A New Player is Thrown into the Mix!

By: MF, 

The minute that you take a break from your computer, and Pittsburgh Penguin hockey, they seem to dip their fingers into the trade bin, though this time there wasn't any trading done, per se. This time, they decided to claim a new player, fresh off from waivers. That new player would be forward Mark Arcobello, who was placed on waivers by the Nashville Predators on Tuesday (1/13/15). The next day, the Penguins grabbed him up and he was bound for Pittsburgh. Arcobello isn't a stranger to moving around, as the last two months have been a busy period for him.

First, he was traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Predators in late December. The next thing he knows ,the Predators are placing him on waivers. Now he is a part of the Penguins. Mike Johnston commented on Arcobello's skill set, "He's a smart player, has a good stick, manages the puck really well. Those are some of the things I saw in his game."

Arcobello comes to the Penguins excited and ready to become part of the locker room. He expressed,
"Anytime you can join a roster with such great players on it and big names it's definitely an honor. I'm excited to get to town and get going."

During his time with both the Oilers and Predators, Arcobello has recorded eight goals and 13 points in 40 games this season. He isn't the biggest guy on the ice coming in at 5-foot-8 and 172 pounds.

However, Arcobello doesn't let this his size get in his way, and sticks to his game. "I'm a smaller guy, but I can play physical at times," he went on to add, "I try to be as smart as I can and be responsible both offensively and defensively."

It will be nice to have a new guy added to the mix. David Perron has already contributed and fitting right into the Penguins' first line. Arcobello will factor into the third line, which has been lacking on the score sheet lately. He may be able to mesh with Brandon Sutter, like Perron and Sidney Crosby, who have teamed up well together.

Arcobello concluded, "I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait for the opportunity."

(All statistics were pulled from NHL.com and quotes from Penguins.NHL.com)