[Signing] Flames sign James Neal (5 years, 5.75 AAV)

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

But why does that interest you? Doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend time being a fan, trying so hard to be ‘right’ that you are rooting against a Flame. Are you jealous he makes as much as he does? He isn’t negatively impacting the team, in any way, so what’s the problem?

I am not sure if he does not negatively impact the team. I personally do not care about how much money he makes, virtually every player on the Flames will make more money this year than I will in the next 10 or 20 years. If that was my criteria to hate a player I should hate them all. Troy Brouwer on this team instead of Neal, all things being equal would be a vast improvement, not just because of the extra 2.75 million in cap space this year, but the extra 2.75 next year and the extra 7.25 million in years 3 and 4.

One could ask why Flames fans make fun of Lucic being on the Oilers, he does not negatively impact their team either.

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

When you’re first in your division, usually yeah, people talk about positive things.

All you’ve done since he was signed is post exclusively negative things about James Neal, you don’t even participate in the rest of the forum.

If a team offered the flames a conditional 7th round draft pick for him right now, would you take it?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I am not sure if he does not negatively impact the team. I personally do not care about how much money he makes, virtually every player on the Flames will make more money this year than I will in the next 10 or 20 years. If that was my criteria to hate a player I should hate them all. Troy Brouwer on this team instead of Neal, all things being equal would be a vast improvement, not just because of the extra 2.75 million in cap space this year, but the extra 2.75 next year and the extra 7.25 million in years 3 and 4.

One could ask why Flames fans make fun of Lucic being on the Oilers, he does not negatively impact their team either.

One could ask that, but generally wouldn’t on a Calgary Flames message board.

Edit: never mind. I get it. That’s about all I understood though.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Just really odd youd focus on negatives when there are so many positives right now. Its like you look for things to complain about. Fans like you are really weird.

I think one can be happy as Flames fan that they are succeeding in spite of Neal and not have to be Pollyanna about Neal. The guy makes 5.75 million a year and is on pace to score 17 points this season. His signing almost certainly led to the Brouwer buyout. I think fans can both be happy and critical of the team at the same time.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I think one can be happy as Flames fan that they are succeeding in spite of Neal and not have to be Pollyanna about Neal. The guy makes 5.75 million a year and is on pace to score 17 points this season. His signing almost certainly led to the Brouwer buyout. I think fans can both be happy and critical of the team at the same time.

But he isn’t negatively impacting the team, in any way. So what’s the problem?

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

But he isn’t negatively impacting the team, in any way. So what’s the problem?

Please refer to the arguments made over the last two pages.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

Please refer to the arguments made over the last two pages.

Please provide good ones.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

Please refer to the arguments made over the last two pages.

So far, all you've got is that he's going to make Matthew Tkachuk disappear. If there was more, I didn't see it, because my eyes were rolling so hard they popped out of their sockets.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

If a team offered the flames a conditional 7th round draft pick for him right now, would you take it?

Absolutely not. He’s had a rough start, but his career to date makes me believe he’ll turn it around.

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

So far, all you've got is that he's going to make Matt Tkachuk disappear. If there was more, I didn't see it, because my eyes were rolling so hard they popped out of their sockets.

Sigh...Lack flexibility at trade deadline to add players to make a genuine cup run

You’re the Flanes GM, the bruins offer up a conditional 7th round draft pick for James Neal right now...do you take it yes/no

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Absolutely not. He’s had a rough start, but his career to date makes me believe he’ll turn it around.

You and I are on two totally different wavelengths...I get out of jail free card for a player who will never be a top 6 on the Flames...sold

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

Sigh...Lack flexibility at trade deadline to add players to make a genuine cup run

You’re the Flanes GM, the bruins offer up a conditional 7th round draft pick for James Neal right now...do you take it yes/no

Does a 7th help us make a genuine cup run? I mean, I guess if that’s the case yes.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

Sigh...Lack flexibility at trade deadline to add players to make a genuine cup run

How often has a player added at the deadline helped a team go on a genuine Cup run?

You’re the Flanes GM, the bruins offer up a conditional 7th round draft pick for James Neal right now...do you take it yes/no

Of course not. Don't be ridiculous. The man has finished every single season of his NHL career with at least 20 goals, and has just been on back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists. He has not magically forgotten how to hockey.

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

You and I are on two totally different wavelengths...I get out of jail free card for a player who will never be a top 6 on the Flames...sold

Gosh, I didn't know a team was forbidden to have more than six useful forwards. I also didn't know that injuries never happen. I guess I stand corrected.

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Does a 7th help us make a genuine cup run? I mean, I guess if that’s the case yes.

It gives the Flames cap space to add significant assets at the deadline for a genuine cup run

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

It gives the Flames cap space to add significant assets at the deadline for a genuine cup run

It does not, however, give the Flames anything to trade for those assets. Or did you somehow forget about that part?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

But he isn’t negatively impacting the team, in any way. So what’s the problem?

That may be true this year, I doubt they would have spent the extra 2.75 million on another player this year. But next year when we are looking for a goalie we may wish we had the 2.75 million next year and the 7.25 million the two years after when we try to re-sign Hamonic and Brodie and try to get a starting goalie as well.

Next year would you rather have Neal’s 5.75 million going to him or to a starting goalie?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

You and I are on two totally different wavelengths...I get out of jail free card for a player who will never be a top 6 on the Flames...sold

I guess I don’t have your crystal ball.

I think valuing a player on a 30 game stretch when his career numbers are what Neal’s are is terribly shortsighted.

It’s nice you want to sell low because it makes you nervous, but it’s a bad call. Plenty of people predicted the end of TJ Brodie, Carolina didn’t think Lindholm would ever be the player he is right now, the whole league is filled with guys who got traded because they would never be something, and they proved people wrong.

So, want to ignore Neal’s career and judge his next 5 years based on 30 games? Go ahead, seems foolish.

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

How often has a player added at the deadline helped a team go on a genuine Cup run?



Of course not. Don't be ridiculous. The man has finished every single season of his NHL career with at least 20 goals, and has just been on back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists. He has not magically forgotten how to hockey.



Gosh, I didn't know a team was forbidden to have more than six useful forwards. I also didn't know that injuries never happen. I guess I stand corrected.

We all laugh at the Oilers signing of Lucic. Neal is worse

No team should have a 5.75 million player playing on the third line and not scoring, unless they have added said player at the deadline and are only paying a portion of his salary as a rental.

Almost every Stanley cup winner has added players at the deadline, now you’re just being silly

[spuzzum]

Between Neal and Lucic - hands down Neal 100x a week and twice on Tuesday. And for Brouwer, I hope it's the last time I ever need to write his name or think about the value he provided the Flames.

Neal just seems like a nice guy who has an ability to break out in spirts + intangibles. Lots of FAs tend to have slow starts and perhaps he might never fully find his game - but with all the positives around the team this year - it's great we have him. Who knows how the stars would align had he not signed with us.

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I guess I don’t have your crystal ball.

I think valuing a player on a 30 game stretch when his career numbers are what Neal’s are is terribly shortsighted.

It’s nice you want to sell low because it makes you nervous, but it’s a bad call. Plenty of people predicted the end of TJ Brodie, Carolina didn’t think Lindholm would ever be the player he is right now, the whole league is filled with guys who got traded because they would never be something, and they proved people wrong.

So, want to ignore Neal’s career and judge his next 5 years based on 30 games? Go ahead, seems foolish.

Sorry, who does he replace on the top 6?