Penguins News: Pittsburgh Gets Marian Hossa for Cup Run

I'd like to put my two cents in regarding the trade of Marian Hossa to the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team already boasting two of the brightest stars in the NHL.

Hossa, along with Pascal Dupuis were sent to Pittsburgh yesterday from Atlanta for Eric Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito, the Pens' first round selection in 2007, as well as, a first round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft.

Hossa will join a Pens' lineup which includes the dangerous duo of Sidney Crosby, who is close to returning from a high ankle sprain and Evgeni Malkin, the NHL's top point producer.

This season, Hossa registered 26 goals and 56 points in 60 games with the Thrashers. 

On paper, it appears the Penguins gave up a lot to get the former member of the Ottawa Senators.  But, I don't think so.

If one judges a trade on who got the best player, than you must certainly give that to Pittsburgh.

Hossa is a wonderful playmaker, and he'll likely improve the fortunes of Pittsburgh's already potent powerplay. How 'bout the quintet of Hossa-Malkin-Crosby-Petr Sykora-Sergei Gonchar when the Pens have the extra man? 

It should send shivers down the spines of Pens' opponents now and into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Essentially, that's why general manager Ray Shero made the trade for the 29-year-old forward: for a run at the Cup, in a conference that is truly up for grabs.

Shero believes that Hossa's all-world talent will blend nicely with Crosby and Malkin and give coach Michel Therrien another offensive weapon against the likes of Ottawa, New Jersey and Montreal.  

Some will argue that Hossa, a terrific point-getter in the regular season, becomes invisible when the playoffs roll around.  But, that's not entirely true.

If you look at his statistics in the post-season, the Slovak has managed to produce 35 points in 55 games.  Not great numbers, but not awful either.

In fairness to Hossa, everyone knows that goal-scoring in the playoffs is down, while tight-checking and defence is up.

Also, the right winger was part of an Ottawa Senators squad that underachieved as a whole in the playoffs.   He along with Daniel Alfredsson, Alexei Yashin, Radek Bonk, and Martin Havlat all went through post-season growing pains.

Hossa is expected to make his Pittsburgh debut Thursday night in Boston against the Bruins.  And, if you're a Pens' fan, you should be salivating at the prospects of having another game-breaking player joining your team.

Not to mention, the best player from Tuesday's trade with the Thrashers.