I voted wait and see. But lets face it, for this money on a UFA, you are hoping for Patrick Marleau's 25'ish goals and 50'ish points. If he provides more than that it's a bonus. Given Neals age and past production, 20 to 25 should happen in the next 3 years.
I subscribe to my own theory where you will never create a team who's players production matches their salary slots. So a player like Neal likley isn't going to produce like a 5.75 player based on most fans expectations.
He should be able to add something that was lacking in the Flames lineup, and really what were they going to do with that money in the next few years anyways....save it....burn it? I don't see a scenario where the Neal contract is the reason that the Flames send Gaudreau, or Hanifian, or Tkachuck out of town because they can't fit them in under the cap.
Theres no award for best use of salary cap dollars. Having Troy Brouwer's contract had nothing to do with the Flames not signing a guy like Tavares, and I don't think it prevented them from getting anyone better than Neal.
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