James Neal

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I would be more worried if Neal was in a top 6 role and not producing. Most of us penciled him in on line 1. If he was on line 1 and not putting up points I'd be a bit more concerned. As it stands now he's on the 3rd line, which more then anything speaks to the depth the Flames have upfront.

TBH I'm not really concerned about him, even if he has a down year. The Flames don't need him to be a star player. He's not a core piece. The team isn't relying on him to be successful. So in that sense the leash is a bit longer for him to find his groove.

And it can't be overlooked just how much he's helped Bennett. Sam is finding his way now, yet not much talk about how having a vet like Neal on his line has helped him. We all praised Jagr for tutoring Sam, but Neal has gotten little credit for that same role.

Neal's goals will come. He's too good of a player. It's not like he's completely useless like Brouwer was. I see a player who has gotten his chances but just hasn't cashed in yet.

We all need to remember that Neal is a perennial 20-25 goal scorer. Not a perennial 30-40 goal scorer. Players in that 20-25 range are always streaky and often have prolonged goal scoring slumps during the season, only to cash in a bunch in a short time. This isn't unique to Neal. He'll get his goals and we'll all be happy by season's end.

Neal isn’t Jagr. Jagr at 46 was on for 15 GF and 6 GA.

[Stanley]

...is Troy Brouwer 2.0

[Toonage]

He hasn't earned it, but I'd still start Neal on the first line against Pittsburgh.

If he's going to come alive, it would be in that spot in that game.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by Toonage

He hasn't earned it, but I'd still start Neal on the first line against Pittsburgh.

If he's going to come alive, it would be in that spot in that game.

I'd have him selling f**** popcorn at concessions

[Toonage]

That can be the game against Washington if this doesn't go well.

[Jeff Lebowski]

As others have mentioned I think he needs to be the trigger man on the PP. All it takes is one goal to get a streak going. Alternatively they could put him with Backlund and Bennett.

If the top line is bleeding chances against put Tkachuk up there with them. Frolik with Lindholm and Czarnik.

Nothing set in stone but just get some key guys going, get the good vibes up, play the 200 ft game you want to see and cement some good habits.

[GioforPM]

Do people who want Neal sitting out want him to get better and contribute or are they just mad at him? Because I don't think benching him does anything to help his game, or improve the team. Benching is for young guys who need to take a look at the bigger picture on the ice or need some motivation and worry about maintaining their spot with the big club. Neal is a veteran, not in danger of demotion, getting paid and all it would do is make his pissed at the coach.

[Toonage]

No, don't want him to sit. Frustrated, yes. Concerned, yes. But this is a guy who can play his way out of a slump. I have no doubt. Therefore right now what he needs is time with playmakers and proven goal scorers to get him going. Like I said, he hasn't earned it but maybe he needs a full game with Gaudreau & Monahan? Also wouldn't hurt to have a bit of a dirt bag on that line for when Gaudreau gets run. What opponent wants to risk their own top star getting drilled?

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Do people who want Neal sitting out want him to get better and contribute or are they just mad at him? Because I don't think benching him does anything to help his game, or improve the team. Benching is for young guys who need to take a look at the bigger picture on the ice or need some motivation and worry about maintaining their spot with the big club. Neal is a veteran, not in danger of demotion, getting paid and all it would do is make his pissed at the coach.

Frolik says hi

[redpaint]

Originally Posted by AC

I thought Neal had a pretty good game actually.

Great tip off the crossbar and made 2 really nice passes to teammates in positions to score. Didn't like his fieldgoal all alone off that beauty pass by Tkachukk.

100% correct. If even one of those chances goes in this thread would be singing his praises tonight. (That tip was insane IMO). Not to mention, the late penalty he drew could have changed the game had the powerplay cashed in.

His shooting average on the season is less then half of his career average at 5.6% (through 9 games) which means its only a matter of time before he starts feeling the puck better again and can hopefully cash in on those shots outside the hash marks.

