[Rumour] McKenzie: "conceivable" that James Neal could be moved. Lots of TJ Brodie trade talk

[SuperMatt18]

The Turris one makes sense just because Centers are always more valuable commodities than Wingers.

If Turris can have a good season in Calgary next year he'd be easier to move than if Neal has a good season IMO.

Plus while that contract is 1 year longer, he's actually 2 years younger.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by The Professor

So late to the party, but can someone fill me in on the Turris situation? What is it about him that puts him in Neal territory? Contact? I thought he was a good player.

A large majority of Nashville fans are giving Turris some leeway as he dealt with some injuries last season (broken foot) but the fact of the matter is by all accounts he was downright horrible last year (arguably worse than Neal), and has failed to find his game at all in Nashville.

Turris was given some of the most sheltered offensive minutes in the league last season (68% offensive zone starts - which ranks 6th highest among NHL regulars), and played with some quality players in Craig Smith and Kevin Fiala and did little to nothing with the opportunity. Turris managed just 78 shots on net in 58 games, only scored 7 goals, and does not provide physicality, a strong defensive awareness, penalty killing abilities, or above average faceoff skills. He has just 21 goals in 139 games in a predators uniform and was a healthy scratch for a handful of games last season.

5 more years at 6 million per year is a gigantic risk given his recent play. Neal was seriously bad last season as well, but also received less favorable opportunities (less icetime, lesser linemates, lesser offensive zone starts, etc..) and at the very least was still generating shots on net at a fairly high rate which is something that can't be said for Turris. I can't speak as to how much the injuries truly effected his game, but that is a seriously scary contract as we sit here today. Maybe a straight up swap would be beneficial for both players - as in theory Turris is a "better fit" for this lineup and Neal has previous successes in that organization.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by HitterD

Firstly, while I agree with most of this, I have to say this is hilarious to me coming from a poster named Classic Sniper, which is essentially what Neal is.

On a more serious note... for me the approach should fall somewhere in the middle. I agree the Flames need to target players in free agency that are able to drive a line, drive possession etc. Ultimately though almost every goal that is scored comes from someone getting someone else the puck, so it’s not as simple as saying avoid players that need someone to get them the puck to score a goal. Everybody needs someone to get them the puck to score, the puck touches a lot of sticks before scoring chances happen

I think the problem with Neal is not that he’s a pure sniper and the Flames should avoid that. I think Neal’s problem was that he’s a pure sniper who didn’t have the legs to get into scoring positions last year quick enough.

Ironic, however it was more of an ode to Iggy than a James Neal who isn't even in the same neighborhood of player.

Ultimately what I really mean is that the Flames need to find guys who can hold on to the puck, make plays, create their own shot and help others around them be better.

I remember wanting both or at least one of Perron or Maroon last summer but instead we got Neal who on paper should've been a great fit on the top 6, but clearly not on the ice. I think his skating has always been the weakest aspect of his game, but with great playmakers like Haula and Perron, they clearly hid Neal's shortcomings whereas his linemates this year couldn't IMO.

[868904]

Originally Posted by getoverit

After reviewing Turris stats and besides the fact he rarely plays a full season i think i would look at something else or ride the thought that Neal will have a rebound year. Get rid of janko on that line and look for a new centre. Preferably a 2C and move Backlund to that line

I just think Turris fits in better with the type of game the Flames want to play, and that is a game with pace.

Neal just doesn't play that way. You can say Neal was fine with the Knights who played a high pace game, but he was really the only snail in that line up. All the other forwards could fly.

In Calgary, you have Monahan and Tkachuk "anchoring" your top 6, it's really hard to fit another slow skater into the top 6 and maintain a high pace game.

[bubbsy]

Neal's game could only potentially work in Calgary if he plays with elite level play making, that means he has got to play on Gaudreau's line or he's just not going to be all that effective.

Unless the flames bring in another great playmaker, there's no way Neal is going to be a producer playing with guys like Backlund, Bennett, jankowski, czarnik, Ryan. None of these players are elite play makers, allowing Neal to park himself in good one time/sniping locations.

[Vinny01]

Neal-Turris is a risky deal but I think I make it if I am the Flames (if it is available)

Both players have had rough goes with new teams. The Flames were apparently in on Turris back when he was traded to Nashville and the Preds tried desperately to keep Neal away from Vegas but wouldn’t pay the price the Knights wanted to take someone else.

Turris is younger, right shot, and plays a premium position but has the extra year and slightly bigger cap hit. I wouldn’t be adding if I was the Flames but would entertain a 1 for 1 deal. I would then look to move Jankowski or Ryan and tell Dube he is a winger.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Neal's game could only potentially work in Calgary if he plays with elite level play making, that means he has got to play on Gaudreau's line or he's just not going to be all that effective.

