Alexei Kovalev

The Penguins won seven straight shootouts on their way to an 8-2 record in games decided by a shootout round. These weren't consecutive games, but it was still an impressive streak and the Pens have continued their shootout success into 2010.

It seemed like every other game the Penguins played this season without their two superstars ended in shootout. While it is an uncanny way to decide a highly competitive contest, it is exciting and suspenseful nonetheless.

Marc-Andre Fleury stepped onto the ice to receive the first team MVP award ever given at the Penguin's new home, the CONSOL Energy Center, prior to the team's Sunday afternoon matchup with the Florida Panthers.

Since Sidney Crosby, the face of the franchise, who was last year's most valuable player, hadn't played in two months, it left the honor wide open for the taking.

Looking at the Penguin's current injury roster, a lot of people may be thinking that they are down and out.

Although the Pens are definitely a different team without its core of stars, it's no reason to write them off so easily. The acquisition of veteran forward Alexei Kovalev and power forward James Neal could catapult the Penguins' offense into something to behold again.  

Ray Shero must not have been satisfied with just getting James Neal and Matt Niskanen, as he traded a seventh-round pick to the Ottawa Senators for former Pens winger Alexei Kovalev.

Kovalev, now 38 years old, is returning to the Penguins after having some successful and unsuccessful stints in New York (Rangers), Montreal and most recently, Ottawa. 

With one look at the headline, I’m sure most of you have already planned to dislike this article.

Penguins fans just don’t badmouth Ray Shero. He is a deity among Pittsburgh devotees. Everything he touches turns to gold. He can do no wrong.

No one ever wants to get branded as the worst of their profession but it is inevitable that in every job, some are very good and others, well, not so much.  In the midst of one of their worst seasons in franchise history, Bryan Murray, GM of the Ottawa Senators, has to wear the dunce cap as the worst General Manager in the National Hockey League.  Not even Mad Mike Milbury could top what Murray has done to Senators Nation.  

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired veteran right-winger Alexei Kovalev on Thursday after much speculation that a deal would in fact go down.

The Senators acquired a 7th round pick in exchange for Kovalev who had a less than stellar stay in Ottawa. Kovalev was a Penguin for over four seasons earlier in his career but has seen production drop off as of late.

He could be a good addition to a team that added James Neal and will have captain Sidney Crosby return soon.

Brad Richards mind as well be nicknamed "Blockbuster". 

Why?

Well, it seems like every trade deadline, he is always in rumors and if you back track to 2008, he was in the biggest trade that saw him go from Tampa Bay to Dallas.

This time, it seems like he will be apart of another one, though speculation is that there's no specific asking price for Richards because as Stars GM, Joe Nieuwendyk reiterated on NHL Live on Wednesday that the organization hasn't decided whether to try and trade their top centre or not.

Well everyone, get ready as the hashtag that swept Twitter will once again be brought to life.

Early Thursday morning Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman swapped goalies with the Anaheim Ducks bringing in back up Curtis McElhinney.

Ellis has been used seldom since the Lightning acquired Dwayne Roloson from the New York Islanders.

Ellis is currently 13-7-6 in 31 games with a .889 save percentage and a 2.73 goals against average.

The NHL trade deadline is right around the corner, and Bleacher Report is the place to be for up-to-the-minute trades and rumors.

I'll be on top of rumors and the wheeling and dealing. I am hoping for a busy day in the NHL as we close in on the deadline on Monday.

So far we have had a few trades take place, some of the blockbuster variety.

Tomas Kaberle, Chris Stewart and Erik Johnson have all found new homes.