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DeluxeMoustache · 07-25-2019, 10:10 PM

I voted loved it.

Neal was bad. Really bad. No compete, all excuses. Long off season, my ass. Even the rare goals he scored were crap. His lack of effort was an insult to his teammates.

Considering Lucic, 20 points with main line mates Kassian and Brodziak is not that bad. I think people underestimate the impact of linemates on productivity.

I hear the argument that he sucked his way in to the 4th line but that doesn’t pass the smell test. He was a 50 plus point guy for 1.5 seasons and mid season, his line mates changed and he became a 20 point guy.

Kassian got some looks on the top line and went from a <20 point guy to a 40 point guy.

Maybe the explanation is the simplest one. Edmonton is no good.

Neal might get some goals with McJesus and Draisaitl. Anybody will. Chiasson did. Even Kassian did. If Neal comes in and gets 20 goals / 40 points, someone else drops away.

I laugh at highlights where McJesus just lets guys walk past him in the d zone. Add Neal’s coasting back and failing to put sticks in passing lanes to that, and you have one bad defensive duo.

In terms of the business, the 10 million real dollars they save, like someone pointed out, is about 4 percent of the cost the Flames have to pony up for the arena.

I really can’t fathom why Neal just didn’t give a crap. But I sure as heck know that logic dictates his coaches and teammates must have had enough.

Calgary simply can not provide Lucic with linemates as crappy as Edmonton gave him. They just don’t have any.

So that’s it. Lucic will be better than he was, which is already better than what Neal was. He brings some actual sandpaper, ability to win battles and control the puck on the boards. I also think he will more likely get middle six deployment than 4th line.

Not expecting Bruins era results from Lucic, but Neal just didn’t care, and I don’t think was going to fit. F him.

If Lucic is a crappy fourth liner that does something, it’s a good deal for the Flames. Anything more is gravy. And I think there is much more than 20 points on the fourth line.

07-25-2019, 10:10 PM	#2545
DeluxeMoustache Moustache Join Date: Mar 2010 Exp:	I voted loved it. Neal was bad. Really bad. No compete, all excuses. Long off season, my ass. Even the rare goals he scored were crap. His lack of effort was an insult to his teammates. Considering Lucic, 20 points with main line mates Kassian and Brodziak is not that bad. I think people underestimate the impact of linemates on productivity. I hear the argument that he sucked his way in to the 4th line but that doesn’t pass the smell test. He was a 50 plus point guy for 1.5 seasons and mid season, his line mates changed and he became a 20 point guy. Kassian got some looks on the top line and went from a <20 point guy to a 40 point guy. Maybe the explanation is the simplest one. Edmonton is no good. Neal might get some goals with McJesus and Draisaitl. Anybody will. Chiasson did. Even Kassian did. If Neal comes in and gets 20 goals / 40 points, someone else drops away. I laugh at highlights where McJesus just lets guys walk past him in the d zone. Add Neal’s coasting back and failing to put sticks in passing lanes to that, and you have one bad defensive duo. In terms of the business, the 10 million real dollars they save, like someone pointed out, is about 4 percent of the cost the Flames have to pony up for the arena. I really can’t fathom why Neal just didn’t give a crap. But I sure as heck know that logic dictates his coaches and teammates must have had enough. Calgary simply can not provide Lucic with linemates as crappy as Edmonton gave him. They just don’t have any. So that’s it. Lucic will be better than he was, which is already better than what Neal was. He brings some actual sandpaper, ability to win battles and control the puck on the boards. I also think he will more likely get middle six deployment than 4th line. Not expecting Bruins era results from Lucic, but Neal just didn’t care, and I don’t think was going to fit. F him. If Lucic is a crappy fourth liner that does something, it’s a good deal for the Flames. Anything more is gravy. And I think there is much more than 20 points on the fourth line.