Quote:
Originally Posted by Dajazz
Maybe, then again Treliving wanted Lucic. I think there would have been takers on Neal, goal scoring is hard, very hard. Yes, he is one dimensional and has unsustainable luck right now - but I don’t think any GM in the league said “Neal is done” and thought he would be a 7-goal scorer moving forward.
He didn’t fit, he sulked, he sucked. He can (obviously) still score some goals, Lucic can’t. Neither can Lucic be exposed in the expansion draft. So that makes its even worse.
I am a great fan of Treliving, but this trade feels urgh.
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I just don't think there were other options on the table. I think the very result of the trade tells you how badly the hockey world perceived Neal after last season.
Treliving knows the Lucic is contract is less managable. I think he was told he couldn't buy Neal out, worked all summer to find something that works and then took the Edmonton deal for owner cash savings, some cap space and the hope that it helps the room.