Typically, one of the last moves of the day also turned out to be one of the biggest: In the same way that the Edmonton Oilers traded Ryan Smyth at the 11th hour and 59th minute at last year’s trading deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins saved their best for last, plucking Marian Hossa out of Atlanta in a blockbuster deal that will make them the leading contender in the Eastern Conference, when the dust finally settles.
For Hossa and useful penalty-killer Pascal Dupuis, the Penguins surrendered two young players, Colby Armstrong and Erik Christiansen, plus prospect Angelo Esposito, their first-round pick in last year’s entry draft and another first-rounder this June. For the Thrashers, the deal represents a whole lot of tomorrow for a player, Hossa, that they acquired even-up for Dany Heatley. In the same way that Thrashers’ GM Don Waddell was a buyer at last year’s deadline – paying big prices for Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik – he was a seller this time around.
In sending Hossa to Pittsburgh rather than Ottawa, Montreal or Boston, Waddell immediately upgraded the Penguins from a team on the cusp of Stanley Cup contention to a legitimate contender. The Penguins have been flirting with the conference lead, even without Sidney Crosby, currently out with a high ankle sprain, in their line-up. Once Crosby returns and Hossa starts to get comfortable with his new team, their presence will represent a significant talent upgrade in a conference where most of the contenders either stood pat or got weaker. Hossa is considered one of the top power forwards in the game; and after a slow start, was up to 56 points in 60 games. The Thrashers eventually learned they couldn’t sign him; when that happened, they determined to make the best deal possible for his rights rather than lose him for nothing, even if it undermines their playoff hopes.
For Pittsburgh, meanwhile, there is a considerable long-term risk attached to the move. Given that Crosby’s contract extension kicks in next year (for $8.7 million per season) and they will ultimately have to pony up big to retain Evgeni Malkin the year after that, it is unclear how general manager Ray Shero might also find the $8 million or so required to sign Hossa beyond July 1. The ex-Leaf, Hal Gill, represents added toughness on a softish blue line, but mostly, the Penguins now have a legitimate star forward to play with Crosby, for now anyway. No matter how you may evaluate it down the road, the Penguins are clearly sending a signal: That they think the future isn’t off in the faraway distance.
It is now.
