James Neal, who has scored at least 20 goals in each of his 10 seasons in the NHL, has signed with the Calgary Flames.
After one season in Vegas, during which he helped lead the expansion Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final, Neal gets a five-year deal with an average annual value of $5.75 million.
"For me, coming to Calgary, it's a place I've always loved."
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 2, 2018
James Neal talks to #Flames TV about his decision to ink a long-term deal with the organization! pic.twitter.com/ss8h3inWU2
The Golden Knights took Neal from Nashville in the expansion draft last summer. He was expected to be a trade piece at the deadline, but Vegas' unprecedented success changed that.
Neal, 30, scored 44 points in 71 regular-season games and became an emotional leader of a Knights team that surprised the hockey world. He has now lost in the Final in back-to-back seasons.
Neal is coming off a five-year, $30 million contract.
Vegas has now lost two left wingers, Neal and David Perron, who signed with St. Louis.
The Flames also signed former Carolina forward Derek Ryan, giving him a three-year deal with an average annual value of $3.125 million. Ryan, 31, had a career year with 38 points in 80 games last season.
The Flames also inked forward Austin Czarnik and re-signed defenseman Dalton Prout.
Calgary finished fifth in the Pacific Division last season and missed the playoffs.
