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Photo of NHL player James Neal

James Neal

Position Left Wing Current Team
Shoots Left Current Contract
Height 6'3" Expires
Weight (lbs) 212 Expiry Age (Jun 30)
Age (DOB) 38 (Sep 3, 1987) Expiry Status
Drafted 2005, Round 2, Overall 33 (DAL)
Date Team Transaction
Oct 9, 2021 St. Louis Blues Signed 1 year @ $750K AAV starting in 2021-22
Jul 27, 2021 Calgary Flames Contract bought out
Jul 2, 2018 Calgary Flames Signed 5 years @ $5.750M AAV starting in 2018-19
Feb 19, 2012 Pittsburgh Penguins Signed 6 years @ $5.000M AAV starting in 2012-13
Sep 16, 2010 Dallas Stars Signed 2 years @ $2.875M AAV starting in 2010-11
Oct 20, 2006 Dallas Stars Signed to an entry level contract.
Status History Coming Soon

About Player Cards

Player cards present an infographic of a players performance using a series of Player Archetypes developed for Puckalytics.com and TheStanleyCap.com. The boxes in the rink image show the archetype ratings for the season specified in the card while the graphs to the right show the five-year trends for those archetypes.

Except for Faceoffs, the values shown are the players z-score (standard deviation from the mean) for the specific metric used to calculate the archetype values. When calculating z-scores forwards were compared to forwards and defensemen were compared to defensemen. Positive values indicate the player is above average and shaded in blue, while negative values indicate the player is below average and shaded in pink. The five year trend charts show a range of -4.0 to 4.0.

The value shown for Faceoffs is the faceoff winning percentage rather than their z-score with winning percentages below 50 in pink shades and above 50 in blue shades.

All archetypes are 5v5 except 5v4 TOI, 4v5 TOI, Skating (even strength) and Faceoffs (all situations). Archetypes use regular season data only.

Archetypes Summary
  • Sniper - Measures the to score above the expected goal rate.
  • Rebound - Measures the percent of a players shot attempts that come from rebounds (forwards only).
  • 5v4 TOI - Powerplay ice time, calculated as the percentage of his teams 5v4 ice time that the player was on the ice for.
  • Shooter - Measures whether a players points come from shots (goals or assists on rebounds from his shots).
  • Producer - Measures a players ability to produce goals and assists, adjusted for quality of teammates.
  • Playmaker - Measures whether a players points come from passes.
  • Drive - Measures a players ability to drive puck possession and generate shot attempts for his team.
  • Rush - Measures the percent of a players shot attempts that come from rush plays
  • Possession - An indicator of a players ability to improve his teams puck possession game.
  • Faceoffs - Faceoff Winning Percentage (min. 75 faceoffs taken).
  • 5v5 TOI - The percentage of his teams 5v5 TOI that the player was on the ice for.
  • Suppress - Measures a players ability to suppress opponent puck possession and shot attempts against.
  • Skating - An indicator of a players skating ability, or speed bursts above 20mph per mile skated.
  • Defend - An indicator of a players ability to suppress shot quality against.
  • 4v5 TOI - Penalty Kill ice time, calculated as the percentage of his teams 4v5 ice time that the player was on the ice for.
Data Sources
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Read Introducing Player Archetypes on HockeyAnalysis.com for more details on archetype calculations.

Core Archetypes

Season Team(s) GP TOI Producer Playmaker Shooter Sniper Rebound Rush Skating Defend
2015-16 NSH 82 1238:27 0.66 -0.92 2.43 1.38 -1.17 -0.93 - 2.48
2016-17 NSH 70 956:55 0.10 -0.88 1.31 0.56 -0.20 -0.71 - -0.07
2017-18 VGK 71 981:39 0.14 -0.85 1.38 0.93 -0.48 -0.04 - -2.54
2018-19 CGY 63 766:41 -1.25 -0.75 -1.00 -1.02 -1.67 -0.06 - 0.58
2019-20 EDM 55 679:05 -1.25 -0.86 -0.89 -0.49 -1.04 0.11 - -0.19
2020-21 EDM 29 286:17 -0.30 -0.77 0.36 -0.02 0.04 -1.74 - 0.81
2021-22 STL 19 191:08 -1.60 -1.29 -1.08 -0.65 2.59 0.16 -0.33 2.54