I also find it interesting his previous shooting percentage career lows (by team) came after relocating, and in each of the seasons he followed it up with his highest goal outputs.

2010-11 PITT 20games 1.9% shooting percentage (next season 12.2% and 40 goals)

2014-15 NSH 67games 10.4% shooting percentage (next season 11.6% 31 goals)

The only exception was his first year in Vegas were he maintained his career consistency. But considering the whole team was 'new' that year I think he adjusted more quickly to the team and of course their team chemistry was unreal.

[CliffFletcher]

I'm not sure what people were expecting from Neal. He comes as advertised - a big body who can shoot the puck and plays mean. That's about it. He's always been slow and not good defensively.

Snipers like Neal tend to be streaky. It's too early to tell if he's going to pot 20-25 this season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Frolik says hi

Exceptional. Plus, he's the kind of middle forward who you can get away with that with. My sense is that it wouldn't work with Neal.

[tvp2003]

Not the first, and probably won't be the last time Neal is in a slump:

Obviously, there’s a lot more stuff that goes into my job than just my release. So much of scoring goals is confidence. If you shoot a puck and you don’t believe it’s going in, it’s not going in, buddy. I’d say the toughest part about being a goal-scoring winger is that when you go through a slump, it’s pretty brutal. Hockey is really unique in that respect. You could be having the worst game ever, but if a shot deflects in off your shin guard, your whole mood changes. You get instant confidence. When you’re in a drought, it feels like there’s a forcefield over the net.

...

Confidence really is everything.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en...edators-sniper

Give him some time on the PP1 unit and set him up for a one-timer. I haven't watched every minute or even every game, but has he even taken a single one all year?

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Exceptional. Plus, he's the kind of middle forward who you can get away with that with. My sense is that it wouldn't work with Neal.

Maybe not, but I'd be willing to try it to see if it lights a fire to at least see some more drive and effort. He looks disinterested most of the time.

[troutman]

I cringe whenever big contracts are given to players 30+ years old. Risky.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'm not sure what people were expecting from Neal. He comes as advertised - a big body who can shoot the puck and plays mean. That's about it. He's always been slow and not good defensively.

Snipers like Neal tend to be streaky. It's too early to tell if he's going to pot 20-25 this season.

I was expecting to see a guy who could at least skate at a Jagr last season level.

Seriously is he keeping weights on his skates until Christmas? He looks like he didn’t take a single stride all summer. This is what worries me... 5 years!

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Diane Phagoof

I think it's time to take off the kid gloves. He's been so ineffective, looks disinterested. The new Brouwer.

Brouwer's 1.5 + Neal's 5.75 = 7.25m in dead weight.

I just knew the Flames made a big mistake with this guy. The Flames needed a 2nd line center, not another over the hill, over payed winger.

maybe give a guy more than a few games to get used to a new team and new city? maybe even to learn the on ice tendencies of his new teammates?

if he's looking like this after game 30 or 40, then perhaps be concerned.

hasn't he scored at least 20 goals every season he's been in the league?

it's ok to admit he hasn't played that well yet without having to also write him off.

[Toonage]

Worth noting he wandered into a similar situation last year in Vegas. New teammates, new coaches, new everything. And excelled.

Making those excuses for him this year doesn't hold a lot of water.

I'd still play him with the top line for a full game or two, but this is why I'm concerned. His performance last year vs. this year suggests to me we are seeing complacency. I honestly do think he can and will play his way out of it, but thats the concern in the back of my head. Hope I'm wrong.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by troutman

I cringe whenever big contracts are given to players 30+ years old. Risky.

It seems about only 1/5 of those kinds of deals end up working out for the team, yet the league is filthy with those kinds of contracts. Guys playing high level well into their 30's is the exception, not the rule.

[PsYcNeT]

I have no issue with a guy being snake bitten or just generally having bad puck luck (eg the crossbar), but his give-a-#### level is absolutely garbage.

For all the people giving Monahan #### for floating back last night and not moving his feet, Neal does that every ####ing game.