Penguins trade James Neal to Predators: GM Rutherford making room for July 1

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded forward James Neal to the Nashville Predators during the first round of the NHL draft Friday night in exchange for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling.

General manager Jim Rutherford told reporters: "By doing this, it gives us a better chance to do something on July 1."

Whether that is re-sign Lee Stempniak, Marcel Goc, Brian Gibbons, or Brooks Oprik, to name a few, or try and lure new talent to the team, remains to be seen.