Situational and Secondary Archetypes

Season Team(s) GP TOI 5v5 TOI 5v4 TOI 4v5 TOI Possession Drive Suppress Faceoffs
2015-16 NSH 82 1238:27 1.76 0.80 -1.96 0.06 0.33 0.40 -
2016-17 NSH 70 956:55 0.99 0.74 -1.95 0.02 0.14 0.22 -
2017-18 VGK 71 981:39 0.95 0.39 -1.99 -0.45 -0.49 0.11 -
2018-19 CGY 63 766:41 0.28 -0.13 -1.96 -1.48 -0.86 1.20 -
2019-20 EDM 55 679:05 0.24 1.01 -1.88 0.66 0.64 -0.17 -
2020-21 EDM 29 286:17 -1.42 0.02 -2.21 -1.18 -1.25 0.44 -
2021-22 STL 19 191:08 -1.37 -0.14 -2.01 0.26 -1.13 -2.46 -

About Archetypes

Player archetypes are a look at a players strengths and weaknesses in his game when compared to other players around the leeague. Except for Faceoffs, the values shown are the players z-score (standard deviation from the mean) for the specific metric used to calculate the archetype values. When calculating z-scores forwards were compared to forwards and defensemen were compared to defensemen. Positive values indicate the player is above average and shaded in blue, while negative values indicate the player is below average and shaded in pink. The five year trend charts show a range of -4.0 to 4.0.

The value shown for Faceoffs is the faceoff winning percentage rather than their z-score with winning percentages below 50 in pink shades and above 50 in blue shades.

All archetypes are 5v5 except 5v4 TOI, 4v5 TOI and Faceoffs (all situations). Archetypes use regular season data only.

Archetypes Summary
  • Producer - Measures a players ability to produce goals and assists, adjusted for quality of teammates.
  • Playmaker - Measures whether a players points come from passes.
  • Shooter - Measures whether a players points come from shots (goals or assists on rebounds from his shots).
  • Sniper - Measures the to score above the expected goal rate.
  • Rebound - Measures the percent of a players shot attempts that come from rebounds (forwards only).
  • Rush - Measures the percent of a players shot attempts that come from rush plays
  • Skating - An indicator of a players skating ability, or speed bursts above 20mph per mile skated.
  • Defend - An indicator of a players ability to suppress shot quality against.
  • 5v5 TOI - The percentage of his teams 5v5 TOI that the player was on the ice for.
  • 5v4 TOI - Powerplay ice time, calculated as the percentage of his teams 5v4 ice time that the player was on the ice for.
  • 4v5 TOI - Penalty Kill ice time, calculated as the percentage of his teams 4v5 ice time that the player was on the ice for.
  • Possession - An indicator of a players ability to improve his teams puck possession game.
  • Drive - Measures a players ability to drive puck possession and generate shot attempts for his team.
  • Suppress - Measures a players ability to suppress opponent puck possession and shot attempts against.
  • Faceoffs - Faceoff Winning Percentage (min. 75 faceoffs taken).

Read Introducing Player Archetypes on HockeyAnalysis.com for more details on archetype calculations.

Data Sources

5v5 Individual Stats

Season Team(s) GP TOI G/60 A/60 Pts/60 xG/60 GAE/60 Sh% xSh% Sh%AE %SA Rush %SA Reb.
2015-16 NSH 82 1238:27 1.16 0.63 1.79 0.74 0.43 12.18 7.72 4.46 2.22 2.22
2016-17 NSH 70 956:55 0.94 0.56 1.50 0.77 0.17 10.14 8.26 1.87 2.56 4.62
2017-18 VGK 71 981:39 1.04 0.73 1.77 0.74 0.30 10.90 7.74 3.15 3.88 3.88
2018-19 CGY 63 766:41 0.39 0.63 1.02 0.70 -0.31 4.59 8.19 -3.60 3.97 1.32
2019-20 EDM 55 679:05 0.44 0.53 0.97 0.55 -0.11 7.46 9.35 -1.89 4.08 3.06
2020-21 EDM 29 286:17 0.63 0.63 1.26 0.63 0.00 7.69 7.66 0.03 0.00 6.00
2021-22 STL 19 191:08 0.31 0.31 0.63 0.47 -0.15 5.00 7.41 -2.41 4.35 13.04

