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NHL Trade Deadline: Ranking every team’s worst ever trade

By David Rouben

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 3: Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings in action against the Edmonton Oilers at the Arco Arena on April 3, 1994 in Sacramento, California. The Kings defeated the Oilers 6-1. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 3: Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings in action against the Edmonton Oilers at the Arco Arena on April 3, 1994 in Sacramento, California. The Kings defeated the Oilers 6-1. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images) /
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Mar 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (18) handles the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Kings won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (18) handles the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Kings won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

18: Dallas Stars

You can be sure that the Stars wanted a do-over on this one. After playing well on his entry-level deal, including scoring a hat trick, James Neal was signed to a team-friendly two-year extension. However, that just meant that more teams were willing to trade for him as the Penguins swapped Neal’s $3.5 million contract for Alex Goligoski’s $5.5 million contract.

As players tend to do, Neal flourished when he got to play with Malkin. In his first full season there, he logged 40 goals and 81 points and was involved in deep playoff runs with the team in the next two years. Matt Niskanen is the far less attractive piece in the deal, but he did set a career-high in goals (10) and points (46) while with the Penguins which allowed the Capitals to sign him to that terrible contract.

Alex Goligoski is still signed to the Stars, and make no mistake he’s not a bad player. However, he hasn’t been able to successfully fill the void that James Neal left behind – or Matt Niskanen for that matter. The acquisition of Seguin made things better, and Sharp has helped to fill that void Neal left at right wing. The Stars finally have the look of a Cup-contending team, but hanging on to Neal would’ve expedited that process.

Next: 17: San Jose Sharks

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