The Real Deal James Neal

Love it. Great post, and welcome to PensBurgh.
Also very cool that you posted his about 1/2 hour before his 2nd GWG in a shootout this week.
Agree w/ you on Neal. Excellent acquisition and he does remind a little of Hossa w/ his relentless backcheck.

I think with Sid and Neal on the same line they will be able to make up for Kovy’s lack of speed (which is understandable at his age). What Kovy lacks in speed he can more than make up for with his wicked shot and puck handling skills. Think: more talented Guerin. I think Neal-Crosby-Kovalev could be leathal.

Neal the world! Make it a better place! For you and for me & the entire human race!

I think this is such a good pickup. There’s a lot of people outside of Pensburgh getting on him pretty good right now but that’s ok, he looks good and like you said, skates hard every time out there.

I’m very impressed with Neal. For a power forward type he has some impressive puck skills. I was fairly excited about the deal when it was announced but that was mostly because I was grateful that I’d never have to see Goligoski trying to defend in a Pens uniform again.

I’m even more excited about it now that I’ve gotten a look at Neal and Niskanen. I try to follow hockey in general and not just the Pens, but I have to say that the only thing I knew about Niskanen before the Pens acquired him was that he was that guy Crosby fought. He’s no Goligoski offensively, but he can move the puck.