Pens Send Goligoski To Stars For Neal, Niskanen
FRISCO (Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars traded forward James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday for defenseman Alex Goligoski.
Goligoski, 25, has posted nine goals and 22 assists with a plus-20 rating through 60 games this season with the Penguins, who made him a second-round pick in the 2004 draft.
In 177 games with Pittsburgh, the Minnesota native has logged 23 goals, 67 assists and a plus-34 rating.
"We're very excited to add Alex Goligoski to our hockey club," said Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. "Alex is a legitimate top-four defenseman who will have a positive impact on our entire crop of blue-liners. He has averaged over 20 minutes per game and can play in all situations."
Neal is in the midst of a third consecutive 20-plus goal season to start his career. The 23-year-old, coming off a 27-goal campaign in 2009-10, has 21 goals and 18 assists this season. In 214 career games, the 2005 second-round pick has 72 goals and 131 points.
Niskanen, 24, has been a staple along Dallas' blue line the past four years. In 45 games this season, he has yet to score a goal and has recorded six assists. Dallas' first-round pick in 2005, Niskanen has tallied 16 goals and 82 points in 277 career games.
02/21 16:53:43 ET
