Let’s talk about Milan Lucic

[Hockey_Ninja]

Lucic has been one of the biggest whipping boys on the team this season. I myself am guilty of taking jabs at him. I like Looch as a person and he’s obviously well beloved in the locker room, but at this point and time he’s mostly been a liability on the ice. His lack of speed is obvious but that toughness and agitation that he’s known for hasn’t really been there consistently enough this season. Enforcers/Grinders similar to Lucic seem to be a smaller bunch than they were back then in the NHL. Is this Lucic’s last NHL season or is there still a place for players like him in the league?

[keenan87]

The Flames will most definitely sign him to a multi year contract. Lucic isn't going anywhere, unfortunately.

[robertsfanatic]

IF he re-signs it will be at close to league minimum...i still wouldn't do it even though i don't mind Looch

[Toonage]

Even if Sutter wanted to keep him it would have to be league minimum and I just can't see it.

[The Cobra]

Let's not beat a dead horse.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by keenan87

The Flames will most definitely sign him to a multi year contract. Lucic isn't going anywhere, unfortunately.

Bite your tongue.

[saillias]

There's a place for players LIKE him, but he no longer has the skills to be a regular NHLer. They still use him like he's Chris Simon when he should be used more like Oliwa.

[Ozy_Flame]

Im ok with him as the 13th forward or when you want to goon it up and send a message. Beyond that, no dice.

I'd be ok with a one-year, league minimum deal if he's down for it. We can even keep it one-way if it means he's OK with playing for the Calgary Wranglers.

[Elkyiv]

His game is more or less the same as it was last year in terms of what his role is and production. He has taken fewer penalties this season too, which is good. I think the increased criticism now is borne out of the whole team underperforming. I don't see how he's a detriment any more than someone like Lewis.

[FanIn80]

Folks, I promise you Milan Lucic is not what's wrong with this team.

[Tuco]

35 years old this summer. Could be the end of the line for the big fella. Maybe there's room somewhere in the NHL for a 1 yr league min contract?

[midniteowl]

Don't want him, not even at league minimum. I'd rather the kids from farm. It's not so much about his speed or skill, it's GAF level hasn't been there for a long while. The two kids were hustling on the o zone and d zone, and he's kinda like whatever. The team is fighting for a playoff spot for god's sake.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Folks, I promise you Milan Lucic is not what's wrong with this team.

I assume you know what is?

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Folks, I promise you Milan Lucic is not what's wrong with this team.

Oh I definitely agree. I didn’t make this thread to make it seem like he was. There’s deeper problems with the Flames org than one player

[Lanny'sDaMan]

I love Looch and think he's an important presence in the lcoker room. That being said I would NOT like to see him on the ice anymore, as his old man body clearly can't keep up. I would love to see him behind the bench in an assistant role of some sort.

[Looch City]

10x10 minimum. Non-negotiable.

[FlamesAddiction]

He seems like a good guy, but he just isn't very good at hockey anymore, like at all. I am so glad that contract is over at the end of the season. He isn't even much of a physical threat anymore either. He lets his team mates get walked on all the time and usually doesn't do anything about it.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Absolutely no way should he be signed. He might not be what's wrong with the team but his presence and deployment by this coach is puzzling.

I'd be open to a 1 year deal at league min as an extra forward with a different head coach but if Sutter returns Lucic can't return.

[bigrangy]

Lucic is not the problem with the team. The problem is lucic being held to a different standard than the rest of the team. Fail to backcheck costing a goal against? That’s ok, go do it again 20 times. Fail to cover his guy in the d-zone allowing a goal against? No worries buddy, go get em next time. Fail at a breakout because you can’t handle a breakout pass? Bad luck! Go try again!

Any other player outside of the 4th line does this and they’re benched or in the pressbox. The game has mostly passed Lucic by and while he can still be dangerous when he has open space, he’s a giveaway machine when under any pressure. The double standard regarding Lucic is definitely visible from out here so I can imagine it’s not ideal in there.

I do appreciate his beef and am still of the opinion that every team needs a regular forward who can and is willing to mix it up. But he has by far the worst goal differential on the team, which is the one stat that actually matters on the scoreboard. It’s not like it’s a fluke he’s the worst either, he’s the worst among regular forwards in every fancy category too, and sometimes by a lot.

It would be easier to stomach him if he were actually leading the Flames to impose their physical will over the other team, but the team doesn’t need to be physical since they always have the puck. And then he goes and does nothing in the Rangers game.

I’m pretty sure he gets another contract, and I still think he could be a Perry-like asset to a team that has some superstars in the top 6 that he can mesh with. But this team rolls 4 lines and seemingly needs to right now. And Lucic with depth on the rest of his line is not going to be someone who helps you win games.

[memphusk]

After watching Trouba steamroll through Calgary and lucic not make an effort to atleast crush him its fair to say he's just not useful to the team anymore. Gilbert can fill that roll plus be a positive to the team. Please move on.