[TheScorpion]

Both these guys took a little bit of time to adjust to the Flames, but I've been incredibly impressed with their play over the last month and change.

Lucic is surprisingly good with the puck. He's a smart player who, despite losing some of his agility, can still keep up with the play, make good passes, and find open ice. Where Neal often stood out through his puzzling positioning and inability to carry the puck, Lucic is strong on the puck and has proven to be adept at creating chances, especially recently. I predict that tonight's goal will the best first of plenty more.

It's also nice to have a player who has become so universally liked by the fanbase. The cheers of "Looch" from the fans at the Dome have only grown louder as the season has progressed. Lucic has stood up for his teammates, he's driven possession very much in the right direction, and he's now starting to contribute on the scoresheet. It's awesome to see.

As for Rieder, it's only become more and more obvious in recent weeks just how much speed he has. He's tenacious on the penalty kill and is clearly getting the green light to take off when he sees opportunities. Playing with Derek Ryan on the PK has clearly helped (interesting that Ryan is the common denominator with both Rieder and Lucic), but Rieder clearly has plenty of skill, to his credit. He reminds me of how Frolik used to play in his first few seasons here, but with more speed. I'm quickly becoming a fan.

These two ex-Oilers are quickly becoming some of my favourites to watch. Hoping for continued success for them and this team. (Cam, you're next).