5v5 On Ice Stats

Season Team(s) GP TOI SAF/60 GF/60 xGF/60 SAA/60 GA/60 xGA/60 GF% xGF% xGF Rel xGA Rel xGF% Rel
2015-16 NSH 82 1238:27 42.83 2.57 2.21 36.58 1.40 1.87 64.63 54.09 0.00 0.03 -0.34
2016-17 NSH 70 956:55 43.33 2.19 2.38 41.63 2.26 2.09 49.30 53.17 0.16 -0.01 1.77
2017-18 VGK 71 981:39 42.05 2.75 2.20 41.81 3.12 2.36 46.88 48.24 -0.24 0.09 -3.56
2018-19 CGY 63 766:41 40.93 1.96 2.30 42.65 2.27 2.53 46.30 47.70 -0.40 0.16 -5.68
2019-20 EDM 55 679:05 40.73 1.94 2.19 41.70 2.83 2.48 40.74 46.90 -0.18 -0.09 -1.06
2020-21 EDM 29 286:17 35.42 1.68 1.90 41.92 2.31 2.19 42.11 46.43 -0.78 -0.38 -4.57
2021-22 STL 19 191:08 35.79 1.26 2.03 37.67 0.94 2.06 57.14 49.71 -0.63 -0.81 1.59

NHL Edge Stats

Skating Shooting Zone Time
Season GP Top Speed Bursts>20/mi Avg. Speed ES Avg. Speed Top Speed Avg. Speed %Long Range %Mid Range %High Danger ES DZ% ES NZ% ES OZ%
This table is for Basic and Premium subscribers only. To view please login to and/or subscribe to one of our subscription plans.

Legend

Percentile 0-25 Percentile 25-50 Percentile 50-75 Percentile 75-100
Forwards are compared with forwards and Defensemen are are compared with Defensemen.

5v5 Lines

Season
Season Teammate Teammate Team TOI GF/60 GA/60 GF% xGF/60 xGA/60 xGF% xGF Rel xGA Rel xGF% Rel
This table is for Basic and Premium subscribers only. To view please login to and/or subscribe to one of our subscription plans. 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2030-31 2031-32 2032-33 2033-34 2034-35

Glossary

Type Statistic Definition
IndividualG/60Goals Against per 60 minutes.
IndividualA/60Assists per 60 minutes.
IndividualPts/60Points per 60 minutes.
IndividualxG/60Expected Goals per 60 minutes.
IndividualGAE/60Goals Above Expected (G/60 - xG/60).
IndividualSh%Shooting Percentage.
IndividualxSh%Expected Shooting Percentage.
IndividualSh%AEShooting percentage above expected (Sh% - xSh%).
Individual%SA RushPercentage of shot attempts determined to be on the rush.
Individual%SA Reb.Percentage of shot attempts determined to be from rebounds.
On IceSAF/60Shot Attempts For per 60 minutes.
On IceGF/60Goals For per 60 minutes.
On IcexGF/60Expected Goals For per 60 minutes.
On IceSAA/60Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IceGA/60Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IcexGA/60Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better).
On IceGF%Goals For Percentage = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against)
On IcexGF%Expected Goals For Percentage = Expected Goals For / (Expected Goals For + Expected Goals Against)
On IcexGF RelxGF/60 when On Ice - xGF/60 when not On Ice.
On IcexGA RelxGA/60 when On Ice - xGA/60 when not On Ice (lower is better).
On IcexGF% RelxGF% when On Ice - xGF% when not On Ice.
Individual and On-Ice stats from Puckalytics.com (starting in 2015-16). NHL Edge Stats from edge.nhl.com (starting in 2021-22). Edge statistic definitions can be found at the Edge Stats Glossary.

