LoL - Neal playing up the lineup to increase his value. IIRC, Neal got a lot of undeserved looks in the top 6. He was also the guy out with Monahan and Gaudreau after ever PK, and what was his stat line? Worse yet, how was Monahan and Gaudreau's respective stat lines when during those shifts. I might be wrong, but I sincerely remember getting really annoyed with Peters as it was an automatic zero points every single time. Now I might be exaggerating here (but somehow, I don't think I am) in thinking that Chris Stewart did better with Gaudreau and Monahan. Also, nobody remember how he was arguing with Peters during practice in the playoffs, and was trying to get more ice time? Then remember how he basically decided not to play defence, directly contributing to that ugly and pathetic goal against? Then he was a healthy scratch for the final playoff game, which I felt was LONG overdue. He should have been a healthy scratch halfway through the season.
Neal had to go. Lucic's contract is bad, but at least he is apparently a positive contributor to the locker room, he actually does have intangibles, he is faster, he makes better plays, he plays better defence, and helps give this squad a bit of swagger. He also comes cheaper.
This was a positive move by Treliving in my opinion, and probably the only move left to him as everyone knew by this point that Neal sucked. I am sure he got shopped, but there were zero takers. Calgary did well in that trade, IMO.
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