Steve Sullivan: James Neal is 'the most pure, natural goal scorer' in Predators' history

Before having even played a game in a Nashville Predators uniform, James Neal has earned the distinction of being the most legitimate goal-scoring threat in franchise history, according to Steve Sullivan.

"I think Nashville fans are going to see the most pure, natural goal scorer they've seen in the team's history in James Neal," Sullivan told Josh Cooper of The Tennessean. 

Sullivan was privy to both sides of this coin during his playing days: not only did he witness Neal's career-high 40-goal season as a teammate with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011-12, he also co-led the Predators in scoring with 31 goals in 69 games in 2005-06.

"I had a chance to play with James for a year in Pittsburgh, and he can score from anywhere," Sullivan continued. "He's a threat on the ice all the time. He's a fast skater, he explodes out of the gates really quick. His shot release is ridiculous, so I'm hoping he can continue that and scoring some big goals."

Neal scored 161 goals over his first six NHL seasons with the Penguins and Dallas Stars, good for an average of 32 tallies per 82 games. At that rate, Neal could be set to challenge Nashville's single-season goals record of 33 set by Jason Arnott in 2008-09.