St. Louis Blues Send Danny Kristo to Pittsburgh Penguins in Exchange for Reid McNeill

In a move designed to bolster their defense, the Blues traded Danny Kristo for Penguins “bruiser” Reid McNeill.

In a trade orchestrated by Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford, the St. Louis Blues sent right wing Danny Kristo to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Reid McNeill. The deal, which was announced on Saturday morning, isn’t all that surprising considering the recent personnel moves made by the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins. Although the trade will likely only affect the teams’ AHL (American Hockey League) franchises, the Blues’ affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, will improve immediately thanks to McNeill’s veteran presence.

Reid McNeill was chosen by the Penguins in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. Making his professional debut in 2012, he played 44 games for the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers before being called up to the WBS Penguins.

During his AHL career, he’s recorded 29 goals and accumulated 319 penalty minutes. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 215 pounds, McNeill is an imposing figure that commands respect on the ice. The Wolves are betting that McNeill will continue his bruising ways, providing an added spark on defense.

In return, the Blues sent right wing Danny Kristo, 26, to the Penguins. Kristo has posted back-to-back to back 20+ goal seasons in the AHL. Kristo was selected in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Montreal Canadiens.

The wing has enjoyed a successful run with the Chicago Wolves, including a solid 2015 season where he led the team with 25 goals and finished second in scoring with 48 points.

The Wolves, with the newly-added Reid McNeill, next take to the ice on Tues, Nov. 22 at 6:00pm in Charlotte, where they take on the Checkers.