Current Contract

Player does not currently have a contract.

Previous Contracts (show) (hide)

James Neal signed a $750,000 1-year contract with the St. Louis Blues and General Manager Doug Armstrong on October 9, 2021 with an AAV of $750,000. This contract will start in 2021-22 and end after the 2021-22 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 0.92% of the salary cap.

Standard Contract (UFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2021-22 34 $750,000 $750,000 - - $750,000 $750,000 $750,000 UFA
Total - - $750,000 $750,000 $750,000
Signed: Oct 9, 2021
Team: St. Louis Blues
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 0.92

James Neal signed a $28,750,000 5-year contract with the Calgary Flames and General Manager Brad Treliving on July 2, 2018 with an AAV of $5,750,000. This contract will start in 2018-19 and end after the 2022-23 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 7.23% of the salary cap. The Edmonton Oilers bought out this contract on July 27, 2021.

Standard Contract (UFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2018-19 31 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 - - $5,750,000 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 UFA
2019-20 32 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 - - $5,750,000 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 UFA
2020-21 33 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 - - $5,750,000 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 UFA
2021-22 34 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 - - $5,750,000 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 UFA
2022-23 35 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 - - $5,750,000 $5,750,000 $5,750,000 UFA
Total - - $28,750,000 $28,750,000 $28,750,000
Signed: July 2, 2018
Team: Calgary Flames
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 7.23
Contract Buyout: This contract was bought out by Edmonton Oilers on July 27, 2021

James Neal signed a $30,000,000 6-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins and General Manager Ray Shero on February 19, 2012 with an AAV of $5,000,000. This contract will start in 2012-13 and end after the 2017-18 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 8.33% of the salary cap.

Standard Contract (RFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2012-13 25 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - - $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 RFA-arb
2013-14 26 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - - $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 RFA-arb
2014-15 27 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - - $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 RFA-arb
2015-16 28 M-NTC $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - - $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 UFA
2016-17 29 M-NTC $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - - $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 UFA
2017-18 30 M-NTC $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - - $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 UFA
Total - - $30,000,000 $30,000,000 $30,000,000
Signed: Feb 19, 2012
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Exp. Status: UFA
Cap %: 8.33
Clause: Player has an 8 team no trade list starting in 2015-16.

James Neal signed a $5,750,000 2-year contract with the Dallas Stars and General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk on September 16, 2010 with an AAV of $2,875,000. This contract will start in 2010-11 and end after the 2011-12 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 4.84% of the salary cap.

Standard Contract (RFA) ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2010-11 23 $2,875,000 $2,875,000 - $100,000 $2,150,000 $2,250,000 $2,250,000 RFA
2011-12 24 $2,875,000 $2,875,000 - - $3,500,000 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 RFA
Total - $100,000 $5,650,000 $5,750,000 $5,750,000
Signed: Sep 16, 2010
Team: Dallas Stars
Exp. Status: RFA-arb
Cap %: 4.84

James Neal signed a $1,940,000 3-year contract with the Dallas Stars and General Manager Doug Armstrong on October 20, 2006 with an AAV of $646,667. This contract will start in 2007-08 and end after the 2009-10 season. In the first season of the contract the cap hit was equivalent to 1.29% of the salary cap.

Entry Level Contract ( )  (0 ratings)

Season Age* Clause Cap Hit AAV Perf. Bonus Sign. Bonus Salary Compensation Minors Salary Status
2007-08 20 $646,667 $821,667 $265,000 - $585,000 $585,000 $62,500 ELC
2008-09 21 $646,667 $821,667 $215,000 - $635,000 $635,000 $62,500 ELC
2009-10 22 $646,667 $821,667 $45,000 - $720,000 $720,000 $62,500 ELC
Total $525,000 - $1,940,000 $1,940,000 $187,500
Signed: Oct 20, 2006
Team: Dallas Stars
Exp. Status: RFA

