This ranks pretty high on my all-time surprise signings list, was there even the slightest hint of an indication this might happen prior to yesterday? I didn't even give the possibility a second thought
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This got me to thinking - when was the last time we, on paper, have had THIS legitimate of a first line? A legitimate #1 LW, #1C, #1RW in each of their own rights.
The two closest cases that I can remember would've been post-deadline 2009 after trading for Jokinen (but we all know how that went), and the mid-2000s line of Langkow, Huselius, and Iginla. How much of that line's success you want to ascribe to Iginla being a world-class player is up for debate however.
This might honest to God be the first Flames team to have a legitimate group of top 6 forwards and top 4 defensemen at the same time since the early 90s.
A legit trigger man with Monahan and Gaudreau is exactly what this line needed. They're going to be lethal.
But I'm also very excited about getting a leader out of that locker room into our own. You have to think that Neal was a big part of that 'never undervalue yourself' mindset Vegas must've had. Playing as a team and ignoring the predictions that have you struggling is exactly what this team needs mentorship in.
Out with the rumoured problem in that regard and in with a leader in the locker room that thrived at what we need to do is a big deal today.
I wouldn’t be shocked if this is why the Maroon signing was taking a while. We were trying to see if Neal would come with us, and he is hands down the better option.
Get on the puck......holy sweet infinite 11 lb baby Jesus. Woooooohooooo!
Okay. So here’s what Neal does for this team.
Tkachuk and Smith dont need to drag this team into battle by themselves. Neal can make this team hate losing even more.
Got away a great player from Vegas and our division/conference.
He’s crossed the line allot but it seems he knows better as he’s gotten older when to nand when not to take penalties.....hoping he keeps his nose as clean as possible here and picks his point well.
Playing with Johnny and Sean I think Neal scores over 30 this year . This guy can snipe and thinks this game like allot of great players.
He checked off allot of boxes which is exciting.
Hockey can’t start soon enough with this lineup.
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At the end of the day this signing and the rest of Treliving's actions since the Draft are about improving the Flames up front. However I also believe that he wanted to make a direct change to the dressing room dynamic and leadership dynamic of the team, it feels like the Flames management really didn't like something about the dressing room. The Neal signing goes directly to that as well.
The Flames look like an entirely different team and possible contender for the Pacific Division crown.
This. He’s a leader and a winner. Exactly what we need.
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Neal will help tremendously on the powerplay. And the beneficiary might be Monahan. Last POs I saw how having Laine on the far side opened Scheifle up in the slot.
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