Quote:
Originally Posted by VilleN
I don't think the absolute totals are more relevant. I was making an assumption about the kind of minutes Lucic was getting, so an average per game would be more relevant... either way, I was guessing and being a bit lazy admittedly.
I don't know that I would call Lucic's production a trend, necessarily. He had 20pts last season and 34 pts the season before. If he got back to the 35 pt range while still being a physical force/deterrent on the ice then I think the trade is a win for the Flames. If Neal pots 20 and gets 45 pts, while doing nothing else, I don't know if that is much better... I guess my point is, if both players returned to the players they were in 2017-2018 I think you could consider this trade a win for both teams - and I think both of these outcomes are equally as likely.
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While there might be a chance Lucic gets back to this point, he has been pretty terrible since Christmas of 2017. He only got 8 points after Christmas last year and contrary to the fancy stats he just looks terrible on whatever line he played on. He may bring toughness to the lineup for Calgary but if he is playing on anything but a 4th line he is hurting the team, and who is scared of 4th liners anymore? Its not like guys like McDavid didn't get their share of punishment even with Lucic out there.
I still feel at the end of the day though both teams will see this as a win, like many have said Calgary just didn't want Neal back.