Penguins update

Not much going on right now for the Penguins. They signed Alexandre Picard a 6'3" 215lb defenseman with significant NHL experience to a one year deal that would pay him 600K at the NHL level. Is this a move to allow the Pens to move Niskanen and use that nearly 1M in cap space to improve the depth up front, or add a Rupp type grinder? Or is it just a depth move for WBS? I hope the Pens add another crasher upfront, who can play a nasty game, someone like Jesse Winchester? Most of the experts think that both the Capitals and Rangers got decidedly better this offseason, and some think that the Flyers may have as well. The Penguins did very little of note, BUT they did keep the bulk of their players, and getting Crosby and Malkin back is more than the equivalent of any FA signing done anywhere by anyone. I think the Penguins will miss Mike Rupp's size and game, but the more I read up on Steve Sullivan, the more I understand the calculated risk of bringing him in, the better I like it. If you consider the huge dollars being thrown around for marginal players, getting Sullivan at 1.5M for a year looks pretty good. IF he can stay healthy, he could be that speedy threat up front to really compliment either Crosby or Malkin. The guy has been a top notch threat in this league in the past. His health will be a big concern for the team, but all in all I have come to terms with that move. Ok, so if you step back and think about it, the Penguins will come to the table this season with the best center depth in the league, as has been the case for awhile. They will come to the table with as good a top 4 defensive corps as there is in the league, and very solid depth for the 5th-7th spots. They will come to the table for a full season with two wingers in Neal and Sullivan that are more suited for top six roles than the guys they started last year with. Fleury rebounded from a sub par 2009-2010 season to post strong numbers in the absence of Geno and Crosby. We keep hearing reports that Malkin is in great shape and more motivated than he has been in years. There is reason for optimism despite the bigger splash being made by other Eastern conference teams. Remember, the Pens only had 4 periods of play lasgt season with their top 3 centers on the ice to compliment their newly improved defense. A healthy Crosby and a healthy motivated Malkin will make a HUGE difference on this team. Finally, if TK can play at the level he did in the second half of the season, the Penguins will have a top 9 as good as any in the league. 92 days until we start to find out!