Two days ago this things would have looked very different in this forum when it comes to the analysis of Lucic. Let's not pretend we aren't desperately looking for positives now that he's a Flame.
Anyways, it's a tough call on the trade, because Neal was clearly not working. I do like that Lucic brings some much needed toughness...I just don't think he has any effective game left in him. I worry he'll become an anchor on the third line regardless. Our bottom six was really effective last season, and I don't actually see Lucic as an improvement there other that size and the ability to fight. It's kind of like just getting a classic goon, who makes way too much money and has too much contract security.
Would love to be proven wrong and Lucic somehow finds another dimension to his game again. Hoping for the best.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
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