Dallas Stars trades 2 for 1 with Pittsburgh Penguins
Dallas gave up two of its players to the injury riddled Pittsburgh Penguins for a key defenseman on Monday afternoon after several days of ongoing negotiations. It was a win, win situation for both teams as Penguins filled up blank spaces in its line-up
and Stars created room for an experienced defender.
Left wing, James Neal, and defenseman, Matt Niskanen, were traded by Dallas for defenseman, Alex Goligoski, who is one of the top defenders in hockey currently and has been playing for Pittsburgh Penguins in his short 6-year career, shifting back and forth
with the NHL and AHL.
"We're very excited to add Alex Goligoski to our hockey club," said Dallas’s GM, Joe Nieuwendyk. "Alex is a legitimate top-four defenseman who will have a positive impact on our entire corps of blue-liners. He has averaged over 20 minutes per game and can
play in all situations".
Not everyone was excited to see the trade happen.
Penguins’ coach, Dan Bylsma, expressed his disappointment to GM Nieuwndyk upon learning Goligoski was part of the deal.
In an effort to comfort Bylsm, Nieuwndyk articulated how Alex could play a more suitable position with Dallas Stars. He leaves Penguins with 9 goals and 31 points this season, which could grow sharply till the closing stages.
Shining bright at the start and until now, Stars has started to decline and fallen near the edge of losing a playoff berth, nearing the end of the season.
It has lost four consecutive matches and made a wise decision letting two players go, strategically speaking, Dallas expects All-Star Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn to pick up the pace and fill the gaps.
Young, James Neal, shows prospect in his game, scoring at least 20 goals in each of his past three seasons, and 21 in the present one.
Neal, like Goligoski is experiencing a first transition to another team since being drafted in 2008.
Niskanen, who has been having trouble putting up numbers this season, expressed his interest in a fresh start with a new team, adding that he is a player which looks after the small details needed to win in a match.
Both teams seem satisfied with this decision, as both received what they were hoping for.
Pittsburgh is strong, standing 3rd in the Eastern Conference, but could do better due to its recent lack of offense caused by reoccurring injuries.
Dallas was in dire need of an experienced defensive player who could guide the rookie roster and show spontaneous results to keep them in a playoff position in the hugely competitive Western Conference.
Neal and Niskanen will be playing their first game alongside the Pens when they host the hefty San Jose Sharks come Wednesday.
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