Penguins/NHL
Pens trying to work up package for Stars Neal
Darren Dreger of TSN.CA reported this morning on talks between the Penguins and Dallas Stars, with those talks surrounding Pens defenseman Alex Goligoski and Stars winger James Neal.
The Penguins have not shown a willingness to move Goligoski but Neal has always been sought out as one of those few select wingers Pittsburgh would strongly consider moving Goligoski for, as Neal makes sense on several fronts.
With the Stars falling in the standings and expressing a need for a young puck moving defenseman, the two sides appear to be a perfect fit.
Sources indicate talks are past the preliminary stages but a deal is reportedly not close as of now. Also, talks between the two sides are said to be centering around at least a three player swap, with picks/prospects involved from Pittsburgh’s end, not a straight swap of Goligoski-Neal.
The draft has been seen as the more feasible time to move Goligoski and in the end could be the more likely scenario this deal goes down as the Penguins don’t want to mess with their top-5.
However, the opportunity to land Neal is viewed by some in the organization as just too good to pass up, even if it means weakening their blueline.
If Pittsburgh decides to move Goligoski, they will surely look for short-term help to round out their top-6 pairings.
The possibility of Dallas sending a defenseman Pittsburgh’s way as part of the deal is also being discussed.
Neal, 23, is signed through next season with a cap hit of $2.85 million. He has 21 goals and 39 assists on the season. He’s one of the top young power forwards in the game with 30+ goal potential.
