Is anyone talking about Lucic in here?

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Best goal celebration in the game

[PepsiFree]

I think his contract is always going to colour perceptions. At $2M he’s everyone’s favourite player, no doubt in my mind, so you just have to take the salary out of the evaluation and look at the player. In my mind, he’s someone you’re proud to see throw on a Flames jersey for both his play on the ice and conduct off of it. Can’t ask for more than that.

[Heavy Jack]

I’m pretty sure I cheer the loudest when Looch scores because I know Edmonton is paying him to do that for us. It’s a pretty sweet feeling!

Lucic brings so much to this team and has proven that we’ve won that trade by a wide margin time and again. So happy he’s a Flame.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think his contract is always going to colour perceptions. At $2M he’s everyone’s favourite player, no doubt in my mind, so you just have to take the salary out of the evaluation and look at the player. In my mind, he’s someone you’re proud to see throw on a Flames jersey for both his play on the ice and conduct off of it. Can’t ask for more than that.

Honestly I think he'd fall into salary cap oblivion at $3.5M. With the Oilers helping out (Thanks!) he's really only $1.5M into "that's unfortunate" territory.

Still wonder if he hangs them up after his bonus in July.

And something I didn't expect I'd think when the trade happened ... I'm kind of hoping he doesn't.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by memphusk

What song do the play in the Saddledome when he scores?

Per this article from Ryan Dittrick:

Just listen to what the crowd to say on Saturday, with the always popular, bass-rumbling Loooooooch ringing out constantly at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Between that and the epic AC Milan theme song playing over the loudspeaker when he tickles the twine, it's a real party atmosphere in the old barn these days.

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/you-...ve/c-327724346

[Erick Estrada]

Sometimes it's about the right fit with players and teams. James Neal was a bad fit with the Flames. It seems Lucic is a lot more comfortable in Calgary and playing with the Flames than he was with the Oilers. He's been a lot better than I imagined he would be.

[Classic_Sniper]

Been a fan of Lucic ever since I watched a couple of his old games and isolated his play. Love the subtle plays along the board, love his presence in front of the net, he can absorb contact and makes a good outlet pass, his cycle game is strong and he still forces defensemen to rush plays when they hear his footsteps.

But I have to say, based on this season, really loving his five hole goals. He doesn't have a rocket of a shot, so he relies on a quicker release. I hope he can continue to produce though as it's been a pleasant surprise. Still hate his contract beyond words, but good player, good guy.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That's probably a bit of an indictment on the play of Backlund and Monahan. Sutter isn't playing Coleman enough but the team is winning so not much of a big deal although I imagine he may have expected to get more of an opportunity to play when he signed with the Flames.

fresh 6 year contract at heavy dollars, not sure he cares so much about playing time + opportunity in year 1. Especially since he just had 2 very extended seasons back to back. Good idea to take him easy during the season.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Honestly I think he'd fall into salary cap oblivion at $3.5M. With the Oilers helping out (Thanks!) he's really only $1.5M into "that's unfortunate" territory.

Still wonder if he hangs them up after his bonus in July.

And something I didn't expect I'd think when the trade happened ... I'm kind of hoping he doesn't.

Could he really collect his bonus in July and then not play and keep that part of his 2021 -2022 salary? That just doesn't sound right to me? IIRC, the bonus is considered part of your compensation, just paid upfront. It relates to the 2021-2022 season.

And Lucic looks like he's having way to much fun to hang it up.

[GranteedEV]

Who wants some statz

96 Most Productive 5v5 Forwards (Last year + this year)

Spoiler!

278 forwards logged 600 minutes over that span, for the record - so just a shade under 9 per team on average.

Backlund is just missing that top 96 cutoff (he ranked 103rd - but you could probably squeeze him in if you made the icetime cutoff 700 minutes).

[activeStick]

I know it pisses many people off here that Looch isn't as willing to drop his mitts against the Oilers as he is with other teams, but he built a lot of close relationships with the guys up there, and I think is still very good friends with most of them.

[TherapyforGlencross]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I know it pisses many people off here that Looch isn't as willing to drop his mitts against the Oilers as he is with other teams, but he built a lot of close relationships with the guys up there, and I think is still very good friends with most of them.

Yeah, can’t say that’s really high on my GAF meter. Lucic must realize the rivalry.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Is it just me or has he gotten faster this year?

The whole team is making decisions faster so that might be part of it too. You don't have to be a fast skater to play fast.

[blankall]

2nd on the team in hits...would be #1 if Sutter hadn't acquired so many heavy hitters. Lewis is #1. Coleman, Pittlick, and Gudbranson are #3-5....Man this team has gotten harder to play against.

Back to Lucic, he's getting dangerously close to actually being worth his contract. If he can get to the 40+ point range, he's making an argument.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

What amazes me about Lucic is how good of a passer he is. Always tape to tape.

It's just a question of whose tape.

[Coach]

I predicted a big bounce back for him last year with 40pts (forgetting the season was shortened). But he did have .5 PPG, probably netting him close to 40 or more if it was a full season. Looking like a similar pace here.

I’ve always liked the Neal/Lucic swap and thought Lucic brought a dynamic (scaring/pushing people off the puck) that Neal never would have in a million years. I really think the Oilers environment of entitlement is toxic and Lucic sunk there because he came from full team effort teams in Boston and LA. He seems to have been having fun again since arriving here. I think landing in a place with a person like Gio at the helm of the leadership group took a lot of pressure off him to be that guy.

Glad to see him doing well. Would love to see him bring the nasty against the Oilers

[Johnny Makarov]

Don't forget Lucic gets a life time "pass" from Flames fans for beating the Canucks in the finals. Actually all hockey fans should give him a pass.

and to get him for that diving piece of crap, Neal? Treliving's best trade. Better than Lindholm/Hanifin.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Don't forget Lucic gets a life time "pass" from Flames fans for beating the Canucks in the finals. Actually all hockey fans should give him a pass.

Agreed.

Both Tim Thomas and Brad Marchand also receive this pass.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Coach

I predicted a big bounce back for him last year with 40pts (forgetting the season was shortened). But he did have .5 PPG, probably netting him close to 40 or more if it was a full season. Looking like a similar pace here.

I’ve always liked the Neal/Lucic swap and thought Lucic brought a dynamic (scaring/pushing people off the puck) that Neal never would have in a million years. I really think the Oilers environment of entitlement is toxic and Lucic sunk there because he came from full team effort teams in Boston and LA. He seems to have been having fun again since arriving here. I think landing in a place with a person like Gio at the helm of the leadership group took a lot of pressure off him to be that guy.

Glad to see him doing well. Would love to see him bring the nasty against the Oilers

I predicted a bounce back from him last year as well. He was one of the best players down the stretch and in the playoffs the year before. He seemed to get really comfortable. I would also call last season successful for him. He played his role perfectly. It's nice to see him carrying that over to this season so far.

[GioforPM]

He’s one of the few guys last year who would pick his game up when they were behind.