Contract Buyout Details

Edmonton Oilers

Season Original Compensation Buyout Compensation Compensation Savings Original Caphit Buyout Caphit Caphit Savings
2022-23 $5,750,000 $1,916,667 $3,833,333 $5,750,000 $1,916,667 $3,833,333
2023-24 $5,750,000 $1,916,667 $3,833,333 $5,750,000 $1,916,667 $3,833,333
2024-25 - $1,916,667 $-1,916,667 - $1,916,667 $-1,916,667
2025-26 - $1,916,667 $-1,916,667 - $1,916,667 $-1,916,667

Career Statistics

Regular Season Playoffs
Season League Team GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% TOI/G GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh% TOI/G
2002-03 ETAMMHL Whitby Wildcats Minor Midget AAA 47 18 23 41 47
2003-04 OPJHL Bowmanville 43 28 27 55
2003-04 OHL Plymouth 9 2 4 6
2003-04 OJHL Bowmanville Eagles 15 12 3 15 22
2004-05 WJ18-A Canada 6 1 1 2 6
2004-05 OHL Plymouth 67 18 26 44 -5 32 4 1 1 2 6
2005-06 OHL Plymouth 66 21 37 58 +1 109 13 9 7 16 +5 33
2006-07 WJC-A Canada 6 0 0 0 8
2006-07 OHL Plymouth 45 27 38 65 +28 94 20 13 12 25 +7 54
2006-07 M-Cup Plymouth 5 5 1 6 42
2007-08 AHL Iowa 62 18 19 37 +1 63
2008-09 NHL Dallas Stars 77 24 13 37 -11 51 171 14.0 15:52
2008-09 AHL Manitoba 5 4 1 5 +4 2
2008-09 WC-A Canada 3 1 2 3 2
2009-10 NHL Dallas Stars 78 27 28 55 -5 64 200 13.5 18:12
2010-11 NHL Dallas Stars 59 21 18 39 +8 60 160 13.1 17:42
2010-11 WC-A Canada 6 2 3 5 +3 10
2010-11 NHL Pittsburgh Penguins 20 1 5 6 -1 6 52 1.9 16:54 7 1 1 2 -1 6 20 5.0 17:25
2011-12 NHL Pittsburgh Penguins 80 40 41 81 +6 87 329 12.2 19:08 5 2 4 6 -3 12 28 7.1 19:50
2012-13 NHL Pittsburgh Penguins 40 21 15 36 +5 26 136 15.4 17:28 13 6 4 10 -3 8 51 11.8 17:43
2013-14 NHL Pittsburgh Penguins 59 27 34 61 +15 55 238 11.3 18:27 13 2 2 4 +2 24 49 4.1 18:26
2014-15 NHL Nashville Predators 67 23 14 37 +12 57 221 10.4 18:05 6 4 1 5 8 25 16.0 20:37
2015-16 NHL Nashville Predators 82 31 27 58 +27 65 268 11.6 19:04 14 4 4 8 +1 8 47 8.5 21:29
2016-17 NHL Nashville Predators 70 23 18 41 -10 35 202 11.4 17:42 22 6 3 9 -8 14 67 9.0 17:55
2017-18 NHL Vegas Golden Knights 71 25 19 44 -11 24 202 12.4 17:11 20 6 5 11 12 64 9.4 17:05
2018-19 NHL Calgary Flames 63 7 12 19 -5 28 141 5.0 14:57 4 -3 7 0.0 13:49
2019-20 NHL Edmonton Oilers 55 19 12 31 -20 12 112 17.0 16:18 4 2 1 3 +3 11 18.2 12:48
2020-21 NHL Edmonton Oilers 29 5 5 10 -2 11 51 9.8 12:06 2 -1 3 0.0 10:23
2021-22 NHL St. Louis Blues 19 2 2 4 -1 31 6.5 11:58
2021-22 AHL Springfield Thunderbirds 28 14 12 26 -1 10 17 4 8 12 -2 10
NHL Career 869 296 263 559 +7 581 2514 11.8 17:15 110 33 25 58 -13 92 372 8.9 17:59