PuckSleuth
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Winnipeg Jets · Defense · Shoots R

Neal Pionk

Age 31 · 6'0" · 190 lb · Born in Omaha, USA

Cap hit

$7M

6.7% of $104M cap

Term

5 yrs

Through 2030-31, then UFA

Clause

M-NTC

Surplus value

—

arrives with the trade tools

Confirmed by the public signing announcement · source

2025-26 regular season

GP

51

Goals

3

3.1% shooting

Assists

9

4 primary

Points

12

0.24 per game

TOI/GP

22:43

PP 1:36 · PK 2:29

xGF%

46.8

5v5, -5 vs. last yr

Game Score

-0.07

per game, goals above average

Faceoff %

—

Plus/minus

+1

Blocks 75 · Hits 111

Game log

Last 5 games · NHL API

GameGASOGHITBLKTOIPPPKFOOZS%GVTK+/-GS
Apr 11
vs PHI · L 7-1
0000120:002:192:35—3310-4-0.14
Apr 9
@ STL · W 3-2
0053224:041:033:47—100100-0.20
Apr 6
vs SEA · W 6-2
0115022:150:000:00—10011+2-0.03
Apr 4
@ CBJ · W 2-1
0122023:560:580:00—50000-0.16
Apr 2
@ DAL · L 3-0
0012118:501:480:00—40110-0.03

GS = our Game Score, goals above average. FO = faceoffs won-lost. OZS% = share of his 5v5 offensive and defensive zone faceoff starts that were in the offensive zone. GV/TK = giveaways/takeaways.

Advanced metrics

5v5 unless noted · 2025-26 · 878 min · percentile vs. NHL defensemen

xGF%46.8%

30th percentile

Relative xGF%-0.9

46th percentile

HDCF%47.6%

40th percentile

CF%48.8%

46th percentile

Relative CF%-0.9

45th percentile

FF%49.0%

46th percentile

GF%53.0%

70th percentile

CF/6057.6

61st percentile

CA/6060.4

30th percentile

ixG/600.23

58th percentile

Goals above expected-0.4

35th percentile

IPP28.6%

25th percentile

PDO101.7

78th percentile

OZS%49.3%

59th percentile

xGF% is his team's share of 5v5 expected goals while he was on the ice, from our own expected goals model; HDCF% counts only high-danger chances (xG of 0.15 or more). IPP is the share of his team's 5v5 goals while he was on the ice that he scored or assisted on. Relative stats compare him with his team when he was off the ice. Goals above expected and ixG/60 use his own shots at all strengths. PDO and OZS% describe luck and deployment, so their bars are grey.

Play styleDefensive-minded forward checker

Trait percentiles vs. NHL defensemen · 2025-26

Pionk is a physical, aggressive defenseman who excels at closing down opponents and forcing turnovers through relentless forechecking. His lack of playmaking instincts and defensive efficiency suggest he's more effective wearing down opponents than orchestrating play or preventing scoring chances.

Physical forecheckingHigh-volume shooterDefensive gamble
Shooting volume
82
Playmaking
27
Zone entries(est.)
58
Forechecking
94
Physicality
78
Defensive impact
25
Puck management
60
Speed
25

Where he shoots from

Slot 1% · Mid-range 13% · Perimeter 85%(144 unblocked shots)

Strengths

  • Exceptional forechecking in the 94th percentile shows he dominates at regaining possession in opponent territory
  • Strong shooting volume in the 82nd percentile reflects his willingness to generate offense from the blue line
  • Solid physicality in the 78th percentile lets him impose his will and disrupt opposing forwards

Watch-outs

  • Playmaking in the 27th percentile limits his value in setting up teammates despite high offensive attempts
  • Defensive impact in the 25th percentile suggests his aggressive approach leaves him vulnerable to being beaten
  • Speed in the 25th percentile may leave him exposed when scrambling back after pushing play forward

Similar style: Logan Stanley (NYI), Nick Seeler (PHI)

Built from play-by-play, shift data, and NHL EDGE tracking. Zone entries is an estimate (rush chances while he is on the ice) until tracking data is added.

Where his Game Score comes from

2025-26 · 51 GP · goals above average

Season total -3.6 goals, or -0.07 per game.

Even strength offense
-0.5
Even strength defense
-0.4
Power play
-0.2
Penalty kill
+0.3
Finishing
-0.4
Playmaking
-1.8
Penalties
-0.6

Game Score adds up a player's impact in goals compared with an average player given the same ice time: his share of expected goals for and against at even strength, on the power play, and on the penalty kill, plus finishing (goals minus expected goals), primary assists, penalties drawn and taken, and faceoffs. Goalies are measured by goals saved above expected.

By season

Regular season

SeasonTeamGPGAP+/-SOGTOI/GPFO%GS/GP
2025-26WPG513912+19722:43—-0.07
2024-25WPG69102939+2112322:04—+0.11
2023-24WPG8252833+914620:50—-0.10
2022-23WPG82102333-1214221:56—-0.02

Sentiment & chatter

Fans

—

Beat writers

—

Media

—

Fan, beat writer, and media scores, the 14-day trade chatter chart, and the latest mentions appear once sentiment scoring is switched on. Mentions are already being collected.

Age curve

How players at his position age, and where his contract falls on that curve, arrives with the trade tools.

Skating · NHL EDGE

2025-26, as of Oct 2

Top speed
21.0 mph
27th pct
20+ mph bursts
14
Hardest shot
90.6 mph
50th pct
Distance
162.2 mi
OZ time
41.5%
53rd pct
DZ time
41.0%