The National Hockey League Trade Deadline has come and gone and Penguins’ General Manager Ray Shero decided not to make another trade on Monday after acquiring forwards James Neal, Alexei Kovalev, and defenseman Matt Niskanen.  These deals show their dedication to the future as well as their commitment to winning now, despite the injuries to superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.The acquisition of James Neal is a great trade for the Penguins because it is an act of faith in the team this season, even without Crosby and Malkin, as well as a move for the future as well.  At age 23, Neal has already shown in three years in the NHL that he can score goals and play with talented centers like Dallas’ Brad Richards and Mike Ribiero.  With 21 goals already this season, he instantly becomes the team’s leading healthy goal scorer.Neal is obviously a dynamic offensive player and should blend in well with the young stars on the Penguins, making the future even more exciting for Penguins’ fans. If these players mesh well, it will make the Penguins even more dangerous in the long run.  Shero, has said in the past that he wants to create a team that will win for years to come, and this move accomplishes that goal while helping the Penguins now as well.Alex Kovalev has returned to Pittsburgh after playing for the Penguins from 1999-2002, and he has now changed his name from Alexei to Alex and his number from 27 to 72.  He has brought a veteran attitude to the locker again much like Bill Guerin did in his two years with the club.  Kovalev, at the age of 38-years-old, is not here for the future, but his high skill level gives the Penguins some offensive support with Crosby’s injury status unknown and Malkin out for the season.Kovalev has already made his presence known on the ice by scoring a key goal on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as scoring the winning shootout goal.  I am personally hoping that they can sign him for next season to have his veteran attitude and scoring ability on the ice with Crosby and Malkin.After making those moves last week, it was hard to think that they were going to make a move on deadline day.  I think the Penguins feel that when they make the playoffs they have enough players that can score, and their defense has been solid all season and with Marc-Andre Fleury in net I believe they can still make a playoff run. However, without Crosby and Malkin, their work will be cut out for them but hopefully Crosby will join them in the playoffs.Fingers crossed.Your time is up in the penalty box you can head back out onto the ice.