With the NHL trade deadline five days away, calls will be made for the Penguins to add a shut-down defenseman or a scoring winger or anybody -- anybody -- to supplant the struggling Paul Martin. The Penguins may address all or some of these issues as they ramp up for a Stanley Cup run, but we were reminded again last night that the most vital piece of the championship puzzle is the guy minding the goal. And, it became clear once again that the Penguins are legit contenders because Marc Andre Fleury is among the best in the business, evidenced by his dominating performance in shttuing down the white-hot New York Rangers in a benchmark, 2-0, victory at Consol Energy Center. Fleury not only turned aside 27 shots, but many came in his trademark scintillating fashion, such as his pad save on Marc Staal late in the pivotal second period. The Pegnuins can add all the pieces they want in an effort to win the Cup, but their championship hopes will ultimately be decided by Fleury. And based on how he played against the best team in the East last night -- minus his top physical defenseman  Brooks Orpik -- the Penguins are in prime shape, with our without a blockbuster deal at the deadline.

Perhaps we got a real glimpse into the demise of the Pitt basketball team last night in an 18-point home loss to West Virginia. And it had nothing to do with the team's 17 turnovers or its inability to compete with the Mountaineers' big men in the low post. The revealation came after the game, when team "leader" and preseason Big East Player of the Year Ashton Gibbs decided he didn't want to meet with the media, instead leaving his teammates to answer questions about the Panthers' 10th Big East Conference loss, pretty much sealing their fate in missing out on the NCAA Tournament. Gibbs' inability to step forward and be accountable in this season filled with adversity speaks loudly to the lack of leadership for the Panthers. He was paraded around the media circuit when things were going well, particularly when he was being ticketed for numerous postseason honors, but as soon as the going got tough, Gibbs got going.   

Ben Roethlisberger spoke candidly to Mike Prisuta of the 'DVE Morning Show and 970-ESPN, and his words would best be described as revealing, surprising and mystifying. The veteran quarterback said he still hasn't spoken with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, nine days after Haley was hired. Mystifying. He also did not endores Hines Ward returning, saying only that "We will see." Not ringing support. And he said President Art Rooney II did not indicate to him that the Steelers need to run the ball more in 2012. Good to hear. Roethlisberger said much, much more. And, there is much to analyze and scrutinize, beginnng at 4 p.m. today.  

After further review, the Steelers should cut Hines Ward. Now. No sense leaving Ward guessing. No sense prompting him to publicly make pleas to stay with the Steelers, even at a reduced rate from the $4 million he is scheduled to make. Some would argue that Ward, who turns 36 in March, is worth keeping because of his influence in the locker room, his ability to make a tough catch, his loyalty to the organization. All are nice sentiments, but consider this: If Hines Ward's name were John Doe, and you watched him play as he did last year -- slow, vulnerable, relegated to the sidelines, ineffective -- would you even raise an eyebrow if the Steelers cut this John Doe? I'll answer that one: Not in the least. As a legacy and legend, Ward has few equals in the Steelers organization. As a backup wide receiver -- one who can't play special teams -- Ward is easily replaced.