Ongoing thread for Neal/Lucic discussion

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You can only save 900K by putting a 1 way contract in the minors.

You can save a maximum of $375k + nhl minimum salary by putting a contract in the minors.

This year it will be 1.075 million.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

If Lucic can give an honest effort and be better in Calgary than he was in Edmonton, then I will like him as a player.
Sometimes you have to move past the contract.

I don't like the trade because of his term, but what can you do.

Effort might have been Neal's issue, but I don't think that was ever the problem with Lucic. For Lucic, it's that he isn't a smart player and his body doesn't do what it used to.

He used to be good, but now he is Chris Stewart V.20.


Neal will get 15 to 20 goals easily next season. Lucic might get 15 points. Mark my words.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by mikeecho

All about expectations. I expected Neal to be an average NHLer, and he never came close. I expect Lucic to be brutal, so there's a good chance he meets those expectations.

Sure, but the chances of Neal being moderately better this season are better than the chances of Lucic doing anything of value.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

Seems Dumb AF...

not sure what the logic behind this trade is, at all...

From the Flames perspective:

-Maybe save a little $$
-Conditional draft pick
-An overpaid player better suited to a role in the bottom six than the other overpaid player
-Neal didn't want to be here (allegedly), Lucic waived to come to Calgary (as reported)
-Gain size and grit (organizational weakness)

Oilers probably see a better fit for Neal in their top 6: a winger that can score (organizational weakness). But screw those greasy bastards.

[GGG]

This seems to be hung up in paperwork. I wonder if the permanent waiver of his no move clause is the hold up.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by tkflames

Also....F U Jason Gregor for providing me with comfort and being horribly wrong...

It was like the feint before the jab. Brutal.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Not sure about the alluded to locker room issues and that angle, but first reaction to this isn’t super positive.

Lucic will help the needed grit, much much more so than Neal. But we need grit that can play. When I look at the two players I feel it’s much more likely Neal rebounds than Lucic. In fact I think Lucic is kind of done, where as I think Neal likely just had an off year last year and will return to form (especially with McD).

Like always I doubt BT is done, and I’ll wait to see the sun if parts this offseason, but in isolation not loving this move.

I agree with the point that the possibility of Neal rebounding is higher than Lucic, however, Neal will be playing in Edmonton, one serious thought come to mind, who has ever rebounded playing in Edmonton? Also, Neal is so slow, he won't be able to catch up with McD.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You can only save 900K by putting a 1 way contract in the minors.

It's a little more than that now because the minimum salary has gone up, but it's still not a huge cap relief.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by GGG

This seems to be hung up in paperwork. I wonder if the permanent waiver of his no move clause is the hold up.

Puljujarvi ate it.

[PegCityFlamesFan]

I cant believe this is true, possibly one of the worst moves I've seen in a while.

[TheIronMaiden]

Any rumours on what the pick will be?

[Sylvanfan]

Oh no...this is like that fateful day when the Phaneuf trade went down, except that we made the Kotalik deal first...

Time to jump the Shark.

[DazzlinDino]

Not sure why we are helping the oilers out unless Neal asked for a trade.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I hope that you don't approach everything in your life like this, sincerely.

If so, I imagine you have quite an unhappy (or now destroyed) marriage, you probably are not very nice to your children, and I can't see how you would manage success at work.

The point of being a fan is to struggle and suffer with the team while they build up to the success. If you hop in after they've found the success, you have missed the most rewarding part of being a fan, and you won't taste the sweetness of victory in the same way. I ask you again, why are you here?

Really? Because I stop caring about a sports team suddenly my life is a wreck? Jesus what an insane post. My marriage is great and so are my kids, FYI. Actually I've put some of the time and energy I used to spend following hockey into my family, and it feels great

[activeStick]

Not sure if all the details are final but I think this is the first deal I can remember that I think Treliving has lost outright before any of the players get to play. Anything can happen once they start the season and chemistry is a funny thing, but as of today, for me, this is a loss for Treliving.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Maybe the pick is conditional on which fan base celebrates this trade harder.. cheer up, pals

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Any rumours on what the pick will be?

I’m just guessing 3rd or 4th

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The advanced and counting stats aren't actually that far apart for these two over the last two seasons.

If you look at the last two seasons at 5v5:

Counting Stats:

Neal:
GP: 134
G: 22
A: 20
P: 42
Shots: 264
Shooting Percentage: 8.33%
Hits: 88

Lucic:
GP: 161
G: 11
A: 28
P: 39
Shots: 185
Shooting Percentage: 5.95%
Hits: 492

That's actually way closer than I thought it would be. Neal the better goal scorer but not as good of a distributor, and doesn't play physical Anymore. Lucic's shot seems to have dissapeared but he can still hit.

Advanced Stats:

Neal:
CF%: 50.5%
CF%: -1.76%
HDCF%: 47.4%
GF%: 46.4%
xGF%: 48.1%
xGF% Rel: -4.69%
PDO: .992
Offensive Zone Start: 59.5%

Lucic
CF%: 50.9%
CF% Rel:2.09%
HDCF%: 50.8%
GF%: 47.1%
xGF%: 51.2%
XGF% Rel: 2.3%
PDO: .992
Offensive Zone Start: 49.8%

From an advanced stat perspective Lucic has actually been much better than Neal over the last two seasons. Better from a raw number perspective, better from a relative to teammates perspective, and did it with tougher zone starts.

https://twitter.com/ineffectivemath/...742078466?s=21

Further to this excellent post, here is a post with fun pictures from Oilers writer Blake McCurdy. It states and shows how Lucic drives play better than Neal.

So if the Oilers are regaining salary and the Flames are getting a draft pick, I’ll count myself among those who are reasonably happy with this deal. I’ll feel even better if something can be done about the NMC.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Really? Because I stop caring about a sports team suddenly my life is a wreck? Jesus what an insane post. My marriage is great and so are my kids, FYI. Actually I've put some of the time and energy I used to spend following hockey into my family, and it feels great

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Any rumours on what the pick will be?

Ya I think some are forgetting this, if it’s a higher pick this is easier to swallow


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