No Joking Around

Going into the season, there was plenty of hype surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins. With GM Bennett taking over the team in the offseason and adding solid names, it was established that this team would be going full force for a stanley cup this year. However, with the hype came a lot of questions around the time. Some of the teams top 6 are established but many were wondering who could step up for the club other the phenom Sidney Crosby, Joe Pavelski, and Derek Roy. There was also questions involving the defense on if the youth could step up and play big minutes behind the only proven D-man Shea Weber, could the Penguins put aside the criticism and play how they could.

Ranked 4th by The Hockey News author Dylan Wilson/Panthers GM, the Pens shot out of the gate going undefeated for the first 11 games. You might think Sidney Crosby had something to do with it however the teams success came from everyone contributing. The leading point getter is yes Crosby however he is only averaging a ppg. Following Crosby are Derek Roy and Phil Kessel who was acquired in the offseason. "It sure feels good proving the critics wrong, especially the Florida Panthers who questioned the team," Captain Crosby said in an interview. "That being said, I wish all the best for the Panthers as I believe they can be a sleeper pick this year as friends Matt Duchene and Steve Mason anchor the team."

With this all being said, the Penguins are currently 13-1-5 in the teams first 19 games of the year. Not wanting to mess much with chemistry, GM Bennett as always went looking for deals to help better the team without subtracting from the nucleus and messing up chemistry.

The first of the deals would be with the Chicago Blackhawks. Talks were rather easy with Mr. Semonick and the trade saw Pittsburgh send Brandon Pirri and Jason Zucker to the Hawks for Casey Borer and Matt Taormina. GM Bennett acknowledges the loss of Brandon Pirri and Jason Zucker noting they were two prospects flying under the radar. "Trading Pie and Zucks was iffy to me but when we have the prospect depth still and were set up the middle with Crosby, Little Joe, and Derks we thought we could do it. Getting Taors we believe we have a solid defenseman who has been flying under the radar of late. The scouting squad suggested we make a move before other GM's started noticing him as he's been getting solid minutes in the NHL. As for Borer, we see him as a depth role player who could be a project.

The second deal was announced not even hours later, this time with the Boston Bruins. The deal saw Toronto Marlies stalwart James Reimer coming to the Pens in exchance for Dannick Paquette and Shawn Lalonde. "In all honesty, this was probably the hardest out of all deals and I have no clue why it would be. Getting the asking price down from John Mcfarland and a 5th to two prospects we have little use for was absolutely critical. We believe Reimer has the ability to become a #1 goalie one day and it's a low risk/high reward deal we believe." When asked about coming to Pittsburgh, Reimer was quoted as saying, "I'm happy joining the Penguins. The nucleus is great, I'll have a shot at the #1 next year, and I absolutely hated Providence as my former GM stated who cares if I have to sit in the AHL?" a disgruntled Reimer said to TSN.

The next 2 deals were not of mass amount but certainly helped the Penguins depth wise. Brought in from well respected trading partner the Florida Panthers was Jay Mckee in exchange for a 5th rounder. "In Mckee we believe he brings a defensive presence that most of our rookies lack as well as leadership and experience. That being said he will be in our lineup for the next game and if gives guys like Karlsson and Kulikov more time to mature in the minors. We know the Panthers like their 5th rounders, however this might come back to bite us in the butt come draft day." The other deal saw Jere Lehtinen headed to Pittsburgh in exchange for a pick and a prospect. "With Jere we get a solid checking winger who will also help on the experience part. We can explore the possibilities of moving Clutter to the opposite wing and playing on a line with Jere. More experience is key"

The final deal of late was the biggest of late GM Bennett believes. "In all honesty I didn't think we'd get the two players we did for the price we did," Bennett was told telling the Sabres GM at school one day heard by near by reporters. The deal saw the Penguins send reliable Glen Metropolit, Kris Letang, and Jamie Arniel to the Phoenix Coyotes of Arizone for Tyler Bozak and Marc Edward Vlasic. "The deal is a win for us the team believes. We bring in both Bozak and Vlasic who are locked up and for very fair contracts. Both have excellent defensive and checking ratings, while Bozak has the potential to be a #2 centreman in the league. With his great faceoff attributes, he will fit perfectly on a line with Lehtinen and Clutter. Sure they can bruise, but they can also score."

Times are certainly entertaining for Penguins fans. With the recent deals made, GM Bennett stated, "we are going for the cup and anything but this year will be a disappointment. Going for the cup though, do not be surprised if you see us make atleast 2 more moves, 1 for a #1 goalie who we can lock up and another for a top 6 winger." Be excited Pittsburgh fans, and hop on the bandwagon cause this team is going places!