James Neal - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

combustiblefuel · 10-20-2018, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Can you edit the title to James "The Real Frickin Deal" Neal because:

A.) It sounds cool
B.) Give the thread title greater surface area to click on (very important for people on smartphones and laptops without mice)
C.) It does not imply negativity (even though there may be negative discussion in it from time to time)

Its called zooming in....

DeluxeMoustache · 10-20-2018, 03:21 AM

So a question.

Do you
1) put Neal with Johnny and Monny to get him going?
2) put Neal in the press box for a game?
3) keep him on the third line with whomever else is on that line that fake and let him work through it?

I think a case can be made for all options.

I do think that the risks are numerous, including but not limited to:
#1 - optics of rewarding someone who isn’t producing sends the wrong message. (Having said that, as well as Lindholm can play with the big boys, couldn’t the Flames roll 3 really enviable lines if Lindholm is deployed on the middle 6? )
#2 - has Neal played badly enough to warrant a scratch? (Penalty was not unlike the ones from Frolik that saw him sit). Is Neal a big boy who can deal with being scratched after being a coveted UFA signing and this early in to his term?
#3 - you end up Gulutzan-ing him. Basically not putting him in a position to succeed and then him disappointing. Big risk given that there is, what, ballpark 30 million invested in the guy?

I hope we have generally seen enough over the years to know that there is a very strong correlation between players’ results and their capabilities and their opportunity to succeed.

A blessing can sometimes be a curse, and in this case, the forward depth makes for some difficult decisions.

I mean, just think about this. Bennett this year has been arguably a beast, and has only upside, being 22. The owners are in to him for a paltry amount right now, compared to what they are invested in to Neal for.

If you can set your clock by Neal scoring 20, then great. That’s what they paid him for. But if he doesn’t? Yikes. Break out the Pepto for the owners.

For me, we are just a handful of games in. Neal has not impressed but has been buried.

Guys like Czarnik and Dube can look fine at times, but delivering day in and day out over a 80 game season, not only once, but repeatedly, is what earns a lot of contracts with significant NHL dollars.

With full disclosure that I am not a Flames coach, GM, executive or employee, these decisions are above my pay grade.

Itse · 10-20-2018, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

4 GP
1 G
1 A
2 Pts

Pace
82 GP
21 G
21 A
42 Pts

Reason they acquired James Neal via free agency? He scores 20 goals a season.

Placement on list of worries? Low

Still 1 goal 1 assist, now 7 gp.
Pace 12 goals 12 assists.

Suddenly this argument isn't looking so great.

442scotty · 10-20-2018, 09:08 AM

Treliving never learns. The only guy he has signed to a career final contract that actually has earned it is Giordano. Neal is Brouwer 2.0 or he just doesn’t fit in with this team yet. I just don’t see him fitting in but what the heck what do I know.

Bingo · 10-20-2018, 09:17 AM

I'm just not that worked up about James Neal.

He's a veteran with a proven track record of production and being streaky. It will come.

Last night that third line was Calgary's best with 70% of the shot attempts and a big third period goal.

Strange Brew · 10-20-2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itse

Still 1 goal 1 assist, now 7 gp.
Pace 12 goals 12 assists.

Suddenly this argument isn't looking so great.

Well when you’ve got one goal, scoring pace is never a reasonable argument. And if you’re not worried about a big money UFA contract, then you haven’t been paying attention to the NHL.

But I think Neal will play well this year.

Yamer · 10-20-2018, 11:01 AM

He and Bennett are looking really strong playing together, and the chances are coming at a solid clip. Sam's starting to looking like the player the Flames thought they were drafting.

Besides, it's 7...freaking...games. Neal is not on my list of concerns today.

dino7c · 10-20-2018, 11:10 AM

Love that line with Neal/Bennett and whoever

Last night was probably Neal's best game

blankall · 10-20-2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dino7c

Love that line with Neal/Bennett and whoever

Last night was probably Neal's best game

Other than the totally unnecessary four minute penalty that cost the game....

Bingo · 10-20-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blankall

Other than the totally unnecessary four minute penalty that cost the game....

That's a stretch, it was 3-3 after the goal they scored when he was in the box.

Flamenspiel · 10-20-2018, 12:09 PM

Neal is certainly a required piece for this team, the Flames have so many lightweights that a skilled player who is physically intimidating is an absolute necessity. That third line was the best one by a mile last night.

Agree on the complaints about Smith, was at the game and saw the angle of the shooter before it went in(Rinaldi's goal), there was way too much space on that left side.

dino7c · 10-20-2018, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blankall

Other than the totally unnecessary four minute penalty that cost the game....

It was an accident, not some selfish play or something. Besides its one PP goal against in a game where they scored 5 goals.

Penalties happen...kill it off. Bad rebound and bad clearance on that goal

jlh2640 · 10-20-2018, 02:31 PM

There always has to be one player we all hate on. No Brouwer or Stajan this year so here we go. Brodie I am sure will be up there again. But I was banking on Ryan honestly

Hey Connor, It's Mess · 10-20-2018, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlh2640

There always has to be one player we all hate on. No Brouwer or Stajan this year so here we go. Brodie I am sure will be up there again. But I was banking on Ryan honestly

Ryan had a noticeably good game against Nashville I thought. So did Neal for the most part.

SeanCharles · 10-20-2018, 10:05 PM

Year 1 of Neal's 5yr deal is the least of my worries..

He played hard last night and has some good chemistry with Bennett.

Years 4-5 are the years I worry about, but we aren't there yet so I'm willing to be patient with Neal. There is no doubt he is currently one of our top 7 forwards.

JT96912 · 10-21-2018, 10:28 PM

Another nothing burger. I hope it's coming...

jlh2640 · 10-21-2018, 10:43 PM

He will have a game where he scores many goals. This is not another Troy Brouwer. He has looked good

Robbob · 10-21-2018, 10:49 PM

Yeah, the line is playing well.

AC · 10-21-2018, 10:51 PM

He hasn't looked dangerous enough, but it's still too early to worry IMO.

He has 1 goal, which is more than Crosby, Zuccarello, S. Reinhart, Kadri, Ehlers, Getzlaf, Eberle, Schwartz, and as many as Teravainen, Duchene, Hall, Nyquist, ROR, Barzal, Krejci, Turris, Koivu, Rakell, Hischier, Mantha, Stamkos, etc.

bigrangy · 10-21-2018, 11:10 PM

I’m not going to worry about Neal right now because the rest of the team is rolling. When John/Sean eventually cool off for a couple games it will be Neal’s turn to get hot and I think I’ll be pretty thankful the Flames signed him.