Yup. Lindolm is far superior to Neal in every aspect of the game. Flames don't need Neal because Linholm is better. Every one clamoring about the Neal trade and all his goals need to ask themselves would they give that ice time to Neal instead of Lindholm or Tkachuk? That is what it would take for him to be in a similar role. I have not looked at the stats, but I would be pretty confident that even strength Mangiapane brings more to the table than Neal.
That is why Neal is no good and would never have done what he is doing this year in Calgary. He would not be able to break into the top 6, top 9 is debatable. Neal had trouble making the top 12 when the season was on the line. This trade was always about sending a 5.25M 13th forward because they didn't fit, for a 6M with money retained bottom 6 player. The draft pick is just a bonus.
Even Rene Corbet saw an uptick of production when he came to the Flames because he was given more ice time with Fleury.
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