I remember the day James Neal was traded like it was yesterday.
I was sitting in the recliner in my family room watching the draft. I was a little on edge because I knew there was a good chance he’d get moved, but I’d seen some reports saying otherwise and I was desperately hoping those were accurate. When the announcers said the words “we have a trade,” I leaned forward in my chair, almost so far that I fell out.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins trade…” I stood up, silently chanting “no, no, no” over and over.