Alexi Kovalev is once again a Penguin.

In Shero we trust...

The once great wingman for the Penguins, has returned after 8 years with other clubs, including international play. He spent time with the Rangers, Canadiens, Senators, and participated in Russian cups and the Russian olympic team. Kovalev played for the penguins from the 98-99 season onto the 02-03 season. He was dished to the Rangers during the 2003 season after 54 games.

Kovalev as a Penguin scored more than 60 points four times, including a monster season in 00-01 where he scored 44 goals and had 51 assists for 95 total points. In his career as a Penguin he has 149 goals 198 assists and 347 total points. Numbers all of Penguins nation hope to see increase now that he will be wearing a Pen's sweater again.

Pittsburgh only gives up a 7th round pick for Kovalev, however if they do get past the first round of the playoffs, and Kovalev plays in more than 50% of the games, he will then command a 6th round pick instead. Kovalev, unlike James Neal is a wingman rental and not long term, Alexei will become an unrestricted free agent after July 1st.

With Letestu, Kunitz and Jeffrey coming back from injury soon and two new wingmen for them to work with, here is hoping they can both get the Center back they really want to play with in Sidney Crosby before the end of the season.

Trade Magic or Fuel for a Dallas run? Goligoski to Stars for Neal and Niskanen.

In Shero we trust.

Though, there went Goligoski out the door after three years with the Penguins, his 31 points and +20 are gone for a winger in James Neal and a defenseman in Matt Niskanen. Neal is going to apparently be the wing man that goes in for Crosby (Staalsy) and produces the big time offense we're looking for.

So what message is this sending. In the beginning of the season we had a focus on revitalizing our defense. We succeeded exceptionally in building a team with a top five GAA, and the number one PK unit in the league. Now the club has let go of one of it's better, and younger defensemen in Goligoski. Alex may not have always gotten every puck on net, or kept the puck on his stick in the defensive zone without coughing it up consistently, but he didn't get a +20 for no reason. In addition to his 9 goals you have the 22 assisted scoring opportunities. Thats a lot of extra scoring chances he set up for another teammate in the zone to send home a goal creating an opportunity to win a game.

Though we don't have that now, and admittedly I don't know much about the two new players we have obtained. So with the coming day off for the 'guins after this past weekend's losses it will a be a good time for the team to get a solid practice in and teach these guys the system they only see once or twice a season. It'll be an adjustment for the rest of us too I'm sure.