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

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Karl

You've lost your mind.

Lucic flat out sucks and it's not just because he plays for the Oilers. He is not a fit for any NHL team anymore. Can't pass, can't stick handle, can't shoot and, most of all, can't skate. The game has passed him by.

Lucic is an NHL player because of contract only, and it really is only because of that ridiculously bad contract. If it weren't for that silly contract, he wouldn't be in the NHL. Skill wise he's not close to being NHL calibre anymore.

And no, Lucic is not salvageable. His skills are too far gone. No one can save him. Not the Oilers, not any other NHL team, no one.

Oiler fan here.

this post is 100% accurate.

[Robbob]

It hit me the other day. Lucic game right now reminds me of David Wolf. So blatantly obvious that the game at this level is beyond him. It was pretty painful watching that for three games. I can't imagine the pain it would inflict for 3 full seasons and knowing there are 3 more to come.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by redforever

Do you honestly think Hamonic is going to trash GG or the system or how he was used?

Hamonic is pure class...there might be some settling in but some players never settled in for 2 years,

More was going on last year than settling in.

It wasn't just lip service. He went on at length just the other day about how he always played for one team and almost always with the same linemate on that team. He also said that it wasn't the whole year, and he was much more settled in the second half. This is borne out by the eye test IMO, as if you watched him last year, he was actually very good in the second half. At least until the wheels fell off the entire team in the last few weeks.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Robbob

It hit me the other day. Lucic game right now reminds me of David Wolf. So blatantly obvious that the game at this level is beyond him. It was pretty painful watching that for three games. I can't imagine the pain it would inflict for 3 full seasons and knowing there are 3 more to come.

He has 4 years left, Oiler fans get to enjoy that for 4 years after this season.

[GullFoss]

On a scale of one to ten, this thread has gotten hella stupid.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

On a scale of one to ten, this thread has gotten hella stupid.

I saw this thread has been increasing in size recently and thought I would check out the discussion. Big mistake. I now feel much stupider.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Come on, it hasn't even been 30 games yet into the 1st year of his contract. Talk about Chicken Little thinking. Has Neal been great? No. But let's have a little patience here. If management gave into every knee jerk reaction, Brodie would have been long gone after the bad couple of years he's had. I guess by end of next year and James Neal is averaging 10 goals a year, then I'll gladly give you the satisfaction of giving me a "I told you so!"

And to be perfectly honest, I'd rather not need to give up assets at the trade deadline for a rental. I'd rather sign one for free. Oh wait, we did that. I think his name was James something.

And if you think this will seriously mean not being able to sign Chucky, well, I guess I'm just a little more optimistic than you.

To be fair, this thread mirrors the Brouwer thread in a lot of ways. Myself and many others defended him to the death for a season. And then again during that first off season. And then again at the start of his second season.

It isn't much different than defending a coach, or a team's record, or a goaltender etc. How long do you wait to consider them a failure?

30 games is probably too soon for a 5 year contract but at some point you have to draw a line and say that he's not living up to his contract.

[MWM2002]

I don't think Neil can skate to be effective in this lineup. Still perplexing he was ever signed and what role he was supposed to fill except for maybe a shot specialist on the powerplay how Iginla was in his twilight with the Flames. Nothing to convince anyone that this contract will ever be money well spent. It could get progressively worse as the role he fills just isn't there.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

I think people need to calm their tits.

Remember a large part of C.P. was crucifying Hamonic last year and the trade was complete crap? Seems if you have a little patience and let the situation play out you get a better understanding of the situation.

Or how meh Frolik was his first year as well

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Really? You think changing his stick makes a guy go from a consistent, front-line NHL scorer to a quasi-borderline ECHL level talent? If his skill set was that tenuous I suspect he would have played about 730 fewer games than he has in the NHL.

