Goligoski Trade Overlook

On Monday the Pittsburgh Penguins made a big splash in the week leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline. They sent D Alex Goligoski to the Dallas Stars for F James Neal and D Matt Niskanen. I have mixed feeling about this trade. I'm one of the biggest Goligoski supporters out there and it hurts to see him go especially since he is having a spectacular. Goligoski was our 5th defenseman making only 1.8 million. His stats speak for them self, 5th in team scoring with 31pts and a team leading +20(tied with Crosby). In my eyes at 1.8 millions and those numbers as a 5th defenseman Goligoski is a steal. Its hard to find around the league a number one or two guy that has those type of numbers. I like the addition of Neal to lineup. He brings size, speed, a heavy shot and isn't scared of running through someone to get to the puck. I think he will be a nice fit with Sidney Crosby(concussion) and Chris Kunitz(upper-body injury) once they return from injury. As for Niskanen hes a guy in need of a change of scenery and hopefully Pittsburgh is the change he needs to revamp his game. I understand since the injury to Crosby and Malkin we've been struggling to score and that's what Neal brings to the table at 6' 2" 210lbs and only 23 years old. I just cant justify downgrading your defense for a scorer when we still are winning games and hold a solid playoff position in the current situation were in. I feel like it was a deal that didn't need to be made. You take away someone that logs quality minutes quarterbacking your powerplay and he by no means a defensive liability out there. Like I said I have mixed feeling, its hard to see Goligoski go but Neal will fit in well and hopefully it all works out in the end.

Penguins Vs. Blue Jackets Recap

The Pittsburgh Penguins fell to their cross state rival, Columbus Blue Jackets last night. Losing by a final score of 4-1. The Pens were without Captain Sidney Crosby for the 14 consecutive game since sustaining a concussion. Also absent from the lineup were Evgeni Malkin and Mark Letestu whom both have knee injuries. A game time scratch was the pens 2nd leading goal scorer, Chris Kunitz, whom missed because of an apparent lower body injury in between the morning skate and game time.
The Penguins just couldn't generate any offense, mustering up only one goal mid way through the third period. Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason had a tremendous game turning away 32 of 33 shots.

Game Notes- Kris Letang continues to struggle since Sidney Crosby absence from the lineup, finishing the game with a -3 rating. In 14 games without Crosby Letang has only 5 pts(1G-4A) and -5 rating...Pens record dropped to 8-5-1 without Crosby...Chris Kunitz has been listed as day-to-day with lower body injury....next game Thirsday vs. LA Kings 7 pm start time.

New Technology-Hawk-Eye

A new technology that caught me eye was Hawk-Eye. Hawk-Eye is a complex computer that visually tracks the path of the ball and displays a record of its most statisically likey path as a moving image. Hawk-Eye is used in Tennis, Cricket and other sports. Tennis relies on this system to help determine if the ball was in or out. I believe this technolgy can be used in other sports such as footbal and hockey. In football it can help determine if the ball crossed the goal line. Same thing for hockey, it can determine if the puck completly crosses the goal line.