Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
True but this is why you have pro scouts and analytics.
Who supported the signing and who advised it against it?
If they all supported it - points to bad scouting and analytics
If they didn't support it and the GM did it anyway - that's on Tree.
The argument for signing Neal was that indeed he was a consistent 20 goal guy.
But one would expect those paid to do this job - would go deeper than that.
I don't think Tree should be fired for it - but the Neal signing was his signal worst move as GM and did damage to his ability to build a contender. No question.
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I disagree with this take. Easily his worst move as GM was trading a 1st and 2 2nds for Hamonic. It weakened their asset base when they were in a spot to contend in 2019 and Hamonic turned Brodie into a whipping boy and made Hanifin expendable to many this offseason.
In hindsight the Neal signing was a poor one no doubt and easily his worst free agent signing. That is a challenge of being GM of an undesirable market. I was of a sound belief the team needed another top 6 scorer that offseason. Lindholm was an upgrade on the outgoing Ferland but that 2018 Flames team really needed a top 6 forward. With the Hamonic trade bleeding the organization of trade assets Treliving went out to the market and got the highest rated UFA left. I remember Neal rumored to be looking for 6x6 so I was happy we got one less year and under 6 without any trade restrictions.