Pittsburgh Penguins Make Some Noise before Deadline

The Pittsburgh Penguins have in no way lived up to the expectations placed on them at the beginning of the season. However, they are in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, though just barely.

They are currently in the eighth spot in the race for the playoffs with 76 points, tied with the New York Rangers and the red-hot Florida Panthers. The Pittsburgh management felt they needed more firepower on their squad to make the postseason and go far in the playoffs.

Just six days since acquiring LW Chris Kunitz, who has already posted five points in his first three games with the Pens, the team made another move. Before the trade deadline last week, Pittsburgh acquired Bill Guerin from the NY Islanders in exchange for a conditional draft pick, which could range from a fifth- to a third-round pick depending on where the Pens end up in the standings. 

Guerin isn't the only newsmaker on the Penguins. Pittsburgh also acquired RW Craig Adams off waivers from Chicago.

Guerin, now 38, has posted average numbers this season, with 16 goals and 20 assists.  He will most likely be on the first line with Sidney Crosby when he returns from his groin injury. Guerin is also close to making history with the Pens, as he is only one point away from the 800th of his career. 

He is no spring chicken. Guerin is the strong veteran the Penguins felt they needed to get into, and through, the playoffs.

Adams, currently 31 years old, is now in his eighth year in the NHL. He is an aggressive third- or fourth-line player who plays both ways on the ice. He is the type of player the Penguins want, a two-way, gritty player. Adams has only six points this season in 36 games, and has 89 points in his career.

Both players bring different aspects to the Penguins' game. Guerin brings veteran scoring ability, while Adams supplies grittiness on the lower lines. Either way, the Penguins' moves during the deadline were a success. They acquired Kunitz (who is already fitting in nicely), Guerin, and Adams.

The Penguins should go far with these three acquisitions playing alongside Crosby, Malkin, and the rest of the squad. Watch out for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2009 postseason.