NHL Trade Deadline

Good trade for the Panthers. Welch is going to be very good in a year or two. The Sabres should be the runaway favourite in the East, but with all of their injuries they leave it pretty wide open. The Penguins have as good a shot as anyone in the East this year, and adding Roberts gives them some much needed toughness without giving up when of their core young guys. As soon as they add a top four defencemen (Nick Boynton) the will be the team to beat in the East. Maybe Mario will come out of retirement to lead them to the Cup!

Impressive trade. Pittsburgh is definitely a team to fear in the playoffs now. The price seems right as they keep their main body intact, and they pick up more verteran leadership that can keep the young guys heads in the game. Roberts posses the physical fitness and hockey sense to help take this team deep into the playoff's and the potential for another good year is always an upside.

I strongly believe that this is a poor trade for Pittsburg. Gary Roberts is far past his prime. All of the leadership in the world will not help him keep up with the pace of the Pens. Not to mention those old bones that will be getting smashed around come playoff time. Way to trade away one of your best prospects Pittsburg.

I find the previous comment regarding Gary Roberts to be incorrect. Gary Roberts is a machine and is the pinnacle of physical fitness. As a kid, I idolized him and hoped that Edmonton would trade for him because he was my hero. Go Gary go.

Way to go Pens! This is a huge trade that makes the Pens an instant contender. Roberts is a tough vet who knows how to win...the only ingredient missing from Sid the Kids game.

Somehow through all my years eating and sleeping hockey I missed "one of your best prospects". First time I've seen the name Noah Welch in print. To me it looks like a trade for a bag of hockey pucks, but then I'm not watching Wilkes-Barre's stats and phenoms.

I figured Pittsburgh would be out for a Georges Larocque type, but I think given their current performance they want to give it a serious shot. Roberts has enough in the tank for a good playoff run and is that game breaker type that can help win those tight games.

Short term leadership and intangibles may come at a high price, but if it gets the Pens to the second or third round, it will be well worth the sacrifice for a fragile team.

Excuse me. But Noah Welch is one of the most highly touted prospects to come along since jay boumeester. I think you need to look no further than his sauve puck handling ability and general ability to control a game. This guy is a blue chipper. And that you can take to the bank.

Welch is a good prospect, but with Crosby, Malkin, Whitney, Talbot, Ouellet, Malone, Christensen, Armstrong, and Staal in the lineup, they have the depth to trade a prospect. Well done by the Pens in acquiring Roberts. To say he has nothing left in the tank is ludicrous. He will chomping at the bit to join a lineup with the best player in the NHL. Who wouldn't?

They still lack a Colin White type defenseman to round out their lineup, but if Fleury can keep the goals against in the playoffs under 3, they will surprise someone. Hey, they are going to score two power play goals a game regardless. Roberts will be the guy standing in front of the net taking the beatings while Crosby, Gonchar, Malkin and company score the pretty goals.

The last piece of the puzzle is in place. Laraque has been added to the Pens

I think this trade should help the pens. I have not been impressed with Welch and we have a good prospect in Letang plus a couple more young defensemen. We could use a Souray type defensemen with experience. Lets go Pens!!

Beginning in the 1980’s I started a Flames Shrine in my living room, intending to bring good luck for the fierce battles of Alberta. Roberts was an important part of this franchise and I have always had some Roberts memorabilia included as part of my shrine. That veteran leadership, clutch scoring, and play off toughness - that’s the Roberts I have admired and so many Flame fans enjoyed for so many years. Although Roberts is not as young as he used to be, I think the experience he will bring to the Pens is irreplaceable. Go Gary Go!!

I cant believe Ottawa wasn't able to land Roberts when all they had to give up was a prospect, Mukler is useless. Watch, Ottawa is going to end up with nothing for something again, anyone remember great aquistion tyler arnason for bochenski???

Back when I was a kid, I used to have Gary Roberts posters in my room. I still have them up because that goes to show what a loyal fan that I am. To this day, Gary Roberts embodies everything that I strive to be in life and I personally believe that he has the smoothest stride since the likes of Paul Coffey. Gary, if you are reading this, I wish you all the best, and it is my dream one day to meet you (and Kelly Hrudey). Peace.

That's kinda funny, I used to be a fan of Roberts until the 2000-01 playoffs (or somewhere around there) when him, Shayne Corson and Darcy Tucker acted like the biggest babies I'd ever seen. Whining to the refs was a given every time one of them stepped on the ice!

Kinda reminds me of another popular Leaf's actions late in last night's game against the Habs....

Thank you, everyone appreciates having such loyal fans - although the guy with shrine is a bit creepy.

I think Pittsburgh got the better of the deal. Robert's leadership will definately help with the young Penguins. Plus he can be a winger that can FINISH along side Crosby. Too bad the Pens didn't dump Ryan Malone, a 4th line palyer on any othe rteam in the league. Getting Laraque will open up the ice even more for Crosby.