James Neal couldn't do anything right last season after being traded to Pittsburgh from Dallas. Neal only posted 6 points in 20 games with the pens during the 10/11 campaign. Since then even with seven weeks remaining in the season, Neal has reached the 30-goal plateau.
Today he signs a six-year, $30 million contract extension that keeps him with Pittsburgh through the 2017-18 season. Neal could have been a restricted free agent July 1.
With 56 points this season in 58 games Neal has really found his game playing with Evgeni Malkin. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound left wing has been able to total 103 goals and 90 assists in 292 games with the Stars and Penguins. He's scored at least 20 goals in all four of his NHL seasons.
Looking back at the trade now where the penguins got James Neal and Matt Niskanen for Alex Goligoski it looks to be that they really got what they wanted here in Neal.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Jagr, Briere and JVR added back to Flyers Lineup
Jagr said the other day “Anybody who can walk, plays.” An honest statement as the Flyers look to get back three of their key guys into the lineup.
Jaromir Jagr is over his fight with the flu and will be joining the second line with Matt Read and Danny Briere. Danny Briere, who sat out the final two periods of Thursday's game against the Sabres with an upper-body injury, will be back in as mentioned on the seconded line. Lastly, James van Riemsdyk who has been out with a concussion since Jan. 12, will make his return to the lineup playing with Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds on the third line.
Also joining the lineup will be newly acquired defenseman Nicklas Grossman who the Flyers traded for from Dallas on Thursday for two draft picks. H5KQ76NJEXY2
Jaromir Jagr is over his fight with the flu and will be joining the second line with Matt Read and Danny Briere. Danny Briere, who sat out the final two periods of Thursday's game against the Sabres with an upper-body injury, will be back in as mentioned on the seconded line. Lastly, James van Riemsdyk who has been out with a concussion since Jan. 12, will make his return to the lineup playing with Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds on the third line.
Also joining the lineup will be newly acquired defenseman Nicklas Grossman who the Flyers traded for from Dallas on Thursday for two draft picks. H5KQ76NJEXY2
Friday, February 17, 2012
Impact Players - Feb.17
Want to know what happend in last night's games? I'm here to help by recapping the best production from players around the NHL in this segment of Impact Players.
Jonathan Toews
After having one of their worst losing streaks and being criticized for not producing enough the big guys for the Blackhawks really stepped up against the Rangers. Toews scored on a power play shot to start his team off on the right foot and ended up being a big confidence booster to start the first period. Which they were able to follow up by scoring three more goals to end the first period up 4-0. Toews ended the night with a goal an assist and a +2 rating.
Claude Giroux
The Flyers snapped a two-game losing streak with the help of Giroux last night in Philadelphia. They steam rolled the struggling Buffalo Sabres 7-2 with Giroux adding five assists to his growing points total. Giroux's points total (67) is now two points back of the leagues point leader Evgeni Malkin (69).
Steven Stamkos
Lighting the lamp and putting pucks in the back of the net is no easy task unless your name is Steven Stamkos. During last night's game against the the San Jose Sharks Stamkos scored his NHL-leading 38th and 39th goal all while adding two assists in his 300th career game.
Alex Pietrangelo
Pietrangelo tied his career high for points in a game with three assists in thursdays 5-1 win over the Isles. He has really stepped up since the beginning of the season where his name was hardly ever seen on the score sheet. Look for Pietrangelo to continue to produce as the offensive defenceman plays big minutes for the St. Louis Blues.
Mike Ribeiro
He delivered once again as he has in previous games scoring in overtime for the Dallas Stars and adding an assist on their first goal in regulation. Once first-line center Jamie Benn got an injury to the knee during last night's game against the Flames which let Ribeiro stepped up and really shine for his team by giving them the win in OT.
Evander Kane
Kane buried the game-winning shootout goal Thursday night versus the Wild, also adding two regulation goals and an assist. After only putting up two points during January it looks like this might be a sign that Kane is snapping out of his slump.
Mike Smith
Smith who was brought into the Phoenix organization after Bryzgalov was sent to the flyers has really filled his shoes more than anyone could have ever expected. Smith posted his fourth shutout of the season against the Los Angeles Kings making 28 saves during the game.
Jonathan Toews
After having one of their worst losing streaks and being criticized for not producing enough the big guys for the Blackhawks really stepped up against the Rangers. Toews scored on a power play shot to start his team off on the right foot and ended up being a big confidence booster to start the first period. Which they were able to follow up by scoring three more goals to end the first period up 4-0. Toews ended the night with a goal an assist and a +2 rating.
