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

[Bingo]

Before I read other comments ...

The pros are obvious in getting a proven 10 year 20 goal man, hard to find more consistent

The principal con is his age, and a new contract given out at age 30.

But to get this guy for less than 6 years and less than 6 million is a huge win to add proven scoring to a pretty good young core.

Hard to not be pretty pumped about this. Love guys that play their off side too. Neal's article a few years ago in the Tribune about shooting in the inside was interesting as hell.

Have to think Frolik/Brouwer are on their way out now. Likely Mike Stone on the blueline too.

[TheKurgan]

Wow, didn't think we would actually be able to pull a signing like this off, an actual top line winger It's a year to long and a bit too much money but for a free agency signing it actually isn't too bad. Not all Treliving's deals work but you you have to give that guy credit, he doesn't sit still, he is always trying to make the team better.

We might need to trade Frolik or buy out Brouwer to give us some cap room but overall our forward lines are much improved.

[St. Pats]

So I've been so ho hum about the offseason so far haven't even felt the desire to comment. But this is a whole new ballgame. Yep enthused now!

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

For those wondering, the following players are arbitration eligible:

Lindholm
Hathaway
Jankowski
Kulak
Rittich

Walkaway Hathaway?
Or would we have to accept the arbitration in order to qualify for a buy out window?

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by FlamesNation23

Hamilton for lindholm, hanifin, and neal. Ya i like that

After the first trade it may have been wish washy but now a day into free agency

Hamilton, Ferland, Fox out
Lindholm, Hanifin, Neal, Ryan, Czarnik in

Is a damn good trade off.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Before I read other comments ...

The pros are obvious in getting a proven 10 year 20 goal man, hard to find more consistent

The principal con is his age, and a new contract given out at age 30.

But to get this guy for less than 6 years and less than 6 seasons is a huge win to add proven scoring to a pretty good young core.

Hard to not be pretty pumped about this. Love guys that play their off side too. Neal's article a few years ago in the Tribune about shooting in the inside was interesting as hell.

Have to think Frolik/Brouwer are on their way out now. Likely Mike Stone on the blueline too.

Interesting to see if the Flames can get a 2nd r pick for each of Frolik and Stone.

Would be great to have a strong season and playoffs next year, then have a strong draft after the season!

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

Walkaway Hathaway?
Or would we have to accept the arbitration in order to qualify for a buy out window?

Flames won't be able to walkaway from Hathaway's salary arbitration.

If he files for arbitration, the award will be well below the walkaway threshold.

If the Flames file for arbitration, they can't walk away from club elected arbitration.

[djsFlames]

This roster can I think compete for the division, and should.

[Toonage]

Did not expect this! Saw the Commodore tweet last night and brushed it off. Woke up and it happened! Thought for sure they were in on Maroon or maybe ROR but not Neal. I am pretty happy about this. Exactly what this team needs. Chippy, hard to play against and he scores. Not the kind of toughness I thought they were after so this was a surprise!

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by heep223

In this case I view dirty player as a good thing tbh. Aside from Tkachuk and Gio, this roster is a baby’s ass. It just got a little meaner

Yeah, we need more team toughness, and Neal fills that. But he crosses the line too often. And that's not a good thing. But, it's part of the package.

[Erick Estrada]

I like this signing. He can score and he plays on the edge. The term is a little scary but there's going to be another round of compliance buyouts if it ever comes to that and as well the Flames really don't have many bad contracts compared to a lot of other teams.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Ehhhh... seems like a lot of term for a 40-50 point guy who just turned 30. What else is new with UFAs. I guess there's no more high horse sitting around here about other teams signing dirty players.

I am mostly interested if there's a NMC or buyout protection.

[Heavy Jack]

I think with the improvements throughout the lineup Brouwer will easily waive his NTC even to a team he had on his list if it meant more opportunity. If we include Stone or Frolik in the deal it could make it more palatable for the team acquiring.

Stone + Brouwer (Minor % retained) to Ottawa? They have a few picks they could deal — Pittsburgh 3rd + Ottawa 5th?

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I like this signing. He can score and he plays on the edge. The term is a little scary but there's going to be another round of compliance buyouts if it ever comes to that and as well the Flames really don't have many bad contracts compared to a lot of other teams.

Agreed. If they lock up Lindholm and Hanifin to 6 or 7 year deals it gives them a large group of 28-30 year olds to pick through when the time comes as long as they can have a couple good drafts in the next few years. The big mistakes are giving Tavares or Doughty 11 million a year. Neal at half of that for shorter term? Much better.

[Heavy Jack]

Also think a Frolik for Petan type trade could work for Winnipeg after they deal with all their RFA’s.

[bzoo02]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Ehhhh... seems like a lot of term for a 40-50 point guy who just turned 30. What else is new with UFAs. I guess there's no more high horse sitting around here about other teams signing dirty players.

I am mostly interested if there's a NMC or buyout protection.

There isn't.


https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/sta...796111874?s=19

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

From the Neal Rumor thread:



It’s like we signed Jarome Iginla without having to actually sign Jarome Iginla!

I love the signing but James Neal is no Jarome Iginla. (11 straight 30 goal seasons which were preceded by a 28 and a 29 goal season)

[RatherDashing]

Looks like me and Beltlinefan were onto something!

[The Boy Wonder]

Like this deal. Gotta move out some more of the deadweight like frolik and stone. Don’t think we can move Brouwer, May just have to leave him in the press box.

I also doubt you can get much for stone as Im pretty sure the flames were shopping him at the draft and couldn’t get a first three rounder for him

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by bzoo02

There isn't.


https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/sta...796111874?s=19

And 5.75 for all 5. No talk of bonus, etc.
So not loaded, apparently