Ray Shero has again shown the arm chair GM's across the city how to do the job with patience. People have been clamoring for the Penguins to grab Alex Kovalev for the past week or two for a 4th round pick, a 5th and Talbot, a 5th and a prospect........some radio talk show host admonishing Shero for not making a move for such a low cost. Well, Ray outdid them again. He brought Kovalev back to Pittsburgh for a conditional 7th round pick. If the Penguins advance past the first round of the playoffs, it is a 6th round pick. Kovalev's prorated cap hit on his 5M salary is about 1M to the Penguins, leaving them room to make another mid-level acquisition, or better if they move some more salary back to WBS or as part of their next deal. Is this a good deal for the Penguins? Given the low cost, and possible HIGH return it is a GREAT move for this team. According to some reputable sources, this trade would not have been made if the Penguins thought that Crosby would not be coming back, as it is most likely a rental for the Pens. That said, Kovy is a pure goal scorer, having tallied 426 goals and 591 assists for a total of 1017 points in his career. Despite a horrid start, he has 14 goals and 13 assists on the season, and 9 point in his past 10 games. The people who argued against bring Kovalev back have said the following: Kovalev is a lazy player, Kovalev is a locker room issue, Kovalev is one dimensional, Kovalev is an enigma. All of this is true. However, the following is true as well. Kovalev, along with Neal will be a HUGE upgrade in offensive potential for a goal starved team. Kovalev will have a positive impact on the power play, and can play the point or along the wall. Kovalev's relationship with Lemieux, and great past history with the Pens could bring out the best in Kovalev. Kovalev at 38 years old with 426 goals, and in the last year of his contract may be motivated to try and land a two year deal somewhere to take a run at 500 goals. I really like this deal given the low risk aspect of it for the Penguins. If Kovalev would play up to his still considerable skill level, the Penguins have just become a much more dangerous team, particularly on the power play. A decent power play may have added a few more points over this past dry spell. Kovalev is also a legitimate threat in a shootout. A couple of extra points there could be the difference between home ice in the final playoff standings. As the team regains its health, they could have a top six forward group to include Crosby, Kunitz, Neal, Staal, Kovalev, and (Clark MacArthur). Their defense and goaltending has been top notch, as has their bottom six forward group. That lineup would be no easy out in the playoffs. I truly look for Shero to add another top six forward or high end third liner to bolster this team's playoff outlook. On a final note, please recognize what these moves mean in terms of the Penguins commitment to the fans. Everyone talks about the cap space that is available due to the serious injuries sustained by key Penguins players, and how much we can now spend to get other players. DO NOT FORGET THAT MARIO LEMIEUX AND RON BURKLE STILL HAVE TO PAY THE SALARIES OF ALL THE INJURED PLAYERS TOO. My point is that the Penguins are spending every dollar they can to put a winning product on the ice, despite the fact that they had already spent to the cap prior to the injuries. The money paid to Neal, Kovalev, Niskanen and any other trade deadline pick ups is real money over and above what they had already committed. You can not question the desire of this ownership group to win, or to give the fans what they want. Thank you! We appreciate it.
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