[GDT] WCQF-G5: (W2) Colorado -3 @ (P1) Calgary –1 ~ 8:00pm (CBC, SN, NBCSN, TVAS)

[Svartsengi]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Its just not happening. it will be 1 or 2 more years and then a buyout.

I think you are right it will be very difficult if not impossible to move James Neal. Unless Calgary wants to take back Bobby Ryan from the Sens or some deal like that Neal is here for the start of next season. Would love it if Treliving can find a taker for Neal he looks like he should be put on waivers and sent to the minors.

[Patek23]

Just curious. Does anyone know of any players signing a big UFA contract like Neal. Bombing. But having a complete 180 the following year? Hoping there’s some sort of silver lining here.

[Huntingwhale]

I'm glad Neal is out and Czarnik is in. This would have been impossible to predict just 1 year ago at this time. But if Neal is angry about it, literally the only person he should be blaming is himself. No exception. Let's just hope he's professional about it and comes back a better player next year.

Czarnik should do wonders to help the forecheck hopefully.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

In fairness, I don’t think anybody thought he’d crash and burn like this. The last year or two of the contract? Sure, but not this fast. Brutal contract now.

9 straight 20 goal seasons. On the one hand, it looked like the safest investment you could make.

This is all on Neal. He has always been slow, but he hasn't looked engaged at all this year. If it is all about the amount of hockey he's played the past two seasons, well then he better be great next season cause he sure didn't "play" much this year.

[FireGilbert]

Bittersweet to see Neal out of the lineup. Fully deserved and probably should have happened earlier but wow what a huge disappointment he has been.

Go Flames go! Just pull out a win somehow and go from there.

[FBI]

If the flames come back and win this series I will donate $100 to CP.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by iamca

If they win tonight and Sunday, I will buy you a ticket to Tuesday's elimination game.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

I'm not sure I could take a game 7 in person. I nearly had a heart attack during game 6 against Vancouver in '15

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Sending in some good vibes courtesy of Reddit

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuk-Backlund-Lindholm
Frolik-Jankowski-Czarnik

[TheSutterDynasty]

I always defend players and preach patience when it comes to building/coaching an NHL team but even I think Neal needs to go.

It's been 82 games and playoffs and not only has he not helped the team win, at times he's cost the team games. He was a big part of the loss last game.

He'll get another chance next year but I have to say I'm becoming very anti-Neal.

[BigBrodieFan]

Originally Posted by FBI

If the flames come back and win this series I will donate $100 to CP.

Me too.

[BigBrodieFan]

Originally Posted by AC

Flames lost 9-1 to PIT. Then followed it up with a close extra minutes shootout loss to WSH before going on a big run.

Same with the ugly 6-3 loss in TB. They followed it up with the close shootout loss in FLA. Then won 7 in a row.

It. Will. Happen.

This post makes my heart happy.

[etdpratt]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Neal Out. Czarnik in.

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames tonight in game five:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuk-Backlund-Lindholm
Frolik-Jankowski-Czarnik
Mangiapane-Ryan-Hathaway

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Valimaki-Andersson

Smith

Still don’t like that top line with monahan on it. Only positive is we control match ups because I wouldn’t want to see that top line against the McKinnon line.

Probably too much of a mix but what about moving backlund to top line and lindholm to center the 2nd line. Slide monahan to 3rd line. You could have Ryan slide in to 2nd line wing with his versatility.

Would look like:

Gaudreau-Backlund-Bennett
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Ryan
Frolik-monahan-czarnik
Mangiapane-Jank-Hathaway

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by etdpratt

Still don’t like that top line with monahan on it. Only positive is we control match ups because I wouldn’t want to see that top line against the McKinnon line.

Probably too much of a mix but what about moving backlund to top line and lindholm to center the 2nd line. Slide monahan to 3rd line. You could have Ryan slide in to 2nd line wing with his versatility.

Disagree, adding Bennett adds another guy who can drive a line which takes some pressure off Monahan. Hopefully he gets some classic garbageman goals tonight!

[Psytic]

Bennett at center with Lindholm on line 1 and Monahan with Tkachuck and Czarnik on line two. Backlund and Frolik to the third line with Jankowski moved to the wing I would have tried

[BigBrodieFan]

This whole Neal situation sucks all the way around, for him and for fans. Everyone can say that he contributed nothing to the team this year as far as points go, and of course that's true. However, he was a very positive force in the dressing room and at practice, always encouraging the kids. Gio said, just a couple of weeks ago, that he finds value in Neal's positive attitude.

Neal didn't just come to Calgary and collect his millions either, like he could have. He partnered up with 'Power Play' and donated his time to the kids in that program on a regular basis. A lot of professional athletes donate money to charities, but Neal donated his time and encouraged kids to do well.

All I am saying is that a lot of people are so quick to write players off for a bad game (in this case, season), and we don't look back and see the positives. I have a hunch that although he didn't do much on the ice, he did help the Flames get to Number 2 in some other ways.

[Mitt31]

Go Flames Go

Swap The lines to the following please and win

Gaudreau Lindholm Bennett
Thachuk Backlund Czarnik
Mangiapane Ryan Hathaway
Frolik Monahan Jankowski

I think Benny and Lindholm who are both aggressive I’ve and fast would get Johnny going

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by FBI

If the flames come back and win this series I will donate $100 to CP.

I like this. So,

If they make it to game 7 I will put my game 7 tickets up for a CP draw.

[Mr.Coffee]

Dube is better than Jankowski so that also should have happened but happy to see the change with Neal.

People shouldn’t feel entitled to be in the line up. Hopefully Peters sat down Jankowski and explained that he is in fact in the NHL and is in fact in the playoffs, so a little effort would be nice.

[etdpratt]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Dube is better than Jankowski so that also should have happened but happy to see the change with Neal.

People shouldn’t feel entitled to be in the line up. Hopefully Peters sat down Jankowski and explained that he is in fact in the NHL and is in fact in the playoffs, so a little effort would be nice.

I believe janko would be out if not for his usefulness on the PK.