Go Go is Gone

mcg24 · 02-21-2011, 04:54 PM

Penguins exchange Alex Goligoski for James Neal and Matt Niskanen.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...s133754S92.DTL

Goligoski has been a solid defender for the Pens all year long, but on a team with Paul Martin and Letang, and without Kunitz, Crosby, or Malkin, offense is the bigger issue. Neal immediately becomes the number one winger on the team.

SCMom · 02-21-2011, 05:17 PM

I'm happy with this. I expected Gogo to be the one to go. Hope to see at least one more move out of Shero though.

Quote:

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.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.ht...id=DL|PIT|home

mcg24 · 02-21-2011, 05:22 PM

Goligoski is a great player but this was something that needed to happen. Too bad we couldn't get Eriksson rather than Neal, but this is a fantastic deal nonetheless.

SCMom · 02-21-2011, 06:08 PM

The Goligoski-Neal Deal: Why and What now?
POSTED ON Monday, 02.21.2011 / 6:58 PM
By David Kalan - NHL.com Staff Writer
http://www.nhl.com/ice/blog.htm?id=17

Like any trade in February a number of questions are raised, and Monday's deal between Pittsburgh and Dallas may raise more than most. For the Penguins, the move fills an obvious need, as James Neal instantly becomes the best winger on a team that was desperate for scoring that came somewhere other than down the middle.

There are three main factors as to why this trade made sense for Pittsburgh. For one, the 23-year-old Neal is loaded with potential. For two, defenseman Alex Goligoski was unlikely to fully develop into a top pair defenseman on a team that already had several blueliners -- see Brooks Orpik, Paul Martin or Kris Letang -- locked up for the forseeable future. Finally, Evgeni Malkin's season-ending injury has given Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero and inordinate amount of cash to burn as he looks to patch up holes ahead of a postseason run.

Given all that, the move appears to be a no-brainer for the Pens, who would seem likely to use Neal on the top line and could see an enormous payoff when Sidney Crosby returns to action and Neal is playing next to, arguably, the best center on the planet.

For Dallas the incentive is a little less clear. Beyond the idea of any move shaking up a team in the midst of a potentially devestating funk, the Stars do get a defenseman who, with 31 points this season, is a proven contributor from the blue line, a place where the Stars have little offensively beyond Stephane Robidas, who has actually scored less than Goligoski this year.

But what is also worth noticing from the perspective of Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk is the salary that changes hands. Next season Alex Goligoski will earn $2.75 million before he becomes a restricted free agent, meaning he could stay on for 2012-13 at a slightly higher salary or simply come off Dallas' books altogether. Going to Pittsburgh in terms of salary next year, however is $5.25 million dollars -- $3.5 million to Neal and $1.75 to Niskanen. Both players are restricted free agents after next season and Neal, assuming continued or better production, could easily start to eclipse his 2011-12 salary by a fair amount.

All in all, Nieuwendyk and the Stars have saved $2.5 million on the books for next season, which given Neal's potential career trajectory could be a red herring. However, Nieuwendyk could have two other options after this move. Rather than simply a cost-saving measure, this trade may have laid the ground work for another Dallas deal before next Monday's deadline in hopes of salvaging the current campaign. But it could also be a move intended to clear just enough space off the future cap so the Stars can make a legitimate run at signing All-Star center Brad Richards to an extension, something that would keep the franchise competitive for years.

In all likelihood, the immediate impact of this deal will seem much clearer in seven days, but for now there are a number of potential results for Dallas. Whether it works out for either side as intended, however, could take months or years to fully realize. Only one thing is really certain: Nieuwendyk now has some significant choices to make.

Killer · 02-21-2011, 06:27 PM

Neal for Gogo?

in a heartbeat!!!!

Killer · 02-21-2011, 06:47 PM

I don't say this often, but I am totally gay for Shero

TSNBobMcKenzie:

DAL trades James Neal and Matt Niskanen to PIT for Alex Goligoski.

