Neal was brought to Pittsburgh during the 2010-11 season in a trade with the Dallas Stars, and did very little in the following 20 games, scoring just one goal and five assists. In 2011-12, he had his breakout season, scoring 40 goals and 41 assists in 80 games, and came close to matching that point-per-game average in 2012-13, with 21 goals and 15 assists in 40 games.
In February 2012, Neal signed a six-year contract extension worth an average of $5 million a year, and has found a permanent home on the Penguins' second line, playing left wing to Evgeni Malkin. Neal, unfortunately, has seen only three minutes of action during the 2013-14 season after aggravating a previous upper-body injury. Despite he and 2013 Norris Trophy finalist being on the shelf, the Penguins have shot out of the gate with a 7-1-0 record, so it's scary to think of how good they will be when those two return to action.
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