PREDS SEEK GOALS, ADD JAMES NEAL
The Nashville Predators acquired winger James Neal from the Pittsburgh Penguins for winger Patric Hornqvist and forward Nick Spaling.
What does it give the Nashville Predators
The Predators are trying to become a more offensive squad, so Neal should help in this area. They are also now expected to acquire a playmaking center to play with Neal in Nashville, after the latter had success with one of the top playmakers in the game (Pittsburgh's {P Evgeni Malkin}). The Preds lose a little depth but upgrade one of their key scoring winger positions with this move.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are looking for better chemistry and a different look up front, which was their motivation for shipping out one of their best snipers in Neal. In Hornqvist, the Pens get more of a 'garbage goal-scorer', someone who scores 'dirty' goals around the net area. He should be a major boon on the power play and could see career numbers playing next to either {P Sidney Crosby} or Malkin. Spaling is a solid bottom-six forward who can play anywhere up front.
Fantasy impact
This deal should impact Hornqvist the most, as his goal-scoring totals should be on the rise playing in Pittsburgh. How much of Neal's fantasy value takes a hit here will probably depend on who Nashville lands at center to play next to him. Spaling's fantasy value remains limited, even in Pittsburgh.
