Penguins’ Neal denies trade request rumours

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded James Neal to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. (Gregory Shamus/NHLI/Getty)

Mike Johnston May 23, 2014, 1:04 PM

Pittsburgh Penguins winger James Neal is denying rumours that he has asked for a trade.

Early Friday, Pittsburgh radio personality Mark Madden of 105.9 WXDX-FM and Pittsburgh Penguins 24/7 Radio reported that a source told him Neal requested to be dealt.

4the record: A highly-placed source said, off the record, @jneal_18 asked4 a trade. Neal, on the record, said he did not.

— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) May 23, 2014

Neal responded with a tweet denying it.

All of these rumors couldn't be further from the truth. I love being a Pittsburgh Penguin. I hope to remain a Penguin and win as a Penguin.

— James Neal (@jneal_18) May 23, 2014

The team recently fired its general manager Ray Shero after being eliminated by the New York Rangers in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, sparking speculation that some big changes could be coming to the roster this off-season.

Neal struggled in the post-season, registering just two goals, two assists and 24 penalty minutes in 13 games. He finished fourth on the Pens in regular season scoring with 61 points in 59 games.

The 26-year-old has four years remaining on his contract with an annual salary cap hit of $5 million. The Pens acquired Neal in 2011 along with Matt Niskanen in a trade with the Dallas Stars for Alex Goligoski.

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