Let’s talk about Milan Lucic

[D as in David]

Sutter's utilization of him isn't helping.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Im ok with him as the 13th forward or when you want to goon it up and send a message. Beyond that, no dice.

I'd be ok with a one-year, league minimum deal if he's down for it. We can even keep it one-way if it means he's OK with playing for the Calgary Wranglers.

I agree with this 100% - would love him as the 13th forward, where he could play maybe 20-30 games, and continue to be a good locker room presence.

The problem is that Sutter will not leave in in the press box. As long as he is here, he is playing. And that is a problem, even at league minimum.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Guys...he's done. He seriously contemplated retirement a few seasons ago. It's not just his age, it's the mileage. He's played a ton of hockey and I'm sure he's just worn out at this point.

He's a family oriented guy, so I imagine he'll be happy to retire and spend time with them. I just don't see a way he's back with any team next year based on his desire and current abilities, especially not for league minimum type dollars.

Say thank you for his service and goodbye. It's just time. I'm surprised to see people wanting to use his roster spot even for league minimum money. It's not worth it.

[HighLifeMan]

He's a liability.

Five on five (rank among regular forwards on the team)

Last in GF% at 41.07% (outscored 23-33)
Last in CF% at 53.27%
Last in SF% at 51.99%
Last in xGF% at 48.51%
Last in SCF% at 47.34%
Last in HDGF% at 34.67%
Last in CF/60 at 61.69/60
Last in CA/60 at 54.12/60
Last in SF/60 at 31.32/60
Last in SA/60 at 28.93/60
Last in Goals/60 at 0.48
Last in Assists/60 at 0.67
Last in Points/60 at 1.15

2nd last in shots/60 at 5.17
2nd last in HDCF% at 45.98%
2nd last in GF/60 at 2.2
2nd last in GA/60 at 3.16
2nd most sheltered Ozone starts at 64.38%
2nd last in penalties drawn per 60 at 0.38
3rd in minor penalties taken per 60 at 1.05
3rd in Giveaways/60 at 2.01

Despite all of this he plays just a minute less per night than the likes of Toffoli, Lindholm, Dube, and Pelletier at five on five, and well over a minute more than Ruzicka.

After 16 seasons of absolute wear and tear on his body he appears to be done. He had a hell of a run but he can no longer help a team win with his on ice abilities.

Everyone can see it but Sutter.

[Wastedyouth]

Lucic playing almost as many minutes as the top 6 forwards at even strength is absolutely something that is wrong with this team.

[ComixZone]

My hope is that as of March 3rd, 2023 we no longer have to talk about Milan Lucic. Failing that, July 1st, 2023 would also work.

Tree and Looch made the best of their bad situations (signing James Neal, signing in Edmonton), but Lucic at his salary was never going to be a good value proposition. I'm disappointed to see the intangibles of his game result in what it has (nothing), but the trade was still brilliant just to get rid of Neal...but yeah, this team and this player should be moving on from each other as soon as possible.

[Psytic]

Hes a warrior and great team guy by all accounts. I just don't like Sutter's utilization of him. If he could rotate in from popcorn row now and again I think he would still be great at league minimum.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

My hope is that as of March 3rd, 2023 we no longer have to talk about Milan Lucic. Failing that, July 1st, 2023 would also work.

Tree and Looch made the best of their bad situations (signing James Neal, signing in Edmonton), but Lucic at his salary was never going to be a good value proposition. I'm disappointed to see the intangibles of his game result in what it has (nothing), but the trade was still brilliant just to get rid of Neal...but yeah, this team and this player should be moving on from each other as soon as possible.

I am just glad that the whole situation didn't result in a buyout. The only thing worse than having to take on either cap hit, would be to extend it past this season. Dead cap really sucks.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

He had a bit of jump earlier in the season, and you can still see that occasionally(especially after a benching), but he is done. He can't be trusted to chip it out of his own zone anymore, let alone carry it or make the simple pass.

I could see one more year of Lewis (but wouldn't be very excited about it).Even Ritchie, maybe. Lucic should retire, or give it a go as a UFA (most likely PTO somewhere).

[Classic_Sniper]

Heard on the radio a week or 2 ago that there are allegedly quite a few teams that would be interested in signing him for next season. They didn't specify if this includes the Flames or not.

For me, I think there's a lot of limitations in his game especially in today's NHL where the pace of play is at an all time high. I think he needs specific types of line mates and specific circumstances at this point in his career in order to thrive.

I think he can still be a very effective player in the playoffs where the game slows down and physicality is paramount. But for a team like the Flames who are on the bubble and haven't gotten enough scoring from their top 6, I don't know if Lucic is productive enough for the type of 4th line the Flames need right now. If we had another Mangiapane-Ryan-Hathaway, I think this team would be in a lot better position right now.

[CroFlames]

If Flames rebuild, they should sign him to teach young kids how to be NHLers.

If they chase playoffs, they should get rid of him ASAP. He doesn't belong on a playoff roster.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I personally think he signs in Boston.

Or maybe perhaps we’re shipping him to Boston for their cup run.

I don’t see him back here. Too slow, he doesn’t fight anymore, just a liability on the ice. If he does re-sign with us I echo the “league minimum” statements already said here, and he better be our 13th/14th forward.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Hes a warrior and great team guy by all accounts. I just don't like Sutter's utilization of him. If he could rotate in from popcorn row now and again I think he would still be great at league minimum.

Last night would have been a perfect opportunity to rest him and have Ruzicka replace him.

I'm seriously baffled by a lot of Sutter's work this season.

[fatso]

we are in a dogfight with the Wild for a wildcard spot. We still play them twice. Playoff qualification (and our subseuqent roll) will come down to Lucic demolishing Reeves one, if not both, of those games. Book it.

[taxbuster]

He makes an occasional good defensive play, breaks up a rush or bears down fearsomely on some oppo D trying to ferret out the puck from behind the goal. On ice, that's about it.

May be a great guy in the room, full of leadership and whatever...but if he can't bring it to the ice...it doesn't matter. Like him as a human...don't want him as a player. A young guy is faster and can do almost as well, even if he doesn't have the size and quite the puck protection qualities.

Overused, overpaid and overprotected.

[Macho0978]

Watching Pelletier and Duehr play the last few games, the Flames need to find spots for these guys. If we have a 4th line vet, prefer it to be a center with 2 young wingers.

Trouba and Blais were killing us and Lucic was just too slow to hit their guys.

Most teams in the league now don't even have a tough guy. Our division really has no goons. Only tough guys are good players these days.

IMO having guys who can lay big hits is more valuable than the fighting. He's a 13th forward at best and Ritchie can do what he does at league min.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Should be regularly sat. He's on his way out

[Leeman4Gilmour]

I love Lucic, but Duehr-Lewis-Ritchie as a 4th line would be more effective. It would be great if Ruzicka was more consistent, but Ritchie is the best option on that line imo.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I personally think he signs in Boston.

Or maybe perhaps we’re shipping him to Boston for their cup run.

I don’t see him back here. Too slow, he doesn’t fight anymore, just a liability on the ice. If he does re-sign with us I echo the “league minimum” statements already said here, and he better be our 13th/14th forward.

I'll gladly ship him to Boston for a future consideration, I'll even cheer for him there to win another cup unless they are playing the Flames in the Final.

[Geeoff]

I could see him staying with the team and moving to an off-ice position