers offered? Naslund scored 40 plus goals in a three-year stretch from 2000-2003.

Surely he would have loved a chance to return to that form playing along side Crosby. I much prefer Naslund's game to Satan's, and as a former Penguin he understands what it's like to play here. Instead, we are assigned with slowing him down.

Sticking in New York and going crazy, Penguins blogs were buzzing for the possible return of Double J 68. I don't even want to think about a power play featuring Jagr, Crosby, Stall in front, Malkin and Gonchar at point. It pumps my chubby.

To really step out on an isolated tree branch, what about Petr Forsberg and Mats Sundin? Sure both are natural centers, but maybe they'd like to play on a wing with Crosby. Or maybe they'd like to center the second line so Malkin can permanently play with Crosby.

Did we try hard enough this past free agency? Did we explore all options? Will we be better off next season?

Wishful thinking for new players either at the trade deadline or in free agency is a lot of fun, but mostly based on myth. Just like the imminent downfall of the Penguins. We'll be fine.

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