I'd like to know something...how can a team have Evgeni Malkin, Sid the Kid Crosby, Petr Sykora, Jordan Staal, and that ol' devil Miroslav Satan, and yet be barely above .500?

Well, for one thing, where's the beef? Last year the Pens played more like their PA Turnpike-connected counterparts in Philly, when they beat the snot out of you and made you pay for stealing the puck and trying to be clever down along the boards. This year, Cooke hits, and...well, you know, what is up with Crosby? He looks restrained. Has Therrien told him that he needs to be on the ice more and in the box less? Wouldn't be surprised.

The rumor mill has them trading either Malkin (ha ha ha, what a joke) or Staal because of their high salaries. Staal was supposed to deliver all-around goods, but he's only put up a few decent hits all season long while his offensive output is down. Why not trade him for someone like...oh, I don't know, how about Hossa? "Crazy," you say; Detroit isn't going to part with Hossa. Well, wait a minute...I see your point, but may I also ask "why not?" Hossa is great but he's seven years older than the up and coming Staal, and Detroit could use some younger blood. Pittsburgh could use another veteran score-hound, and one who's tough at that. I think it's a do-able deal.

Another suggestion: Have Sykora trade places with Kennedy. Give The Kid somebody different to pass to. The veteran Sykora is a former Devil and tough, and note that he is a veteran. This line could really do some damage and give the Pens two balanced attacking lines.

But without the hitters on defense, there's just too much parity between shooting and getting shot at. If we want the playoff seed, they need to start hitting again.