Penguins swoop for Marian Hossa as trade window closes

By Steve Keating

TORONTO (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired sniper Marian Hossa from the Atlanta Thrashers in a blockbuster deal completed in the final minutes before the NHL trade deadline on Tuesday.

With just two minutes remaining before the trade window closed (1500 ET), the Penguins snapped up Hossa and Pascal Dupuis for a trio of forwards -- Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen and Angelo Esposito -- and a first-round draft pick.

The Thrashers's second leading scorer with 26 goals and 30 assists, Hossa had been targeted by several teams eager to add some offense for a Stanley Cup run.

Atlanta had not wanted to part with Hossa and tried to sign him to a long-term deal but rather than lose the high-scoring winger to free agency they fielded numerous offers before deciding on the Penguins package.

Hossa adds another weapon to one of the NHL's most lethal attacks, the Slovak joining a roster that includes the league MVP and reigning scoring champion Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who is tied for the NHL scoring lead on 82 points.

"I'm going to have a chance to play with great players and I'm really looking forward to it," Hossa told Canada's all sports network TSN. "I don't really think about a contract extension right now, I'm just excited that I have been traded to a great team.

"What can I say, he (Crosby) is the greatest young player playing right now, playing with him is a great chance and I try to take advantage of that."

Hossa, who has 296 goals and 638 points in 10 seasons with the Ottawa Senators and Atlanta, is expected to play on a line centered by Crosby, the NHL's top playmaker.

While the trade elevates the Penguins to favorites to win the Eastern Conference, the deal could prove risky having paid a steep price for a player that remains a free agent and may not even be on the Pittsburgh roster next season.

Moments before finalizing the Hossa trade, the Penguins announced they had added some muscle to their blueline acquiring hulking defenseman Hal Gill from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a second and fifth-round draft picks.

(Editing by Miles Evans)