[Rumour] McKenzie: "conceivable" that James Neal could be moved. Lots of TJ Brodie trade talk

[Dajazz]

I don’t think Neal forgot to play hockey.

I would bet he’s back to 20 goals next season, I’m not willing to write off a proven scorer like that. Now, I’m sure lots of other teams think the same and are willing to “help” Treliving. He’ll go to another team, pot 25 goals and Treliving will look like an idiot.

His trade value is so low that he’s a lot more valuable to the Flames if he can return to at least 60% form.

[bubbsy]

Watching neal play, the speed/intensity, i doubt he ever hits 20 goals again.

If there's a positive way to get him outta here, i think you have to do it.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by blankall

My thoughts on Neal last season:


Now is the time to move Brodie though. Quite frankly, I see Andersson and Valimaki both as smarter d-men than Brodie. Both will end up just as good skaters. Brodie is a FA next season we cannot possibly retain. Time to sell somewhat high.

Andersson will never end up as a good skater. If he can become average at the nhl level that is a win. His stride is so ugly to watch.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Husky

Andersson will never end up as a good skater. If he can become average at the nhl level that is a win. His stride is so ugly to watch.

Agreed. Kylington is the elite skater of the young D.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Agreed. Kylington is the elite skater of the young D.

I would say Hanifin is the best skater of the young D

[Moneyhands23]

I don't recall Anderson being a poor skater that needs to improve to be an average skater.
Also Hanifin can skate and is also one of our young dman.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Dajazz

I don’t think Neal forgot to play hockey.

I would bet he’s back to 20 goals next season, I’m not willing to write off a proven scorer like that. Now, I’m sure lots of other teams think the same and are willing to “help” Treliving. He’ll go to another team, pot 25 goals and Treliving will look like an idiot.

His trade value is so low that he’s a lot more valuable to the Flames if he can return to at least 60% form.

I largely agree with you, but he was so bad...and I keep thinking the same thing, this isnt the James Neal we signed, he'll get better.

But I was thinking that all season. And then in the playoffs and it just never happened. He never looked like he was making progress.

How much more rope can we give him?

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Locke

I largely agree with you, but he was so bad...and I keep thinking the same thing, this isnt the James Neal we signed, he'll get better.

But I was thinking that all season. And then in the playoffs and it just never happened. He never looked like he was making progress.

How much more rope can we give him?

I think the only real difference will be his long offseason this year. If he gets his body rested then trains like hell it may help his start to the year and confidence.

Idk though. But many players do come back from a bad year. I think he is guaranteed to be better next year as it will be hard for him to be worse.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Locke

I largely agree with you, but he was so bad...and I keep thinking the same thing, this isnt the James Neal we signed, he'll get better.

But I was thinking that all season. And then in the playoffs and it just never happened. He never looked like he was making progress.

How much more rope can we give him?

This part worries me, I pretty much felt the same way. It is entirely possible he just doesn't have the horses. Hoping I am wrong and that he has a good off-season.

[cannon7]

Andersson is a choppy skater, but his foot speed is almost never the reason he's out of position. I've said it before, but if we could merge Andersson and Kylington into a single player that would be a #1 d-man in the NHL. Andersson's hockey sense, positioning and tenacity combined with Kylington's skating and offensive instincts. They've both made huge strides in addressing their weaknesses, though.

[Bingo]

Was listening to the Fan late afternoon and Pinder was talking to a Vancouver media member (not sure who) about the three contracts (Lucic, Eriksson, Neal).

Vancouver guy said Neal is different he could bounce back.

Pinder said that there are those with that theory, and that for what it's worth people he's talking to (Pinder) have said he's already all over the workout regime.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Was listening to the Fan late afternoon and Pinder was talking to a Vancouver media member (not sure who) about the three contracts (Lucic, Eriksson, Neal).

Vancouver guy said Neal is different he could bounce back.

Pinder said that there are those with that theory, and that for what it's worth people he's talking to (Pinder) have said he's already all over the workout regime.

That was not a Vancouver guy it was Jonathan Davis who I believe is the NHL network best writer/analyst for the California teams I believe. I did like how he took Neal out of that Lucic and Erickson bucket for now

[Toonage]

^ He also figured Neal for Turris was the way to go

[Locke]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

This part worries me, I pretty much felt the same way. It is entirely possible he just doesn't have the horses. Hoping I am wrong and that he has a good off-season.

Ditto....but thats just another excuse.

If he has a great off-season but still isnt producing what do we do with him? How many games does he get? Do they juggle him up the roster? Down the roster? Healthy scratch?

Where do we draw that line?

I dont want to draw it, I want the James Neal that was advertised to finally show up.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

If there is a reasonable trade for James Neal out there, you take it. No waiting for him to bounce back, he's just not a good fit in this lineup going forward.

[The Professor]

So late to the party, but can someone fill me in on the Turris situation? What is it about him that puts him in Neal territory? Contact? I thought he was a good player.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

This part worries me, I pretty much felt the same way. It is entirely possible he just doesn't have the horses. Hoping I am wrong and that he has a good off-season.

Thing is, you don't need to be speedy gonzales to come back into your defensive zone and pick up your man rather than f***** float at centre ice...

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by The Professor

So late to the party, but can someone fill me in on the Turris situation? What is it about him that puts him in Neal territory? Contact? I thought he was a good player.

Never seemed to fit in Nashville and had a truly awful year.
I think he's more likely to rebound than Neal. I've always liked his overall game. Has an excellent release, and scored some big playoff goals.
But he has an additional year of term over Neal. So if he doesn't rebound you are stuck for that much longer. And his deal probably ain't gonna look pretty in those last couple of years.
So you create a little more long-term risk but you perhaps get more short-term upside.
I make the deal.

[getoverit]

After reviewing Turris stats and besides the fact he rarely plays a full season i think i would look at something else or ride the thought that Neal will have a rebound year. Get rid of janko on that line and look for a new centre. Preferably a 2C and move Backlund to that line

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Was listening to the Fan late afternoon and Pinder was talking to a Vancouver media member (not sure who) about the three contracts (Lucic, Eriksson, Neal).

Vancouver guy said Neal is different he could bounce back.

Pinder said that there are those with that theory, and that for what it's worth people he's talking to (Pinder) have said he's already all over the workout regime.

Really, this is true. Neal has had one bad season, after a hell of a lot of hockey the previous two seasons. The others have had multiple bad seasons in a row. Plus the others just seem like they have no interest in bouncing back. Neal has at least said the right things.

I may not work out that way, but the chances are better with Neal. I think other GMs may think the same so Neal is more attractive as a trade piece than the other too (and therefore to the extent hes a cap dump, it's not as expensive for the Flames to do so).

There are also no restrictions on moving or trading Neal, unlike the other two.