Stars obtain Goligoski from Penguins

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DALLAS, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The Dallas Stars said Monday they have shipped forward James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Alex Goligoski.

Goligoski, 25, is a former second-round draft pick of the Penguins who comes to the struggling Stars with nine goals and 22 assists in 60 games this season. In a 177-game career the Minnesota native has picked up 23 goals and 67 assists.

"We're very excited to add Alex Goligoski to our hockey club," Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. "Alex is a legitimate top-four defenseman who will have a positive impact on our entire crop of blueliners."

Dallas, however, had to surrender Neal, one of their top young scorers. Working on his third consecutive 20-plus goal season, the 23-year-old, who scored 27 goals in 2009-10, has 21 and 18 assists so far this season.

Also going to the Penguins is Niskanen, 24, Dallas' first-round pick in 2005, who has tallied 16 goals and 82 points in 277 career games.

The Stars made the move while seeking to stem a freefall that has seen them drop seven straight road games and tumble from Pacific Division leaders to eighth place in Western Conference standings.