SCMom · 02-21-2011, 09:15 PM

After watching the game tonight (especially the power play), I kind of wish he had waited until tomorrow to make this deal...but I'm still happy with who we got.

I hope Neal scores like a mf'er.

SCMom · 02-21-2011, 09:37 PM

Here's the skinny on both guys from the Trib.

Quote:

Star turns

A look at the newest Penguins -- left wing James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen -- who were acquired Tuesday from the Dallas Stars for defenseman Alex Goligoski:

James Neal

Age: 23

Height, weight: 6-2, 208

Shoots: Left

Contract status: Expires after next season

Salary-cap hit: $2.875 million

This season/career: 21 goals, 39 points, plus-8 in 59 games/72 goals, 131 points, minus-8 in 214 games

Notable: He has never played in the Stanley Cup playoffs. ... He has scored 11 goals and is a plus-6 on the road this season.

Quotable: "He's got the skill to make plays as well, but really he likes going to the net and getting those dirty goals - but if he gets open ice in the offensive zone, he can score from anywhere." - defenseman Matt Niskanen

Matt Niskanen

Age: 24

Height, weight: 6-0, 200

Shoots: Right

Contract status: Expires after next season

Salary-cap hit: $1.5 million

This season/career: 0 goals, 6 points, minus-1 rating in 45 games/16 goals, 82 points, minus-5 rating in 277 games

Notable: He has been minus-27 since finishing his rookie season with a plus-22 rating. ... He fought center Sidney Crosby in a game at Dallas on Nov. 3, 2010.

Quotable: "A change might be good for him. We have a good coaching staff here and pretty positive people. We're all U.S. guys, so good for Matt. Hopefully he can get back to where he was earlier in his career." - General manager Ray Shero

Sources: NHL.com; Capgeek.com; PittsburghPenguins.com

Read more: Neal deal a move for future - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...#ixzz1Eeh8IFBL

mcg24 · 02-21-2011, 10:15 PM

Looks like I'm going to have to change my avatar now. I have Goligoski in it because he's been one of my favorite Pens for a couple years now....well farewell to you Alex. Who gets the avatar now?

SCMom · 02-21-2011, 10:28 PM

Other candidates...

Or...Kenny Wreggets goalie mask!

02-21-2011, 04:54 PM	#1
mcg24 Bench Warmer Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 376 Gender: Male Member Number: 17631 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Go Go is Gone Penguins exchange Alex Goligoski for James Neal and Matt Niskanen. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...s133754S92.DTL Goligoski has been a solid defender for the Pens all year long, but on a team with Paul Martin and Letang, and without Kunitz, Crosby, or Malkin, offense is the bigger issue. Neal immediately becomes the number one winger on the team. __________________ Deserves got nothin to do with it.

02-21-2011, 05:22 PM	#3
mcg24 Bench Warmer Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 376 Gender: Male Member Number: 17631 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Go Go is Gone Goligoski is a great player but this was something that needed to happen. Too bad we couldn't get Eriksson rather than Neal, but this is a fantastic deal nonetheless. __________________ Deserves got nothin to do with it.

