It was reported by Savern. He's not a "gossip" guy like Rossi. So if true, it has to be one of three guys.

Letang: He's reportedly a "sensitive" guy. Has take a ton of heat for his poor play the last couple of years. Wasn't happy about being demoted off the top PP.

MAF: Tired of being hung out to dry by a poor defensive team. Reputation is in the cellar and his name has become a punchline around the league. Could very easily look for a fresh start.

Neal: He's either tired of nailing every Pittsburgh hockey slut or tired of playing with two of the best centers in the world....WTF? I guess we'll have to go with the hockey slut theory.
- madmike71

If I had to guess, it would be Brandon Sutter. I'd wager the guy wants a deal in the 4-5yr range worth at least ~$4M/yr. But Penguins can qualify him at $2.7M next year & likely would not offer him the number of years he is seeking either. Plus, he was apparently not happy about being included in the Kesler trade talk.

Could see it being Fleury as well.

I don't believe any of these reports for a second. Where were they in December or any other point during the season?
- dbell646

Well you also have to look at Rossi and Yohe who report those events. They are really buddy buddy with the Team and don't like to ruffle players, unlike other media driven cities.

thoughts on the sutter/despres RFA processes?
- stayinthefnnet

Take Sutter behind the wood shed and put him down.

MM is saying Neal asked for a trade after being removed from the #1 PP unit. Oops. That list of teams doesn't kick in until next season.

You know, if anything after the interviews with Pens owners makes me hopeful, it's that they want to be more like the Habs. Montreal sent Kovalev and Laraque home. They shipped out Cammalleri when his attitude went south.

If Neal wants out because he thinks power play time is in his contract, see you next time Pittsburgh plays Phoenix.

MM is saying Neal asked for a trade after being removed from the #1 PP unit. Oops. That list of teams doesn't kick in until next season.

You know, if anything after the interviews with Pens owners makes me hopeful, it's that they want to be more like the Habs. Montreal sent Kovalev and Laraque home. They shipped out Cammalleri when his attitude went south.

If Neal wants out because he thinks power play time is in his contract, see you next time Pittsburgh plays Phoenix.
- Johnny Wrath

Neal for Boedker and a pick/prospect? Haha, not ideal but just going off your Phoenix joke.

Well you also have to look at Rossi and Yohe who report those events. They are really buddy buddy with the Team and don't like to ruffle players, unlike other media driven cities.
- usethe1-2-2

Theyalso implied that someone closer to crosby then a girlfriend had something happen which was the reason for his play and demeanor. So Crosby is either engaged or married which we haven't heard about face it those guys might as well work for Days of our Lives.

I don't believe any of these reports for a second. Where were they in December or any other point during the season?
- dbell646

Probably right. This kind of crap gets overblown when a team continues to under-perform.

Still, Neal wanting out is strange. He's in a perfect place for a player like him and the Pens treat their players like kings.

MM is saying Neal asked for a trade after being removed from the #1 PP unit. Oops. That list of teams doesn't kick in until next season.

You know, if anything after the interviews with Pens owners makes me hopeful, it's that they want to be more like the Habs. Montreal sent Kovalev and Laraque home. They shipped out Cammalleri when his attitude went south.

If Neal wants out because he thinks power play time is in his contract, see you next time Pittsburgh plays Phoenix.
- Johnny Wrath

Who would you want from Phoenix?

Probably right. This kind of crap gets overblown when a team continues to under-perform.

Still, Neal wanting out is strange. He's in a perfect place for a player like him and the Pens treat their players like kings.
- madmike71

Love Neal but it's time to get going if he doesn't want to be here. Hopefully a team covets him very highly and we can get a good return.

MM is saying Neal asked for a trade after being removed from the #1 PP unit. Oops. That list of teams doesn't kick in until next season.

You know, if anything after the interviews with Pens owners makes me hopeful, it's that they want to be more like the Habs. Montreal sent Kovalev and Laraque home. They shipped out Cammalleri when his attitude went south.

