When James Neal broke into the NHL with the Dallas Stars during the 2008-09 season, he scored 24 times. Not bad for a rookie.
All he's done in the following eight campaigns is hit the 20-goal mark eight more times, a feat few have ever accomplished.
When Neal tallied his 20th of the 2016-17 season on Monday night, a power-play goal to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 in overtime, he became one of six active NHLers to hit the 20-goal mark in each of their first nine seasons. Alex Ovechkin, Jaromir Jagr, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Thomas Vanek are the others, elite company to be sure.
Another Season, Another 20 Goals for James Neal
Nashville Winger Has Recorded at Least 20 Goals in Each of His Nine NHL Seasons
© Ronald C. Modra
© John Russell