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

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Great Read. I was optimistic about the signing before reading that. Now I'm 100% on board with the signing...

I don't subscribe to The Athletic but am really curious to know what changed in Duhatschek's mind for Neal to sign here. It's very interesting to me that he was so keen on settling in Vegas, and now he is with the Flames for the next five years.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by HockeyKhan

Can we now lock that ridiculous fire Treliving thread?

No, keep it open, Stay Golden needs somewhere to feel at home.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Is he still dating Melanie Collins?

[direwolf]

So I guess top free agents sometimes DO want to come to Calgary. This is encouraging.

[home_sweet_dome]

Put me in the wait and see camp.

He's basically a 20-20 guy at this point in his career and it's very possible the production falls off a cliff at some point in this contract. Does bring a physical presence, winning pedigree, and leadership intangibles but it's still an overpay as every big UFA signing typically is. How long he can keep producing at a 20+ goal rate will go a long way in determining how it works out .

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't subscribe to The Athletic but am really curious to know what changed in Duhatschek's mind for Neal to sign here. It's very interesting to me that he was so keen on settling in Vegas, and now he is with the Flames for the next five years.

I'd assume musical chairs / bluff and a loss.

To go to Calgary for the same term and only 750K more has to be about Vegas no longer having said offer on the table and going with Stastny.

That doesn't take away from the commitment and he seems like the type of guy that will love a Canadian market but I'd guess he thought Vegas would up the dollars on July 1st and they didn't

[etdpratt]

One of the things I am most excited about this trade is not just the point production from Neal, but if he plays with Gaudreau on the top line, Gaudreau will be more freed up than ever in his career to be creative and produce.

In previous seasons we saw stretches where Gaudreau was the total focus of the defense and he was often double teamed, making it difficult for him to move around effectively. I feel that Neal immediately brings a relief in this area as he will torch you if you try to over-invest on Gaudreau. I really hope they start him on that top line.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'd assume musical chairs / bluff and a loss.

To go to Calgary for the same term and only 750K more has to be about Vegas no longer having said offer on the table and going with Stastny.

That doesn't take away from the commitment and he seems like the type of guy that will love a Canadian market but I'd guess he thought Vegas would up the dollars on July 1st and they didn't

Yeah, it probably is just as simple as that. I do really like what Neal said about playing in Vegas long term, and one would have to think that he looks at the Flames lineup today and sees a similar trajectory of future potential.

[Heavy Jack]

I was thinking just that ~ a top line of Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal almost makes it impossible to double cover any one guy. If you try to double up on Gaudreau there is a very good chance he still floats a pass through which opens up odd-mans for Monahan/Neal and if you do catch him along the boards its a battle that could easily be lost once Monahan/Neal join to support. If you try to double up on either one of Monahan or Neal it opens up the other guy and both can score 30 goals in this league... Gaureau could be a 30/80 guy if they gel properly.

[sureLoss]

GM Brad Treliving says one of the options he finds intriguing is having James Neal and Matthew Tkachuk play together on the same line.

Says the forward options up and down the lineup are really exciting, at least on paper. #Flames

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

GM Brad Treliving says one of the options he finds intriguing is having James Neal and Matthew Tkachuk play together on the same line.

Says the forward options up and down the lineup are really exciting, at least on paper. #Flames

Where? Where does Treliving say this?

[Heavy Jack]

That duo of Tkachuk/Neal would be awesome to see and if the Flames ever did want to give Bennett another shot at center with wingers like Tkachuk/Neal the potential is definitely there for Bennett to take a step. I mean that line would just cause absolute nightmares for the opponent.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1013854734489247744

[browna]

Gilbertson tweet, Neal's words:
#Flames new guy James Neal: "I want to win. I feel like we’re really close to doing that and hopefully I can be that piece that pushes us over the edge and gives us what we need to win a Stanley Cup in Calgary."

From a guy a few games away from a Cup...

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Where? Where does Treliving say this?

Sorry that’s from Steinberg

[flame^thrower]

I chose love it. This is what we needed. If we are entering our win mode, this was necessary. After watching his highlights and seeing how deadly his shot is ... makes me feel even better about the signing! A few more tweaks and we'll be ready for the season. We have a lot of bodies right now, I sure look forward to the competition at camp!

[Heavy Jack]

Pat Steinberg
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Verified account

@Fan960Steinberg
9m9 minutes ago
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GM Brad Treliving says one of the options he finds intriguing is having James Neal and Matthew Tkachuk play together on the same line.

Says the forward options up and down the lineup are really exciting, at least on paper. #Flames

[Heavy Jack]

from twitter:

Spoiler!

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

GM Brad Treliving says one of the options he finds intriguing is having James Neal and Matthew Tkachuk play together on the same line.

Oh man, that's gonna drive Doughty nuts, lol.

[Heavy Jack]

Oh man the division games just got that much more fun... guys like Neal make those games great but to have Neal and Tkachuk causing havoc at any given moment on the same line is a nasty thought