[News] Flames forward Neal stuck one point shy of significant milestone - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Otto-matic · 11-19-2018, 09:47 AM

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“Regardless of what you hear or what you say, I’ve been through this before,” Neal said. “I was a big trade to Pittsburgh (in 2011) … You know, go to the Penguins to be a goal-scoring winger, and I didn’t score for 22 games. I was in the biggest drought of my career, probably.

“I was a guy who is going there to a hockey market to play with the big guys and score goals, and I didn’t score a goal for 22 games.”

The details aren’t quite as grisly as he remembers.

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“Right now, it’s just in the moment,” Neal said. “I’m trying to get my game going. I’m trying to feel comfortable. I’m trying to do all those things to just be better.

“So I haven’t kind of looked back or taken it all in just yet. I think that’s more for off-season when you’re hanging out. But anytime the national anthem is going on or when I’m skating around in morning skate or in warm-ups, I try to take it all in. I look at the fans.

“I enjoy my job every single day. Couldn’t be any better.”

I have a feeling Neal is going to get going soon and will be a force in the stretch drive when they need him.

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“And then I’ve played a lot of hockey, short summers, everything goes into it … And I’m not trying to make excuses or anything like that, but sometimes when you change teams again, you have to get used to everything again and it’s not easy. It’s obviously been a lot tougher than expected.

“But I’ll be fine. I’ll be better.”

https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey...cant-milestone

Toonage · 11-19-2018, 09:55 AM

Glad to see him say he's happy, as that was a legit concern of mine. That he was regretting the deal. He'll absolutely be an asset down the stretch, if just for his experience, but I'd love to see him get on a roll here.

FlamesFanTrev · 11-19-2018, 09:56 AM

I thought Neal's intensity in the BOA was much improved, and he looked like a guy that was committed. I think we start to see him settle in and contribute in short order

burn_this_city · 11-19-2018, 09:57 AM

I honestly have no issue with Neal so far. As we saw with Hamonic it takes a bit to get going in new surroundings.

Split98 · 11-19-2018, 09:57 AM

If we play the way we've been playing now, with Rittich playing the way he has... and Neal has the jets cranked by playoffs we have a pretty good shot of having a lot of fun as the snow melts.

getbak · 11-19-2018, 10:09 AM

No better time to reach a milestone than against his former team.

Otto-matic · 11-19-2018, 10:15 AM

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Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I honestly have no issue with Neal so far. As we saw with Hamonic it takes a bit to get going in new surroundings.

Agreed, we're finally seeing Hamonic comfortable in Calgary.

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“We’re in a hockey market here. The fans are asking, the media is asking: ‘What’s going on?’ It takes time, too, to be comfortable in a new place. It takes time to get used to new linemates. It won’t always be like last year, going and scoring five goals in the first three games. It just doesn’t happen like that every year.

Dajazz · 11-19-2018, 10:19 AM

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Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I honestly have no issue with Neal so far. As we saw with Hamonic it takes a bit to get going in new surroundings.

Elias Lindholm says hi!

It is very individual, some get a boost.

burn_this_city · 11-19-2018, 10:20 AM

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Originally Posted by Dajazz

Elias Lindholm says hi!

It is very individual, some get a boost.

He had familiarity with the coach and was put in a position to succeed. Neal has had so-so line mates with very little consistency. I agree though, some players flourish in a new situation and others take a while to get going.

Jiri Hrdina · 11-19-2018, 10:20 AM

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Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Agreed, we're finally seeing Hamonic comfortable in Calgary.

And if this is how he plays for the next few years, I have no second thoughts about that trade. He has been very good this season. This is the guy Tre thought he was getting.

Otto-matic · 11-19-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajazz

Elias Lindholm says hi!

It is very individual, some get a boost.

Lindholm is a special case, he was put on the top line with two elite players.

If he was in Neal's position and linemates - we'd probably see the same production from Lindy.

Otto-matic · 11-19-2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

And if this is how he plays for the next few years, I have no second thoughts about that trade. He has been very good this season. This is the guy Tre thought he was getting.

Hammer has been one of our best players on the team this season IMO. I think he really help stabilize Hanifin.

Ever since he's come back that pair has been great.

Geeoff · 11-19-2018, 10:59 AM

Neal had some rough games early on but his last few have been encouraging

Enoch Root · 11-19-2018, 11:26 AM

I remain not at all concerned about Neal.

And I wouldn't be at all surprised if playing his former team twice this week gives him a big shot in the arm. He was good Saturday - maybe his best game of the year. He hits the milestone tonight.

EVERLAST · 11-19-2018, 12:00 PM

Love Neal but he needs to pick it up a little. If he isn't scoring he needs to cause way more rectal discomfort for the other teams than he is.

I wanting to see him do what Bennett and Tkachuk are doing in being physical and showing you DONT get to run around hitting our players without consequences.

By playoffs and yeah I'll say it.....by playoffs I want to see his confidence soaring and guys looking for Neal to have the puck and make a difference.