The Trade - Pens Make Out (Again)

TRANSCRIPT OF SHERO'S CONFERENCE CALL

As all of you have probably already heard, Penguins GM Ray Shero made a trade earlier this afternoon.

Defenseman Alex Goligoski was traded to the Dallas Stars in return for forward James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen (yes, one of the most recent players in the elite group who have scrapped with Sid).

Shero continues to amaze me with these deals.  I believe the Pens made out again here.   These two players are young and talented especially Neal (and they're coming from a Stars team that is doing pretty well this season compared to the last few seasons).

Shero on Neal:

“There aren’t many of these young, power guys in the game,” he said. “Neal on our list is one of the better ones in the game. He’s got some room to grow.

“This is really the first young winger that we’ve gone out and gotten. Chris Kunitz was 27 or 28 when we got him. Neal, being just 23, this is the hockey trade that we’ve been looking for. I think this will be a good fit for him in the long run. … We have a pretty good forward group now.”

I welcome this trade mostly because I wasn't too attached to Gogo and I always look forward to how the new players fit in with the Pens.  According to a few of my Stars fan friends, they believe Neal will be incredible paired up with Sid and / or Geno which is always something to look forward to!

THANKS for the memories Gogo ... and WELCOME Neal and Nisky!!  And just in case any of you need a little reminder about the Crosby-Niskanen fight ... check it out below!!