Fantasy Impact: The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired the enigmatic Alex Kovalev from Ottawa in exchange for a conditional draft pick.

The Penguins get: An aging winger still capable of putting the puck in the net. He was cleary lacking any sort of motivation in Ottawa, so perhaps a new (but familiar) home will be just what the doctor ordered. The Penguins are severely lacking in talent up front right now, so expect Kovalev to be given every opportunity to succeed.

Fantasy Players Impacted:

Kovalev goes from cast-off on a horrible club to a potential centerpiece on a club desperate for any offense. This move helps most of Pittsburgh's players as it gives them a potentially talented linemate (especially those on the first power play unit). The risk is that Kovalev continues his lacadasical play. For a conditional draft pick, it seems like a move Pittsburgh had no choice but to make.

I don't think Crosby is coming back this season, but if he does, Kovalev could potentially line up with him in a variety of situations.

In Ottawa, this opens up more ice time for Bobby Butler and a few of Ottawa's other young wingers.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Kovalev

2. Butler

3. Marek Svatos

4. Jordan Staal

5. Mark Letestu

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

Comments (8)

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Big Ev said:

	... @Yanick, Pens also have to win a round for it to change to a 6th @angus, yeah but they also have to pay him, so I don't think they'd waste money if they didn't think Crosby would be back playing with AK27 (or whatever his number will be in Pittsburgh, Craig Adams wears #27 haha)
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February 25, 2011
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Yanick said:

	... Its a 7th round pick or a 6th rounder if Kovalev plays more than 50% of the playoff games.
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February 25, 2011
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Jeff Angus said:

	... It's a conditional 7th.
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February 25, 2011
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Big Ev said:

	... Pretty sure they wouldn't have done the deal if they didn't think Crosby was coming back.
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February 24, 2011
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loco man said:

	... REALLY hoping that Kennedy keeps a spot on the top PP. I just grabbed the guy and he pots 2 G's. Kovy may have just ended that run. Curious as to how this will affect Kennedy - Staal - Neal line.
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February 24, 2011
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Jeff Angus said:

	... Meant Svatos, not Shannon. Thanks for the reminder!
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February 24, 2011
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kjazz said:

	Sterling and Svatos What about Sterling in PIT and Svatos in OTT? In Neal's first game, Sterling only had 9:24 TOI, but still 2 min on PP. I'm guessing Kovy's arrival will kill any minimal value Sterling has... I saw the comment in ramblings that Svatos was picked up off waivers by Ottawa. I'm guessing this trade also helps him as OTT will give him more playing time, will they not?
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February 24, 2011
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David said:

	crosby what makes you say he's not coming back this year?
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February 24, 2011
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