Quote:
Originally Posted by fleury
I think that's fair. Only problem is from the beginning Neal had higher upside and Lucic was going to be the same/decline. So the boat anchor exchange is correct, but we were selling Neal at his lowest, when if we really wanted Neal could've started the season to work things out, and if it didn't work out the deal for Lucic could always be had because he wasn't going anywhere anytime.
|
If you see Neal bouncing back then for sure at least on the surface they could and should have brought him back.
I see Neal as a player that has been declining for three years though, and the contract won't go well in Edmonton.
I don't think that was an option though, so I see the get him out of here directive coming at the end of last year and they spent a summer trying to find a way to move him out before settling on the only option they found (and grinding the Oilers the best they could for the cap space and insurance).
Between the last game scratch, Neal's comments and even things like Tkachuk and his "we brought everyone back" remarks. I don't think it was an option to play here again.