I have watched this team since the 80's, and I never once saw a worse player on this team who literally didn't contribute anything positive at all - and that includes Anders Ericksson and others who are 'notorious' on these boards for being terrible players.
Peters put Neal with Gaudreau and Monahan automatically after every penalty kill (since Lindholm is on the PK). What did that line generate? IIRC, zero points. That's fricken amazing. What a superstar.
Does nothing but hurt the Flames all season, then in the middle of the playoffs, he has a meltdown in practice about his lack of playing time in full view of his teammates with Peters. What happens the very next game? Neal has the 'controller disconnected' moment on the game winning gave 4 goals for Colorado, when they go up 3-1 in the series.
I always wondered how the team felt about him given the above - especially that argument with Peters. I guess now I know. No wonder Tkachuk instigated that fight with Neal. Good on Tkachuk there.
The real heal indeed.
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