Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
See I don’t get this. Do people actually think Neal is a good hockey player? If you watched him last season you’d know he isn’t. He’s total garbage. We sabotaged them by giving them Neal. Good fit for their needs? I didn’t know their needs were to acquire more players that are god awful 5 on 5. Neal doesn’t significantly improve the Oilers at all imo.
|
I honestly don't know if the Oilers would have even made the deal if Lucic's contract wasn't less impactful to buy out.
Calgary wanted him gone, sounds like they asked ownership to buy him out and were rebuffed, so found the only deal they could. Can't believe how many times this needs to be revisted.
The disaster was the Neal signing, the trade is doing the best they can with said disaster.
My hope in this was a better 5 on 5 player that could provide a physical element. So far this year Lucic has been a factor in 3-4 games for his physical play and his holding his own 5 on 5.
Comparison
xGF%
Neal 48.1%
Lucic 51.1%
Shots%
Neal 47.6%
Lucic 53.3%
HDCF%
Neal 50.8%
Lucic 51.2%
Zone Starts
Neal 70.8%
Lucic 47.8%
Neal is playing with better players, getting favourable sheltering, and is pushing the needle less.
Pretty much what I hoped for.