02-21-2011, 06:08 PM	#4
SCMom MST3K Junkie Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,903 Gender: Female Member Number: 16666 Thanks: 154 Thanked 155 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Go Go is Gone The Goligoski-Neal Deal: Why and What now? POSTED ON Monday, 02.21.2011 / 6:58 PM By David Kalan - NHL.com Staff Writer http://www.nhl.com/ice/blog.htm?id=17 Like any trade in February a number of questions are raised, and Monday's deal between Pittsburgh and Dallas may raise more than most. For the Penguins, the move fills an obvious need, as James Neal instantly becomes the best winger on a team that was desperate for scoring that came somewhere other than down the middle. There are three main factors as to why this trade made sense for Pittsburgh. For one, the 23-year-old Neal is loaded with potential. For two, defenseman Alex Goligoski was unlikely to fully develop into a top pair defenseman on a team that already had several blueliners -- see Brooks Orpik, Paul Martin or Kris Letang -- locked up for the forseeable future. Finally, Evgeni Malkin's season-ending injury has given Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero and inordinate amount of cash to burn as he looks to patch up holes ahead of a postseason run. Given all that, the move appears to be a no-brainer for the Pens, who would seem likely to use Neal on the top line and could see an enormous payoff when Sidney Crosby returns to action and Neal is playing next to, arguably, the best center on the planet. For Dallas the incentive is a little less clear. Beyond the idea of any move shaking up a team in the midst of a potentially devestating funk, the Stars do get a defenseman who, with 31 points this season, is a proven contributor from the blue line, a place where the Stars have little offensively beyond Stephane Robidas, who has actually scored less than Goligoski this year. But what is also worth noticing from the perspective of Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk is the salary that changes hands. Next season Alex Goligoski will earn $2.75 million before he becomes a restricted free agent, meaning he could stay on for 2012-13 at a slightly higher salary or simply come off Dallas' books altogether. Going to Pittsburgh in terms of salary next year, however is $5.25 million dollars -- $3.5 million to Neal and $1.75 to Niskanen. Both players are restricted free agents after next season and Neal, assuming continued or better production, could easily start to eclipse his 2011-12 salary by a fair amount. All in all, Nieuwendyk and the Stars have saved $2.5 million on the books for next season, which given Neal's potential career trajectory could be a red herring. However, Nieuwendyk could have two other options after this move. Rather than simply a cost-saving measure, this trade may have laid the ground work for another Dallas deal before next Monday's deadline in hopes of salvaging the current campaign. But it could also be a move intended to clear just enough space off the future cap so the Stars can make a legitimate run at signing All-Star center Brad Richards to an extension, something that would keep the franchise competitive for years. In all likelihood, the immediate impact of this deal will seem much clearer in seven days, but for now there are a number of potential results for Dallas. Whether it works out for either side as intended, however, could take months or years to fully realize. Only one thing is really certain: Nieuwendyk now has some significant choices to make. __________________ *People assume that time is a strict progression of cause and effect, but actually from a non-linear non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly timey wimey...stuff.*

02-21-2011, 06:27 PM	#5
Killer Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,944 Member Number: 763 Thanks: 47 Thanked 280 Times in 223 Posts	Re: Go Go is Gone Neal for Gogo? in a heartbeat!!!!

02-21-2011, 06:47 PM	#6
Killer Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,944 Member Number: 763 Thanks: 47 Thanked 280 Times in 223 Posts	Re: Go Go is Gone I don't say this often, but I am totally gay for Shero TSNBobMcKenzie: DAL trades James Neal and Matt Niskanen to PIT for Alex Goligoski.

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02-21-2011, 09:15 PM	#7
SCMom MST3K Junkie Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,903 Gender: Female Member Number: 16666 Thanks: 154 Thanked 155 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Go Go is Gone After watching the game tonight (especially the power play), I kind of wish he had waited until tomorrow to make this deal...but I'm still happy with who we got. I hope Neal scores like a mf'er. __________________ *People assume that time is a strict progression of cause and effect, but actually from a non-linear non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly timey wimey...stuff.*

02-21-2011, 10:15 PM	#9
mcg24 Bench Warmer Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 376 Gender: Male Member Number: 17631 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Go Go is Gone Looks like I'm going to have to change my avatar now. I have Goligoski in it because he's been one of my favorite Pens for a couple years now....well farewell to you Alex. Who gets the avatar now? __________________ Deserves got nothin to do with it.

02-21-2011, 10:28 PM	#10
SCMom MST3K Junkie Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,903 Gender: Female Member Number: 16666 Thanks: 154 Thanked 155 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Go Go is Gone Other candidates... Or...Kenny Wreggets goalie mask! __________________ *People assume that time is a strict progression of cause and effect, but actually from a non-linear non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly timey wimey...stuff.*

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