Penguins Sign James Neal to Six-Year Extension

The Pittsburgh Penguins locked up an important part of their future on Sunday by signing right wing James Neal to a six-year contract extension worth $30 million. The deal averages out to $5 million per season. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency in the off-season. In 59 games so far this season, he has 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points and 66 penalty minutes. This is an excellent move for the Penguins, as Neal has become one the team's top forwards since his acquisition from the Dallas Stars last season. He has excellent goal scoring skill, a great shot, plenty of offensive talent, good size, and plays with a little grit. With his best years still ahead of him, look for Neal to greatly improve his offensive game over the next few seasons, especially if playing on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

Stars Acquire Goligoski from Penguins for Neal, Niskanen

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have acquired defenseman Alex Goligoski from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for left wing James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen. All three players still have one year left on their current contracts and will be eligible for restricted free agency in 2012. In 60 games this season, Goligoski has nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points. Neal has 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points in 59 games, while Niskanen has six assists in 45 games. This is a good trade for the Penguins, as Neal brings them lots of offensive and goal-scoring skill on the wing. The Penguins have been looking for a scoring winger to play alongside Sidney Crosby for the past couple seasons and they have found that in Neal. Plus, he brings some much-needed depth on offense with the injuries to Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz, and Mark Letestu. In Niskanen, the Penguins get a smooth-skating defenseman who has some offensive skill. In Goligoski, the Stars get some much-needed offensive help on the blueline, as well as a decent puck-mover with some mobility. However, the price to acquire him was a little steep in giving up Neal and Niskanen. Plus, with Brad Richards currently sidelined with concussion-like symptoms, giving up Neal was not really a great idea, as it will deplete their offense a bit. It is possible Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk made this move to shed some salary to attempt to retain Richards, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Still, giving up Neal costs the team some offense, but they still could pursue another forward before the February 28 trade deadline.

Stars Re-Sign James Neal & Matt Niskanen

The Dallas Stars have announced that they have re-signed left wing James Neal to a two-year contract worth $5.75 million and defenseman Matt Niskanen to a two-year contract worth $3 million. Neal's deal averages out to $2.875 million per season, while Niskanen's contract averages out to $1.5 million per season. These are decent signings for the Stars, as both players have lots of promise. Neal brings plenty of goal-scoring depth and offensive skill to the forward lines, while Niskanen provides plenty of offensive skill to the blueline, as well as excellent skating.