If Neal wants out because he thinks power play time is in his contract, see you next time Pittsburgh plays Phoenix.
- Johnny Wrath

That's not what he said. He said he doesn't know the reason. Was just speculating why he would want out. Neal didn't get removed from the PP until the Ranger series anyway.

So following along with what Madden is saying... Why was their locker room so miserable? Just seems like everybody is looking for an excuse for the crappy playoff performance.

Something strange is going on with this team if everybody is so miserable and players are asking for trades...
- madmike71

Who knows.. maybe losing was the last straw. Neal hasn't been the most media friendly guy, and the local media in turn hasn't been all that kind to him with his antics over the last season or so.

We don't get to know these guys, but Neal has always come off to me as a bit of a cocky wiener. A lot of egos in pro sports, so it is what it is, and that cockiness I think is what made him and Geno work. He has seemingly never been shy about going back and forth with Malkin, and that is a good thing. We've seen too submissive players over the years with superstars and it never works out good.

wait... pr!ck is censored out to wiener on here? lol

Neal for Boedker and a pick/prospect? Haha, not ideal but just going off your Phoenix joke.
- usethe1-2-2

Shane Doan and a 2nd rounder would be acceptable.

Theyalso implied that someone closer to crosby then a girlfriend had something happen which was the reason for his play and demeanor. So Crosby is either engaged or married which we haven't heard about face it those guys might as well work for Days of our Lives.
- dbell646

Yah, they never report the meat of a story, they just like these little storylines. They even beat around the bush with the Staal situation a few seasons back.

Madden confirming that James Neal asked for a trade.
- rival22

Madden (despite being a gigantic, self-promoting loudmouth) does seem to be connected to the Penguins at times.

Still, I have always seen too much Rush Limbaugh in him to take him seriously. He talks a lot, hopes for the team to fail, and the claims the would win if they had only listened to him. He just epitomizes how in some peoples mind being louder is just as good as being thoughful, except quicker.

Yah, they never report the meat of a story, they just like these little storylines. They even beat around the bush with the Staal situation a few seasons back.
- usethe1-2-2

I'll wait to hear a player who moves on tell us about it.

Shane Doan and a 2nd rounder would be acceptable.
- Johnny Wrath

The only thing I don't like about bringing in Doan is his age. His style would be perfect with Sid, but then again we are in a win now mode and he does fit.

That's not what he said. He said he doesn't know the reason. Was just speculating why he would want out. Neal didn't get removed from the PP until the Ranger series anyway.
- madmike71

I'm going off of the thread here as far as what is being said by MM.

Neal either needs to settle his ass down and adopt a style much more like Patrick Sharp or prepare to have his contract tied to a very desperate team.

5year anniversary at My Big Fat Greek Gyro in Wexford next Wednesday. $5 gyro's.

I'll wait to hear a player who moves on tell us about it.
- dbell646

Haha, really. Just wait for the other cities media to report it so you can get more intricate details on the situation

year anniversary at My Big Fat Greek Gyro in Wexford next Wednesday. $5 gyro's. m
- dbell646

Wexford or cranberry?

Shane Doan and a 2nd rounder would be acceptable.
- Johnny Wrath

lol. You have to be joking.

37yr old Shane Doan (signed for 1 more yr. at $5.3M) and the 43rd overall pick for a flawed 26yr old 30G scorer signed to a $5M/yr contract for 4 more years?

Wexford or cranberry?
- nbartley9

Wexford on 19

The only thing I don't like about bringing in Doan is his age. His style would be perfect with Sid, but then again we are in a win now mode and he does fit.
- usethe1-2-2

Doan is on for 5.3M for 2 years.
Neal is on for 5M for 4 years. Second rounder makes up for the difference.

Doan would undeniably be the guy running the room. He would stand in front of the net from the LW on the PP. He would be cheaper and probably more effective than Callahan. Just sayin.

Shane Doan and a 2nd rounder would be acceptable.
- Johnny Wrath

God no.... Not older and slower... He'll be 38 at the start of the season and has one more year under contract. He's not a young 38 either.

Wexford or cranberry?
- nbartley9

What part of "in Wexford" confused you?