Claude Giroux
The Flyers snapped a two-game losing streak with the help of Giroux last night in Philadelphia. They steam rolled the struggling Buffalo Sabres 7-2 with Giroux adding five assists to his growing points total. Giroux's points total (67) is now two points back of the leagues point leader Evgeni Malkin (69).
Steven Stamkos
Lighting the lamp and putting pucks in the back of the net is no easy task unless your name is Steven Stamkos. During last night's game against the the San Jose Sharks Stamkos scored his NHL-leading 38th and 39th goal all while adding two assists in his 300th career game.
Alex Pietrangelo
Pietrangelo tied his career high for points in a game with three assists in thursdays 5-1 win over the Isles. He has really stepped up since the beginning of the season where his name was hardly ever seen on the score sheet. Look for Pietrangelo to continue to produce as the offensive defenceman plays big minutes for the St. Louis Blues.
Mike Ribeiro
He delivered once again as he has in previous games scoring in overtime for the Dallas Stars and adding an assist on their first goal in regulation. Once first-line center Jamie Benn got an injury to the knee during last night's game against the Flames which let Ribeiro stepped up and really shine for his team by giving them the win in OT.
Evander Kane
Kane buried the game-winning shootout goal Thursday night versus the Wild, also adding two regulation goals and an assist. After only putting up two points during January it looks like this might be a sign that Kane is snapping out of his slump.
Mike Smith
Smith who was brought into the Phoenix organization after Bryzgalov was sent to the flyers has really filled his shoes more than anyone could have ever expected. Smith posted his fourth shutout of the season against the Los Angeles Kings making 28 saves during the game.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Can the Chicago Blackhawks bounce back?
Once dominante team and former Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks are desperate to end their longest road losing streak in over eight years.
Only problem is they face the New York Rangers who are one of the best teams in the league and number one in the eastern conference. Lundqvist looks to be in net for the Rangers as they look to grab a win from the sinking Blackhawks. Lundqvist is 27-11-4 and leads the NHL with seven shutouts, while his 1.77 goals-against average trails only St. Louis’ Brian Elliott (1.63). The three-time All-Star has won eight of his last 10 games—compiling a 1.18 GAA with four shutouts in that span. With the supporting cast that the Rangers have had and Marian Gaborik playing one of his strongest seasons since 09/10 it's hard to find any holes in the Rangers game.
Now when you look at Chicago's goalie tandem you have Corey Crawford who has lost each of his last five games (0-4-1) with a 4.35 GAA and Ray Emery who has a 3.80 GAA while losing six decisions in his past eight road games. Not very comforting if your the Chicago Blackhawks. The only bright spot on this team right now is that there is hope when super stars such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith are playing for you. It's a team that's struggling right now but if one of the goalies can manage to tighten up his game the Blackhawks can easily overcome this bump in the road.
It's pretty hard to bet against a team with such a talented core such as the Blackhawks but the Rangers have been playing so well this season it would be hard for the hawks to bounce back against such a strong team. Only time will tell but we have to all be thinking along the same lines as their coach.
“This has to end soon, doesn’t it?” - Joel Quenneville.
Only problem is they face the New York Rangers who are one of the best teams in the league and number one in the eastern conference. Lundqvist looks to be in net for the Rangers as they look to grab a win from the sinking Blackhawks. Lundqvist is 27-11-4 and leads the NHL with seven shutouts, while his 1.77 goals-against average trails only St. Louis’ Brian Elliott (1.63). The three-time All-Star has won eight of his last 10 games—compiling a 1.18 GAA with four shutouts in that span. With the supporting cast that the Rangers have had and Marian Gaborik playing one of his strongest seasons since 09/10 it's hard to find any holes in the Rangers game.
Now when you look at Chicago's goalie tandem you have Corey Crawford who has lost each of his last five games (0-4-1) with a 4.35 GAA and Ray Emery who has a 3.80 GAA while losing six decisions in his past eight road games. Not very comforting if your the Chicago Blackhawks. The only bright spot on this team right now is that there is hope when super stars such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith are playing for you. It's a team that's struggling right now but if one of the goalies can manage to tighten up his game the Blackhawks can easily overcome this bump in the road.
It's pretty hard to bet against a team with such a talented core such as the Blackhawks but the Rangers have been playing so well this season it would be hard for the hawks to bounce back against such a strong team. Only time will tell but we have to all be thinking along the same lines as their coach.
“This has to end soon, doesn’t it?” - Joel Quenneville.
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