He is quite paranoid about the stick. Mentions so himself in his PT article:

Honestly, the feel of my stick is everything. I get a little bit OCD about my sticks before the game. It has to be just the way I want it or I won’t feel comfortable on the ice. The second I pick up a stick from the rack and I put it down, I can tell if it’s right or not. The feel of the flex is the most important thing. Also, the curve of the blade and the way that it’s taped. Everything matters. When I tape my stick, I use thick white tape and I wrap it from heel to toe. I leave a little bit of the toe untaped, because that’s where I usually release my shot from.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by MWM2002

I don't think Neil can skate to be effective in this lineup. Still perplexing he was ever signed and what role he was supposed to fill except for maybe a shot specialist on the powerplay how Iginla was in his twilight with the Flames. Nothing to convince anyone that this contract will ever be money well spent. It could get progressively worse as the role he fills just isn't there.

Of course he can't, Chris Neil retired as of last year.

And, even when Neil was playing he was pretty much usually just a garbage hockey player who was good for nothing but punching faces and dishing out cheapshots.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Karl

Of course he can't, Chris Neil retired as of last year.

Actually, I think he meant Harry Neale.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Or how meh Frolik was his first year as well

I hope Neal can produce at the same level as Frolik did in his first year. Frolik was a half a point a game player that year, so for the rest of the year Neal would need the following

53 games left - 35 points. He would have to play at a 54 point pace over an entire year.

In order to have the same number of goals and assists he would need 12 goals (a 19 goal pace over 82 games) and 14 assists (a 22 assist pace). The Frolik first season pace would at least salvage this year in part. But hitting the actual totals of Frolik is more obtainable as Frolik missed 18 games due to injury that year.

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I hope Neal can produce at the same level as Frolik did in his first year. Frolik was a half a point a game player that year, so for the rest of the year Neal would need the following

53 games left - 35 points. He would have to play at a 54 point pace over an entire year.

In order to have the same number of goals and assists he would need 12 goals (a 19 goal pace over 82 games) and 14 assists (a 22 assist pace). The Frolik first season pace would at least salvage this year in part. But hitting the actual totals of Frolik is more obtainable as Frolik missed 18 games due to injury that year.

Shhhh, Neal (or Neil or Neale as has been repeatedly misspelled in this thread) is not allowed to be criticized...get with the program!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

Shhhh, Neal (or Neil or Neale as has been repeatedly misspelled in this thread) is not allowed to be criticized...get with the program!

It's funny how people say they aren't "not allowed" to post things that they actually post. What they really mean is that their opinions get challenged and criticized. How unfair!!

[CanadaMatt]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It's funny how people say they aren't "not allowed" to post things that they actually post. What they really mean is that their opinions get challenged and criticized. How unfair!!

You’re absolutely right.

“Did Neal run over your dog or something” great challenge

“people always find something to complain about” great challenge

“Why can’t you just enjoy being 1st in the division” great challenge

“Frolik was garbage in year 1 too” nonsense challenge as has just been poupointed out

“Hamilton was criticized too, and look how that turned out” god knows what that poster was on about?

[PepsiFree]

And yet here you are, allowed to say whatever you want. The tough life of a victim.

[the2bears]

Fighting the good fight against CP group think and oppression. If the only think Neal is remembered for is being the catalyst of your crusade, then it's money well spent.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

You’re absolutely right.

“Did Neal run over your dog or something” great challenge

“people always find something to complain about” great challenge

“Why can’t you just enjoy being 1st in the division” great challenge

“Frolik was garbage in year 1 too” nonsense challenge as has just been poupointed out

“Hamilton was criticized too, and look how that turned out” god knows what that poster was on about?

Meh, I just assume the defenders are having their mortgage payments picked up by the Real Deal. It is really the only way to justify being in some fantasy world where the Real Deal becomes a 25 goal scorer for the Flames. And good on those fans in that case, everyone could use a little help with their mortgage.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

“people always find something to complain about” great challenge

“Why can’t you just enjoy being 1st in the division” great challenge

I stand by these opinions. Just chill.