[Signing] Flames sign James Neal (5 years, 5.75 AAV)

[4X4]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Also mentions that he’s looking forward to playing under Peters; thinks it will be a good fit.

That's what we need on our team, a coach that's going to push that team and make us better each day

[Braden]

Neal at a charity tournament in Halifax rocking flames colors (pants, socks and lid). Having issues embedding the photo maybe someone can assist with that.
Posted by Wildest12 on reddit
https://ibb.co/fqXkoo

[djsFlames]

Much of the anticipation for this upcoming season is in seeing just how deadly that top line is going to be with a healthy Monahan and Neal getting teed up by Gaudreau every night. There may very well be strong bids for trophies between those three if it indeed comes together how we believe it can.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by 4X4

That's what we need on our team, a coach that's going to push that team and make us better each day

Or at least one that knows what time the game starts.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Braden

Neal at a charity tournament in Halifax rocking flames colors (pants, socks and lid). Having issues embedding the photo maybe someone can assist with that.
Posted by Wildest12 on reddit
https://ibb.co/fqXkoo

Right click the image and "view image" to get the link.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Much of the anticipation for this upcoming season is in seeing just how deadly that top line is going to be with a healthy Monahan and Neal getting teed up by Gaudreau every night. There may very well be strong bids for trophies between those three if it indeed comes together how we believe it can.

Except that it sounds like the coach actually has the following lines pencilled in

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal

Both lines could be deadly

[ThePrince]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Except that it sounds like the coach actually has the following lines pencilled in

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal

Both lines could be deadly

From what I've read of Peters, sounds like his lines are more fluid and change A LOT. I don't usually pay too much attention to pre-season line combinations, especially with new players in the lineup. You never really know who will click with who until they're out there.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Except that it sounds like the coach actually has the following lines pencilled in

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal

Both lines could be deadly

Originally Posted by ThePrince

From what I've read of Peters, sounds like his lines are more fluid and change A LOT. I don't usually pay too much attention to pre-season line combinations, especially with new players in the lineup. You never really know who will click with who until they're out there.

Even if Gaudreau and Monahan end up lining up with Lindholm at ES, and Neal is slotted on the second line (which I think is an excellent idea, and what is probable to happen), Neal will still likely get #1 PP time with Gaudreau and Monahan which is certain to produce at a high rate.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Yeah, maybe a bit of a difference with Giordano, Hanifin and Brodie as options, but Peters nearly exclusively played 4 forwards on the PP. Also didn't mind making it pretty top heavy with Aho, Teravainen, Staal and Lindholm with a lot of left shooters. Although they had Faulk with the right-handed shot to sort of balance out the left shots, something Flames are lacking from the defense.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Except that it sounds like the coach actually has the following lines pencilled in

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal

Both lines could be deadly

It is funny to think about how there was such a divide and as well as desire amongst fans to pick Monahan or Lindholm at #6. And now they could be skating on the same line for the Flames.

Whichever combination clicks is the one we'll see most. My hunch is that's Neal in the long run up top, even if they start with Lindholm. Two snipers with one elite playmaker makes a lot of sense. Especially with Neal's quick release that could bury a lot of Johnny's stealthy set ups.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

...My hunch is that's Neal in the long run up top, even if they start with Lindholm. Two snipers with one elite playmaker makes a lot of sense.

People ignore how good Gaudreau is at scoring goals, and they also forget how effective that line was the first year with another great playmaker on the other wing. I still think that with Lindholm on the top line they could score 100 goals.

[PugnaciousIntern]

I haven't seen Neal nor Lindholm play enough to know exactly how effective they are defensively. While Lindholm seems to be known for his defensive abilities, Neal's superficial advanced stats seem to suggest he's no slouch either. I think the most effective right winger on that top line will be the one who can effectively get the puck back. Luckily, both Lindholm and Neal are reasonable players to do that, however I think Neal would compliment the 2nd line much better than the 1st, therefore if Lindholm plays well defensively, he's going to settle in on the top line.

[Mattman]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal

That's almost like having two 1st lines. I like it.

[djsFlames]

It's a legitimate top 6, which is more than we can say for the groups of players we've had occupying those spots in recent years.

[blankall]

Is Frolik good to go for the start of the season?

Does that make line 3:

Bennett-Jankowski-Frolik?

Line 4:

Brouwer-Ryan-Czarnik?

Extra: Foo/Lazar/Hathaway

[Oling_Roachinen]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Ryan-Neal
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Brouwer-Jankowski-Czarnik

I really don't think they brought in Ryan to be a fourth liner to start the season. He was a Peters favourite and he was given ample offensive opportunities. Including gluing him to young sniper Jeff Skinner's side and veteran goal scorer Justin Williams. That's not unlike Tkachuk and Neal really.

Backlund-Frolik have been a decent duo at shutting down the opposition. Bennett's only good season came playing with them. Reform the trio and give them the defensive responsibilities. Consider this the 2A or 2B, the defensive ying to the offensive yang of the Ryan line.

Jankowski's the odd man out to start the season, if Ryan isn't up to the task or Bennett continues to struggle he gets their spot. And any injury to the top 9.

Also going to be a lot of shuffling anyways. Either way, feels like the Flames have 10 players that they want to give top 9 minutes, with Cznarik and others fighting for an opportunity.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by blankall

Is Frolik good to go for the start of the season?

Does that make line 3:

Bennett-Jankowski-Frolik?

Line 4:

Brouwer-Ryan-Czarnik?

Extra: Foo/Lazar/Hathaway

I prefer switching Frolik and Czarnik...

Bennett - Jankowski - Czarnik (2nd scoring line)
Frolik - Ryan - Brouwer/Lazar (2nd 2-way line)

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I prefer switching Frolik and Czarnik...

Bennett - Jankowski - Czarnik (2nd scoring line)
Frolik - Ryan - Brouwer/Lazar (2nd 2-way line)

I can't see dropping Frolik that far down the lineup in favour of an unproven guy like Czarnik. Plus, I think Bennett and Jankowski need his stabilizing influence.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I can't see dropping Frolik that far down the lineup in favour of an unproven guy like Czarnik. Plus, I think Bennett and Jankowski need his stabilizing influence.

Ultimately those 3rd and 4th lines could be A/B depending on how you look at it. Based on the left shot right shot mix there I wonder if Bennett and Jankowski get split up this year?

Bennett-Ryan-Czarnik
Frolik-Jankowski-Brouwer/Lazar

[SeanCharles]

Brouwer should be off the team, Lazar and Hathaway should be the 13th & 14th forwards, and one of Dube, Mangiapane or Foo should make the team.

That's what I hope to see for the start of the regular season.