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Calgary Flames sign James Neal |
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Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
On the opening day of free agency the Calgary Flames dipped their toes into the water signing depth forwards Derek Ryan and Austin Czarnik.
This morning they cannon balled off the dock by signing James Neal to a five-year contract worth ~$5.75 million per season.
The Flames have long been after another established top-6 scorer and Neal is just that.
Over the last three seasons he has averaged 29 goals and 53 points per 82 games played.
While his shot makes him a big time threat on the power play, he is more than capable of scoring at 5v5. In fact, he's quite good at it. Perhaps elite.
From 2015-18 only eight players have scored more 5v5 goals than Neal. Eight. He has found the back of the net more times (56) than the likes of John Tavares, Tyler Seguin, Phil Kessel, Sean Monahan and Jamie Benn, among many, many others.
At 30 there is some risk involved over a five-year term. He's unlikely to play up to his salary during the last season or two.
But, in the meantime, he's a clear top-6 guy and his presence should go a long way towards addressing the Flames' 5v5, and general, scoring woes.
I'll have more on this signing when the dust settles in the coming days.
Recent posts:
Flames sign Ryan and Czarnik
Reviewing the Flames' 2018 draft class
On the blockbuster trade between the Flames and Hurricanes
Flames name Hakan Loob head European pro scout
Dynamite U21 seasons from Andersson + Kylington put them in good company
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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