[Sandman]

Originally Posted by cowtown75

Lucic has been one of the only forwards to be showing up every game with compete level. Is he as fast these days, no, but he is also very savvy with the puck, makes huge hits, creates fear for the opposition when he is on the ice, is a very good locker room guy and brings experience and the right attitude. Every time there is a hot line, he seems to be on it. I get the cap hit isn't ideal but the intangibles Lucic brings to the team cannot be monetized.

He replaced Neal who was a cancer in the locker room, was such a liability on the ice that the team was better off if he wasn't on the ice and didn't produce at any level (scoring, hitting, locker room, compete) At the time Neal was signed, most thought it was a bit of an over payment but it was a big name signing and we finally had a top RW'er for Johnny and Mony. It just turned out that we also got Lindholm and talks were that Peter's wanted to try Lindholm on the top line as RW. So I don't know if that pissed off Neal or why he sucked and sulked so bad when he got his shot to play on that line or any line after that so bad - but getting Lucic in exchange for that dumpster fire was a blessing.

THIS. A thousand times.