The more I absorb this the more I like it. Ownership and the Flames management was never going to buy out Neal...at least not for 3 more years until Brouwer is off the books. The choice is basically a big guy that hits and a bug guy that shoots. Both are roughly the same age (Lucic younger), same length of contract, same expansion eligibility.
So the question on the upside is:
1. Would you rather have Neal at 20 goals (best case scenario given where he slots) and no physical presence or Lucic at 10-15 goals and one of the top hitters in the league.
2. Worst case scenario, Lucic gets 3-5 goals and is one of the best hitters in the league. This would be like last season of Neal +200 hits and a fighting deterrent.
Neal was never going to significantly rebound here because he likely would not have received the ice time. This applies whether Neal scores 5 goals or 30 for Edmonton next year. Neal's PP ice time now goes to Bennett which is the same if not better for the team and the team shed 500K in salary.
The risk is much greater for Edmonton. Higher cap hit, if Neal is not scoring he is useless, if they buy him out next year its 6 years and they lost the nuclear deterrent for McDavid. Who scares you on that team now?? The cave man?
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