Ongoing thread for Neal/Lucic discussion

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Love

might be done following the team in any capacity. this franchise will never win in our lifetimes, hockey is a dying boomer sport and i didn't even care enough to tune in for any of the playoff games and that was probably the best the team will perform for the next 25 years because we know how it goes on around here.

godspeed guys. hope the lottery gods do you right next season.

Potluck at Hemi-Cuda's it is then. Have fun.

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by transplant99

No one should even hint that this is anything but a goddamn fiasco of a deal for the Flames.

Stunned is one word.

Slobberknockered is another.

BT is done.

A couple things here. Transplant I respect you as a long time poster here and I’m kinda surprised by this comment.

It’s a terrible for terrible contract. Flames aren’t thinking they come ahead on this at all- it’s just a classic change of scenery deal.

I said already but this deal is just seems worse because it’s a former oiler

The outrage over a possible lottery protection will more or less be nonexistent when the actual expansion draft comes around. You could almost put odds on it. Lucic will either be traded / victim to LTR / bought out by the time the draft happens. It seems fairly fruitless to rage about it at this point

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by AlmightyJay

Does any know the terms of the 3rd round pick yet?

Ya it sounds like if Neal scores 21 goals or more, and lucic has at least 10 less goals then him, we get a 3rd round pick

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

IMO signing Neal was the big mistake and this deal is just a symptom.




We get the pick if Neal scores 21 goals and Lucic scores 10 fewer, so basically we don't get the pick

This is how I see it as well, especially after what we went through with Brouwer. BT gambled again by giving Neal sizable contract with term. Both Brouwer and Neal handicapped team flexibility on the ice in terms of poor play while taking up a roster spot.

The fact that we had to trade Neal for Lucic speaks volumes about this being a mistake and a setback short and long term. BT had a player in mind in Brouwer and Neal but probably should have given those spots to a young guy who wants to earn a spot. Either go for an elite player or develop one and save cap space.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

It’s over reactions like this that just make this place so hard to stomach sometimes. I’ve already stated I don’t like the deal, but some friggin perspective is still needed. It’s two teams swapping two of their Free Agent frenzy mistakes of equal contract size essentially. We didn’t trade a core piece or a first round draft pick for Lucic, that would be a fiasco.

[bzoo02]

Originally Posted by stang

I’ve heard Lucic wasn’t the greatest in the room and Pulju and him didn’t get along the greatest.

Hard to get along with anyone when your team won't teach you english

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

It’s over reactions like this that just make this place so hard to stomach sometimes. I’ve already stated I don’t like the deal, but some friggin perspective is still needed. It’s two teams swapping two of their Free Agent frenzy mistakes of equal contract size essentially. We didn’t trade a core piece or a first round draft pick for Lucic, that would be a fiasco.

I think it's hilarious. It reminds me of that skit on SNL where the lady tries to always one up everyone.

"I'm never watching the Flames again after this trade."
"Oh yeah? Well I'm never watching any type of ice related sports ever again!"
"This is the darkest day in franchise history"
"No, this is the darkest day in the entire history of the NHL!"

Its amazing when you look at it through that lens.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by zamler

I gotta be honest, I don't believe you.

You underestimate how much I loathed Neal.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Parallex

This deal sucks... have to burn a expansion draft protection slot, take on a buyout proof contract for a measly 350K in cap savings and a highly conditional 3rd round pick. Blah.

VERY unlikely. I will bet any amount you want that the Flames don't have to use a protection slot on him.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by 868904

And then he got benched in the most important game of the season in favour of Austin Freaking Czarnik.

He was producing at an ok rate at that point. I didn't say he was a star.

Regular players get scratched sometimes. Especially on deep teams.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

This trade looks to me like the Flames wanted Neal off the roster no matter what. There must have been concerns in the room.

I think you’re right. Apparently this was found in Brad Treliving’s office today:

[Yrebmi]

This deal makes me wonder what James Neal did to anger Brad Treliving so much.
Cruel fate James.... shudder

Maybe Bennett negotiations are a little humbler now.

[PaperBagger'14]

It makes sense that Lucic fills a physical need the flames lack in, but they also lacked speed against Colorado.

This trade is disappointing because the best we could get for Neal is an insignificant cap savings and outside chance at an insignificant pick. This is all while taking back a terribly structured contract no one will touch.

I'm really hoping we get compliance buyouts next lockout.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I think you’re right. Apparently this was found in Brad Treliving’s office today:

Oooh, Jennifer Garner to the rescue!

[dustygoon]

“When asked told to say what characteristics he'll bring to the Scotiabank
Saddledome”

Nice PR spin Peter Hanlon

Give us a break.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

This deal makes me wonder what James Neal did to anger Brad Treliving so much.
Cruel fate James.... shudder

Have you seen him play?

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

It makes sense that Lucic fills a physical need the flames lack in, but they also lacked speed against Colorado.

I'd argue they lacked confidence, composure, and experience. The Flames are a fast team.

[TheRealPepman]

Love this move. Forget Kadri. Lucic is a Stanley Cup winner and doesn't do stupid sh*t constantly unlike Mr. "I-Have-Calgary-On-My-NMC".

[FiveSeven]

Well, I do acknowledge that it's more likely that Neal has a comeback. I think there is still a high possibility that Lucic isn't nearly as useless as portrayed by most. He was good the first season there. Since then they haven't been playing many meaningful games and I'm sure it's been hard to stay motivated. Plus he's been playing in Edmonton....We've seen the roster...He will join a more favorable situation. He changed up his whole offseason approach. He's 100x more physical than Neal, he's better analytically, he brings an element the Flames dearly needed while getting rid of the black hole. Essentially hitting two birds with one stone IMO.

The perspective of it being garbage for more 'fitting' garbage makes it a fine trade to me. Him being @ 5.25 and having them having Neal @ 6.5 makes me like it even more, slightly. If Neal couldn't play with Johnny who creates tons of time and space, how can he be expected to play with North-South McDavid? If he isn't on the first line then he will be with teammates worse then he was with here. I wouldn't be shocked if Lucic put up more points.

[SofaProfessor]

I think maybe the only positive part of this trade will be the attitude change. Both guys suck. Neal might get a stats bump playing next to McDavid if they go that route but you can say that about literally any person that owns a pair of skates. However, I never felt like people questioned Lucic's effort - he's just not good anymore. On the other hand, Neal lacked a whole lot of give a ####. At least it will be less frustrating to watch Lucic because you know he's trying his best instead of ####ing the dog every night because he's butthurt he doesn't get top line minutes.

I'm really grasping at straws here but whatever.