Alex Goligoski has been traded to the Dallas Stars for winger James Neal & defenseman Matt Niskanen. This will probably be considered an immediate coo for Penguins GM Ray Shero, the proof will be in how Goligoski performs in the future.
The Penguins new winger James Neal has put up some descent offensive numbers for his first three years in the NHL. 24 his first year, 27 his second and he’s headed towards 29 goals this year. He is signed for one more year and will make $2.88 mil both this and next year. Neal is a big winger 6’2″ 208 pounds and is no doubt is slated to play on Crosby’s line.
Defenseman Niskanen like Goligoski is a native of Minnesota. Niskanen may have been falling out of favor in Dallas. In a bunch of his latest games Niskanen has been getting a low amount of minutes. On February 5th against Philadelphia he only saw around 8 minutes. He has been averaging about 15 minutes a game. He is a bigger D than Goligoski at 6′ 200 pounds, and a few years ago he put up some decent offensive numbers. Two years ago he had 6 goals and 29 assists. He is also 1 1/2 years younger and has more NHL experience. Niskanen is also signed next year for $1.5 Mil.
Did I mention Niskanen fought Sidney Crosby this season? Watch the fight here: PenguinPoopTV (top video on the left)
Also Read: Penguins fans will love James Neal as much as they will miss Goligoski
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Long term it wouldn’t surprise me to see Neal on Malkin’s line. Crosby has proven he can produce with anyone, and he’s become the finisher not playmaker on his line. Kunitz-Crosby-anyone and Neal-Staal-Malkin make for two pretty deadly lines.
I agree, the Crosby line was producing on it’s own to the point I think Crosby has missed a month and a half and is still only 8 point away from the NHL lead in points.