Penguins Acquire Neal and Niskanen for Goligoski

[Thrillhouse]

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen from the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenseman Alex Goligoski, it was announced by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

Neal, 23, is in his third NHL season. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound left winger ranked third on the Stars this season with 21 goals and fifth with 39 points.

A native of Whitby, Ontario, Neal established career highs offensively last season with 27 goals, 28 assists and 55 points in 78 games. In 214 NHL games the 2005 second-round pick (33rd overall) has 72 goals and 131 points. He is a three-time 20-goal scorer.

Neal spent four seasons with the Plymouth Whalers (Ontario Hockey League), tallying 68 goals and 173 points in 187 games.

Niskanen, 24, is in his fourth NHL season. The 6-foot, 200-pound defenseman has posted six assists in 45 games this season. Niskanen’s best season came in 2008-09 when he led all Dallas defenders in scoring with 35 points (6G-29A).

The Virginia, Minnesota native was Dallas’ first-round selection (28th overall) in 2005. In 277 career games with the Stars, Niskanen tallied 16 goals and 82 points. Niskanen has three assists in 16 career postseason appearances.

Prior to joining the Stars, Niskanen spent two seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he scored 45 points (10G-35A) in 77 career contests.

[Thrillhouse]

Liking this deal a lot for Pittsburgh

[ScottRasner]

Pittsburgh with the fleece job of Dallas.

[Wadubbin]

Whoa!!!Just read that this MIGHT happen,and I came here and it seems that it is done....Like the move for the Pens...What else are the Pens giving up????

[OilersHockey]

Win Penguins.

Neal is a real asset - Niskanen's stock has decreased of late, but I still think he's NHL caliber.

I don't know how you trade a YOUNG near 30 goal scorer (21 goals in 59 games so far this year) for a 40-50 point D man... Wierd.

[thepolishkid88]

The fact we get Niskanen in this deal makes it even more unreal. Hope Sid and him brush things over.

Neal, Staal, Malkin, Crosby, Letang and looking at Tangradi and Despres down the line and Bennett a year after them....wow.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

The fact we get Niskanen in this deal makes it even more unreal. Hope Sid and him brush things over.

Neal, Staal, Malkin, Crosby, Letang and looking at Tangradi and Despres down the line and Bennett a year after them....wow.

Don't forget Joe Vitale

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

Don't forget Joe Vitale

Haha NO DOUBT!

Everyone was writing us off and saying we wouldnt do well, and that we would live with the scraps out there and then this. Hell yeah! I told everyone in the Pens forum Shero was looking at guys that wernt available.

I am just so impressed with this trade. Pens still have about $4 million in space...

[grits207]

Yikes. Seems like a panic move by the Stars.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by grits207

Yikes. Seems like a panic move by the Stars.

Looks like they are just trying to dump salary. They have ownership problems and have hopes of signing Richards....dont think either will happen any time soon though.

[Wadubbin]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Haha NO DOUBT!

Everyone was writing us off and saying we wouldnt do well, and that we would live with the scraps out there and then this. Hell yeah! I told everyone in the Pens forum Shero was looking at guys that wernt available.

I am just so impressed with this trade. Pens still have about $4 million in space...

Any word on what else the Pens gave up???I can't imagine that Goligoski was the only one involved...

[Robbie_Ray]

I think Joe Nieuwendyk took a blow to the head in that Flames vs. Canadians Alumni game. Pittsburgh with the obvious win here.

[Thrillhouse]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

Looks like they are just trying to dump salary. They have ownership problems and have hopes of signing Richards....dont think either will happen any time soon though.

Yeah if this is it for the deal, this has to be ownership telling management to cut, cut, cut.

Goligoski has a real nice contract.

[Killah_punk]

Ray Shero comes through again. I hope the Pens can lock up Neal this kid has looked good.

[Habs # 1]

What the hell is Dallas thinking?