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

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

https://youtu.be/DOX5Az6bnPk
https://youtu.be/qtOi7ADlP44

Can't wait!!!!! Welcome James Neal!!!!!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hey Connor, It's Mess

Gaudreau and Monahan probably creamed their pants when they woke up this morning, I know I did.

Additionally, 5.75 million is going to be different in 4-5 years than 5.75 is today in terms of cap, so if we see a bit of a drop off I really don't think it's going to be a big deal. Love this signing. Can't remember ever being this excited for a Flames season in the summer.

A. Apt user name.

B. Who wears pants to bed?

[sa226]

For a line blender like Peters, the biggest thing I see is options.

Monahan and Gaudreau you know are joined at the hip. But after that, Lindholm can play center or wing and move up and down the lineup. Backlund is more of a 3rd line center, but give him elite wingers and he can hold that number 2 spot. Tkachuk can play in any situation. Frolik is now where he belongs in the bottom six with guys like Ryan, but both have the ability to move up the lineup when the inevitable injury bug hits.

All I see is a bunch of really good forwards that can move around the lineup and that is awesome.

[Monahammer]

I understand the trepidation, but I think it's time to split up 3m. Tkachuk can carry his own line, especially with good complimentary players (lindholm-bennett). We already know backlund will drag around whoever successfully and hope frolik can improve this season, give them Ryan who is defensively responsible.

[neo45]

I wouldn’t even bother posting lines. Peters is the biggest line juggler in the league.


I fully expect Jankowski to play all three positions on all four lines at some point this season.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by transplant99

So something like,

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm

Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal

Bennett - Ryan - Frolik

Lazar/Hathaway - Jankowski - Czarnik/Foo

I think that is doable....though i do wonder if it doesnt limit what Neal could do.

When you look at his deployment in both Vegas and Nashville it appears they had him on lines with two way players as well. I think what you have above may be the way they start the season.

Peters is situational as hell though ... adjustments to the game (winning/losing), and to who's on and who's off. So you will always see the load up if need be.

All three of those top lines have a player that drives play and helps avoid those 60 second own zone shifts.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

...you have to expect there will be some sort of overpayment in money and term so that was the price here.

I don't see a huge over payment. Especially as a no cost UFA. The no NmC is huge for the years down the road.

Neal is payed 400k more then Backlund for 1 year less term. Backlund little less then 2 years younger and has Ntc and modifed Ntc for the life of the 6 year deal. Backlund has to bounce back over a poor year last year to be sure on the offensive but certainly the defensive end, to be worth that $.

But back to Neal, for a legit top line big tough winger who is a goal scorer by trade, of that there in no question and that was the biggest need by far.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Dont think Jankowski is ready to center a 2nd line at this point, he sure wasn't at that point last season.

Well he was a rookie and he was playing with struggling offensive players at times last season. But yes they may make Backlunds line more offensive and ask less of Janko. I’m pretty torn on whether you give Janko some proven offensive players and really just roll your lines or whether you continue to shelter him.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Neal isn't a possession giant, so putting him with Monahan and Gaudreau will take some offensive zone start magic from Peters I think to stick.

May want to leave Lindholm there and have Neal play with Backlund.

Yeah, the backlund line needs a sniper more than the first line, in my eyes he takes frolik's spot. And allows them to use a bit better two way player in Frolik on the Janko line. Flames should be able to roll 4 lines with ease now.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Great writeup by Duha:

https://theathletic.com/417404/2018/...or-to-calgary/

OK now that Duha has weighed in on this...and to this kind of degree, Im stoked.

The man knows the game and moreso, knows the players in the game. If he says this is the right piece for Calgary, I dont think there is anyone else who I would believe more.

Management has to sell their signings, Duha does not.

Absolutely awesome to read that from him.

[handgroen]

this move also helps to define the team identity.
so i hope we're all ready for it, we are the weaselly team now.

you play the flames and you get a steady diet of either neal on the top line, or tkachuk on the backlund line. we have mike smith in goal mixing it up. we aren't going for team toughness anymore, we are going full agitator. and i for one am okay with that, as long as the flames have an identity. I think we are the POS calgary flames now, should be fun.

[sa226]

If the Oilers actually find a way to rid themselves of that boat anchor Lucic, then I'm not the least bit concerned about a restriction free Neal contract, if and maybe when he starts to decline and the Flames need to dump it.

Theres always a sucker.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by transplant99

OK now that Duha has weighed in on this...and to this kind of degree, Im stoked.

The man knows the game and moreso, knows the players in the game. If he says this is the right piece for Calgary, I dont think there is anyone else who I would believe more.

Management has to sell their signings, Duha does not.

Absolutely awesome to read that from him.

He is the writer I respect most. When he gets radio time or TV time, I listen to what he says. He is very insightful and everything he says or writes is very well thought out. He knows what he's talking about.

[sa226]

As a slight tangent. Recent article notwithstanding, Duha is one of the best. If he was in TV he would be just as famous and respected as Bob Mckenzie.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by handgroen

this move also helps to define the team identity.
so i hope we're all ready for it, we are the weaselly team now.

you play the flames and you get a steady diet of either neal on the top line, or tkachuk on the backlund line. we have mike smith in goal mixing it up. we aren't going for team toughness anymore, we are going full agitator. and i for one am okay with that, as long as the flames have an identity. I think we are the POS calgary flames now, should be fun.

I am more than OK with that.

Hopefully we are the most hated team in history by Christmas.

[calumniate]

So you mean there will be no more brouwerplay this season? Lol.

Also the management talk of trying Tkachuk on the right wing.. maybe not anymore!

[Ashasx]

I think this contract will be a problem in the last 2 seasons, but the compliance buyouts that will be granted after the next lockout will deal with that.

I can live with this, I just hope Neal doesn't continue to slide as he has been.

[sureLoss]

official

https://twitter.com/user/status/1013839343222325251

[JurassicTunga12]

Good ol' cortex.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think this contract will be a problem in the last 2 seasons, but the compliance buyouts that will be granted after the next lockout will deal with that.

I can live with this, I just hope Neal doesn't continue to slide as he has been.

Slide?

he had more goals and assists than he did the year previous...on a team that had never played together before.