Ongoing thread for Neal/Lucic discussion

[habernac]

Flip Lucic back home for Loui Erickson?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Not looking at points and some advanced stats actually have Lucic as better than Neal over the last two seasons when looking at isolated impact away from linemates.

My guess is Flames feel Lucic is better suited for the 4th line, and fills a hole that they need from a physical perspective.

Prior to last year, Neal was much better than Lucic over the last few years.

Neal's numbers were terrible this season, but also remember that Lucic's CF% rel and FW% rel are higher because he played on the ####ing Oilers.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Terrible. BT should never make another UFA signing.

Well then it's great we got rid of his last one to Edmonton..

[Flash Walken]

Reminder that Neal had 0 trade restriction on his contract.

This is the best trade the Flames could do.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by 868904

LOL. I don't know. Must have something to do with a 100 point team and 2nd best record in the league.

Oh, and a great young core at forward and defense, but let's just focus on the peripheral pieces.

Meh, the team hasn't made any noise in the playoffs. If the Flames can't at least win a playoff round this year, they should look to replace Treliving.

I'll fully admit I was wrong if the Flames can make some noise this season, but geez. This move is a doozy.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Neal must have requested a trade and frankly this is about all they could get for him.

Idk I’m trying to see the positives here but it’s hard.

It would be better to just tell him no and suck it up

[Ozy_Flame]

From HF, possibly an Oilers fan:

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Seriously? A ton of chicken littles in here thought the world was going to end if we started our regular line up against the Oilers in game 82 because of what Lucic was going to do to our stars.

And? He did nothing.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Not a UFA signing.

James Neal was a UFA signing, or do you think we desperately wanted Lucic in a pure hockey move way? The only reason we picked up the boat anchor that is Lucic is because BT blew it for about the third time during the UFA signing period.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by 868904

LOL. I don't know. Must have something to do with a 100 point team and 2nd best record in the league.

Oh, and a great young core at forward and defense, but let's just focus on the peripheral pieces.

That team looked real awesome in the playoffs last year and outside of Hanafin and Lindholm the core of this roster was not put together by Treliving.

[topfiverecords]

Neal must have really pissed someone off.

"Fine, we'll take the worst deal out there for a complete anchor and you have to spend 4 years in Edmonton."

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Terrible. BT should never make another UFA signing.

You're the most anhedonic person I've ever come across. It's fascinating.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Reminder that Neal had 0 trade restriction on his contract.

This is the best trade the Flames could do.

Most people thought the Flames would have to add a pick or a good prospect to move him. Instead they made a relatively even salary/production move and added a pick.

We all know you hated the Neal signing. And you were proven correct. I'm not sure why you hard on it.

[Moneyhands23]

Flames locker room better keep lucic under observation for syphilis

[Coach]

Interesting I guess.

We'll see how the money shapes out, but not super stoked. Personally think Neal has a better shot at a turnaround than Lucic, but I guess I'll be sheering for the former this fall.

Hopefully he wants to burn the Oilers to the ground.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Prior to last year, Neal was much better than Lucic over the last few years.

Neal's numbers were terrible this season, but also remember that Lucic's CF% rel and FW% rel are higher because he played on the ####ing Oilers.

The 3 year isolated view on hockeyviz actually has Lucic being more positive than Neal over that span.

Ridiculous move still IMO just due to contracts.

[stone hands]

Originally Posted by VilleN

And? He did nothing.

much like our former 6 million dollar 4th liner

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by VilleN

And? He did nothing.

Yes but a whole bunch of guys thought he was going to end careers! If he can still scare other teams like that it's a win already!

[swo2k1]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Do the Flames have to honour the NMC since he waived to come here?

I believe they have to honor it. But the NMC would expire before the Seattle expansion draft so that at least shouldn't be a concern.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by VilleN

Why do you think that? I can't figure out why that is terrifying. A motivated Lucic isn't really going to scare anyone at this point.

Lucic is pretty uniformly recognized as one of the toughest players in the league, even if the rest of his skillset has diminished. You don't need speed to be intimidating.

If used properly, his presence is going to wear down other teams, especially when the 'heavy' comes in the playoffs.

I'm not enamored with the trade, but I can see what Lucic can bring to the table and am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Plus if he's anything like what other players say about him, he's going to be on fire (pardon the pun) to get out of a ####ty situation and onto a rival contender.