Lucic considered quitting in November

[Robbob]

I think you can ask any Oiler fan and they will tell you the shine has come off Neal after that October. His only value right now is being injured so they can recoup some of that cap space.

[TheIronMaiden]

There is no doubt that the Oilers won the trade player for player. Still I think that Lucic is an improvement on 'Last year Neal' in just about everyway. Both teams got better, however, I think the Oilers got better in a more tangible way, for now. It is difficult to project how good thing deal will look in 3 years.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

There is no doubt that the Oilers won the trade player for player. Still I think that Lucic is an improvement on 'Last year Neal' in just about everyway. Both teams got better, however, I think the Oilers got better in a more tangible way, for now. It is difficult to project how good thing deal will look in 3 years.

I disagree on the first sentence. I definitely agree on the last one.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

There is no doubt that the Oilers won the trade player for player. Still I think that Lucic is an improvement on 'Last year Neal' in just about everyway. Both teams got better, however, I think the Oilers got better in a more tangible way, for now. It is difficult to project how good thing deal will look in 3 years.

I don't think this has anything at all to do with James Neal. The biggest improvement to the Oilers by far was the addition of Dave Tippett behind the bench. They are playing a structured game for the first time since Todd McLellan had them buying in in 2016. The question is how long it will last, though. I am betting that old habits will creep back in with that group by next season, and they will be wallowing in the League basement once again.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I don't think this has anything at all to do with James Neal. The biggest improvement to the Oilers by far was the addition of Dave Tippett behind the bench. They are playing a structured game for the first time since Todd McLellan had them buying in in 2016. The question is how long it will last, though. I am betting that old habits will creep back in with that group by next season, and they will be wallowing in the League basement once again.

As usual with them, it comes down to goaltending. Smith hasn't been terrible and Koskinen has been better than last year. The last time they made the POs it was because Talbot was great.