I watched almost ever Flames game last year and there were maybe 3 games where James Neal seemed engaged and could actually pass as an NHL player.
It looked like he was just learning to play the game. Slow, terrible vision, stone hands and a shot that took forever to get off and if he did it went wide or hit the goal in the logo.
Even if he improves slightly he will still be terrible defensively and a step behind the play.
I didn't watch many Oilers games but when the Flames played them, Lucic was more noticeable for good reasons than Neal was all season. Frankly I am most surprised how bad James Neal looked last year. Excited to have Lucic as a Flame.
|