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Calgary4LIfe · 08-04-2021, 04:39 PM

The only positive thing about Neal was that he seemed like a good luck charm in the recent seasons before that, having been to the Finals with Nashville (2017) and then with Vegas (2018). He was supposed to be the good-luck charm for the Flames to start making some noise.

I personally had reservations about him. I thought the contract was too long given his age and how he seemed to always be injured every season (which made me more worried about the long-term deal). I didn't think he would flat-out suck in every way possible, however. I don't event think I voted, as I was pretty much on the fence the whole time.

I was much more comfortable with Brouwer coming in (and he was WAY better, but still under-performed enough to be bought out). I didn't think Brouwer would have been that bad.

I liked the Hamonic deal at the time (though not a UFA of course)- though I thought it was expensive for a defensive defencemen. However, I remember a number of Islander fans saying that Hamonic was really the product of Calvin de Haan, and I think they were partly right, and partly sour grapes. I was enthused about getting Hamonic as I thought he was Regehr-lite.

Still, I am sure that there were questions organizationally with pro-scouting over the last few years. Brouwer, Neal, Raymond - buyouts (or buyout-worthy), plus a continual 'forgettable cast' of depth that usually doesn't move the needle much (though they were positive in that they didn't become a negative beyond the season - Simon, Leivo, etc).

I will say this right now - there was a sense of 'purpose' to this year's crop of UFA signings, at least to me. Over the last 5 years, the Flames seemed to just be trying to sign guys to fit various roles, but without any real structure to it. Some guys worked out (like Frolik!), most have been forgotten about mostly due to their lack of impact either positive or negative, and others like Brouwer and Neal were awful. It just looked like the Flames trying to fill-up spots.

This year there is a philosophy to the signings (and Zadorov trade), and I think they will really help this team this year.

My hot take: Flames finish ahead of Vegas, and Neal doesn't get signed on whatever PTO he ends up getting.

08-04-2021, 04:39 PM	#219
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	The only positive thing about Neal was that he seemed like a good luck charm in the recent seasons before that, having been to the Finals with Nashville (2017) and then with Vegas (2018). He was supposed to be the good-luck charm for the Flames to start making some noise. I personally had reservations about him. I thought the contract was too long given his age and how he seemed to always be injured every season (which made me more worried about the long-term deal). I didn't think he would flat-out suck in every way possible, however. I don't event think I voted, as I was pretty much on the fence the whole time. I was much more comfortable with Brouwer coming in (and he was WAY better, but still under-performed enough to be bought out). I didn't think Brouwer would have been that bad. I liked the Hamonic deal at the time (though not a UFA of course)- though I thought it was expensive for a defensive defencemen. However, I remember a number of Islander fans saying that Hamonic was really the product of Calvin de Haan, and I think they were partly right, and partly sour grapes. I was enthused about getting Hamonic as I thought he was Regehr-lite. Still, I am sure that there were questions organizationally with pro-scouting over the last few years. Brouwer, Neal, Raymond - buyouts (or buyout-worthy), plus a continual 'forgettable cast' of depth that usually doesn't move the needle much (though they were positive in that they didn't become a negative beyond the season - Simon, Leivo, etc). I will say this right now - there was a sense of 'purpose' to this year's crop of UFA signings, at least to me. Over the last 5 years, the Flames seemed to just be trying to sign guys to fit various roles, but without any real structure to it. Some guys worked out (like Frolik!), most have been forgotten about mostly due to their lack of impact either positive or negative, and others like Brouwer and Neal were awful. It just looked like the Flames trying to fill-up spots. This year there is a philosophy to the signings (and Zadorov trade), and I think they will really help this team this year. My hot take: Flames finish ahead of Vegas, and Neal doesn't get signed on whatever PTO he ends up getting.