James Neal stole millions from the Flames owners and fans by not showing up at any point last year. He deserved to be booed perhaps more than any other player in the league.
Not to mention he was given every opportunity. James Neal decided not to show up and earn his way up the line up. Who can blame the coaches when they couldn't trust his 200 foot game in the top 6. Instead the Flames kept giving him opportunities all the way into the playoffs and he still didn't show up and come to bat for the team. He mailed it in, does he think the fans owe it to him because he deserves it? Good luck with that!
If anything, this Flames team is more likely united in their resolve after seeing Neal putting in his one dimensional efforts for the team up North.
I have never boo'd an ex-Flame, including a player like Phaneuf. I didn't feel like he did anything to justify it and I enjoyed his tenure with the Flames even though it was a little disappointing.
Tonight I will boo James Neal louder than the entire Pepsi Center was when he dogged it back in Overtime in game 4 and lost us the game.
An environment in which a person encounters only beliefs or opinions that coincide with their own, so that their existing views are reinforced and alternative ideas are not considered.
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You are completely missing the point here: AS A FANBASE, WE DON'T. When it happens tonight with Neal, you can use that fact as evidence that there is a damn good reason for it.
What did he do that other players haven't done on the Flames at some point? Suck? Dog it? Ask to play higher in the line up because he still believed he was a top 6 forward? Get down on himself which affected his performance. Yes he sucks i'm still not booing him. It's not going to help the Flames image with FA signings when the only notable one in recent history tells everyone he got treated like a bag of crap when he was struggling. He knows he sucked, we know he sucked. He is gone now that is good enough for me.
I dont want to give Edmonton any fuel to actually get up for this game either. the teams dont seem to hate each other as much as the fans do. Let Edmonton sleep walk through this one. I want the points. I dont want this to be another Doughty situation where what should be an easy game ends up being their Stanley Cup every time because we had to create drama.
What did he do that other players haven't done on the Flames at some point? Suck? Dog it? Ask to play higher in the line up because he still believed he was a top 6 forward? Get down on himself which affected his performance. Yes he sucks i'm still not booing him. It's not going to help the Flames image with FA signings when the only notable one in recent history tells everyone he got treated like a bag of crap when he was struggling. He knows he sucked, we know he sucked. He is gone now that is good enough for me.
I dont want to give Edmonton any fuel to actually get up for this game either. the teams dont seem to hate each other as much as the fans do. Let Edmonton sleep walk through this one. I want the points. I dont want this to be another Doughty situation where what should be an easy game ends up being their Stanley Cup every time because we had to create drama.
If a player won't sign in a city because the fans may boo him after he leaves town then you don't want him. He's fragile and can't handle the heat of a Canadian city. He will make minimal or even negative contributions towards a winning atmosphere.
If a player won't sign in a city because the fans may boo him after he leaves town then you don't want him. He's fragile and can't handle the heat of a Canadian city. He will make minimal or even negative contributions towards a winning atmosphere.
This is like saying company image means nothing when employees look for potential companies to work for. Its not the main factor but being known as a corporation of pricks would certainly be a negative bullet point for any company. I think the issue is some dont see hockey players as human beings they treat them like pieces on a board. They certainly do think about culture and fit and reputation when waiving a ntc or signing when they are weighing their options.
What did he do that other players haven't done on the Flames at some point? Suck? Dog it? Ask to play higher in the line up because he still believed he was a top 6 forward? Get down on himself which affected his performance. Yes he sucks i'm still not booing him. It's not going to help the Flames image with FA signings when the only notable one in recent history tells everyone he got treated like a bag of crap when he was struggling. He knows he sucked, we know he sucked. He is gone now that is good enough for me.
I dont want to give Edmonton any fuel to actually get up for this game either. the teams dont seem to hate each other as much as the fans do. Let Edmonton sleep walk through this one. I want the points. I dont want this to be another Doughty situation where what should be an easy game ends up being their Stanley Cup every time because we had to create drama.
This is an interesting debate you have got going. You know as well as anyone former players get booed all the time. It is an entertainment business and they do get paid big bucks. They get booed even while they are playing in their own building see the oilers who were booed off the ice and even had jerseys tossed.
It is your opinion and nothing wrong with that however you are not going to stop a bunch of fans if they decide to boo Neal, I am pretty sure they will feel it is justified! Your debate and POV are interesting in that it's likely going to happen regardless of how you might feel about it!
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This is an interesting debate you have got going. You know as well as anyone former players get booed all the time. It is an entertainment business and they do get paid big bucks. They get booed even while they are playing in their own building see the oilers who were booed off the ice and even had jerseys tossed.
It is your opinion and nothing wrong with that however you are not going to stop a bunch of fans if they decide to boo Neal, I am pretty sure they will feel it is justified! Your debate and POV are interesting in that it's likely going to happen regardless of how you might feel about it!
Of course but that doesn't mean I can't stand by my convictions either. No one is going to get me to boo Smith or Neal like I'm not going to get the average fan not to. No ones mind is getting changed today. Its just my opinion. That I can agree on.
What did he do that other players haven't done on the Flames at some point? Suck? Dog it? Ask to play higher in the line up because he still believed he was a top 6 forward? Get down on himself which affected his performance. Yes he sucks i'm still not booing him. It's not going to help the Flames image with FA signings when the only notable one in recent history tells everyone he got treated like a bag of crap when he was struggling. He knows he sucked, we know he sucked. He is gone now that is good enough for me.
I dont want to give Edmonton any fuel to actually get up for this game either. the teams dont seem to hate each other as much as the fans do. Let Edmonton sleep walk through this one. I want the points. I dont want this to be another Doughty situation where what should be an easy game ends up being their Stanley Cup every time because we had to create drama.
He reputedly was an off ice issue and it affected his on ice play. It wasn’t because he “got down on himself”.
