[QUOTE=GioforPM;6971556]
Quote:
Originally Posted by CanadaMatt
Why do people continue to post this?... Neal plays on the top line every game after a PK...and has done sweet ###### all with that opportunity.
Reading this thread is so painful...folks trying to justify a 5.75 million, 12 point player (on pace for 20 points) with the worst +/- on the team.
Imagine being Lindholm and scoring like crazy, killing penalties and winning face-offs and having to look over at a player who makes 900k more and contributes a fraction of what Lindholm does on the ice.
That being said, there is progress...it appears he now understands how icing works.[/QUO
A couple short shifts per game (with probably zero practice time on the line) isn't the opportunity you think it is.
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He's played almost 20% of his icetime this season on a line with either Backlund/Tkachuk or Gaudreau/Monahan, so it's not like he hasn't received an opportunity:
Top 3 Line Combinations (as per Frozen Tools)
18.1% BENNETT,SAM - JANKOWSKI,MARK - NEAL,JAMES
11.6% BACKLUND,MIKAEL - NEAL,JAMES - TKACHUK,MATTHEW
8.9% GAUDREAU,JOHNNY - MONAHAN,SEAN - NEAL,JAMES