Unless the flames bring in another great playmaker, there's no way Neal is going to be a producer playing with guys like Backlund, Bennett, jankowski, czarnik, Ryan. None of these players are elite play makers, allowing Neal to park himself in good one time/sniping locations.

I think Neal could find success with Backlund. He plays a similar offensive game to Haula and is a strong in transition and puck possession. The problem with that however is that it then diminishes Backlund's ability to be your shutdown center as I am not sure you want Neal matching lines with the opponents best players consistently.

Mangiapane - Ryan - Neal could potentially work as well, but then it becomes difficult to get Neal the minutes he needs to be productive.

Tough spot. Tough contract.

[Toonage]

Neal played with Backlund.

No success.

[Harry Lime]

Moving Lindholm to Centre solves a lot of slotting problems in Calgary.

Mangiapane - Backlund - Neal has a good shot at success if the other lines shoulder some defensive responsibility. That could be a very effective third line.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Moving Lindholm to Centre solves a lot of slotting problems in Calgary.

Mangiapane - Backlund - Neal has a good shot at success if the other lines shoulder some defensive responsibility. That could be a very effective third line.

This would be downgrading the top two lines to try and “get Neal going” on the third.


And still probably wouldn’t work.

[FlamesAreOne]

I've heard there's no way Brodie is a Flame this coming year.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by neo45

This would be downgrading the top two lines to try and “get Neal going” on the third.


And still probably wouldn’t work.

It depends on who fills in at RW on the top line. Lindholm is an upgrade over Backlund on the second line offensively and I think he has some defensive chops (and so did some Selke voters). If you slot a really good RW in on the top line, maybe you don't downgrade.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It depends on who fills in at RW on the top line. Lindholm is an upgrade over Backlund on the second line offensively and I think he has some defensive chops (and so did some Selke voters). If you slot a really good RW in on the top line, maybe you don't downgrade.

I don’t think we have a right wing that’s close to Lindholm offensively or defensively

Don’t think we have the cap to get one either

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by neo45

I don’t think we have a right wing that’s close to Lindholm offensively or defensively

Don’t think we have the cap to get one either

Your 2nd statement doesn’t really make much sense. Sure maybe mideason we’d be handcuffed by the cap but right now at the beginning of the offseason? The possibilities are endless. Our cap situation could look much different in 2 days as player like Frolik and Brodie May be dealt.

So it’s silly to say at this point in the off-season that we don’t have the cap space to add a RWer.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Neal played with Backlund.

No success.

Very briefly and that was with Tkachuk whom I think can't be on his line whatsoever. The lack of footspeed is to detrimental.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Your 2nd statement doesn’t really make much sense. Sure maybe mideason we’d be handcuffed by the cap but right now at the beginning of the offseason? The possibilities are endless. Our cap situation could look much different in 2 days as player like Frolik and Brodie May be dealt.

So it’s silly to say at this point in the off-season that we don’t have the cap space to add a RWer.

Do the math.

If the flames move out Brodie and frolik that cap space will be mostly eaten up by tkschuks new deal, in which case, where does the cap space come from to sign or trade a top 6 rw?

"Oh we don't know what the future holds so don't dare speculate"

Do the cap math.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Do the math.

If the flames move out Brodie and frolik that cap space will be mostly eaten up by tkschuks new deal, in which case, where does the cap space come from to sign or trade a top 6 rw?

"Oh we don't know what the future holds so don't dare speculate"

Do the cap math.

Let’s see your math you tool.

Flames have a projected 13.5 million according to cap friendly with Bennett and Tkachuk to sign. Subtract Brodie and/or Stone and/or Frolik and we’re swimming in cap space aren’t we? Let’s see your math

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Do the math.

If the flames move out Brodie and frolik that cap space will be mostly eaten up by tkschuks new deal, in which case, where does the cap space come from to sign or trade a top 6 rw?

"Oh we don't know what the future holds so don't dare speculate"

Do the cap math.

Tkachuks current deal + Brodie + Frolik + current space would throw 11M to 13M in space out there. I think we're good.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Let’s see your math you tool.

Flames have a projected 13.5 million according to cap friendly with Bennett and Tkachuk to sign. Subtract Brodie and/or Stone and/or Frolik and we’re swimming in cap space aren’t we? Let’s see your math

Are we going to play with any goalies next year?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Let’s see your math you tool.

Flames have a projected 13.5 million according to cap friendly with Bennett and Tkachuk to sign. Subtract Brodie and/or Stone and/or Frolik and we’re swimming in cap space aren’t we? Let’s see your math

Cool, just play without goalies