Ongoing thread for Neal/Lucic discussion

[DazzlinDino]

I think we need to take this in stride. This is going to push guys up the lineup. I think BT still needs to look at what went wrong when he acquired Brower, and Neal. For the type of player he was looking for he probably should have went with someone who agreed to shorter-term. He could then see what type of player he was getting or if that player fit the chemistry of the team. Lucic on the 4th line won't sway the needle. Nothing to see here I think the Flames will be fine!

[dino7c]

Yeah the Flames aren't worse...Neal was useless last season

[simonsays]

I don't really like this. But if you saddle Jankowski with Lucic on the 4th line you've got a center who doesn't really know how to use his linemates with a guy who's probably not even in the zone yet. I just hope Lucic still has some quality board play left in him.



And maybe some truculence.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

It’s just odd to regularly visit someplace that you find annoying
I mean you do you but that’s weird

Perhaps it would help if the mods posted a scale of what level of hyperbole is acceptable on Calgarypuck.

[Saqe]

After a couple of beers this still makes no sense.

But at this point it's done. I just hope that even if Lucic has rock hands, can't skate and looks like a beer league guy out there he at least would bring effort. I couldn't stand watching Neal being a bum and not giving a ####.

[dammage79]

It is true. There's at least no illusion or disappointment from Lucic expecting to be top six in the lineup. He's 3rd or 4th LW. Neal was sold top line minutes, Lindholm found instant amazing chemistry with 13 and 23, and he wasn't really playing well enough to supplant Frolik who was struggling on the 2nd line either.

Neals mindset was poisoned from day #1 in china and had played far too much hockey in the previous 2 seasons to really go out and elevate his play.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by getoverit

Any quotes out there by Neal on his new team?

I'll bet he's excited to have guaranteed longer offseasons.

[MJK]

I am actually shocked people are still so upset about this. I found out from my best friend who is an Oilers fanatic and he hated it, and at that point it was 1 for 1. I responded saying I’d rather Neal but after learning about the retained salary and the pick I hated it less. Then I remembered the awkward exchange Neal and Peters had at practice during the playoffs. Then I checked Lucic stats on HockeyDB to remind me that he was a beast. Then I read how he chatted with some old/current Flames, specifically Iggy. Then I remembered outside of Tkachuk and sometimes Bennet this team lacked grit. I started liking the trade more.

Lucic as a Bruin was a beast. I think this team needs a player like him even if he is 1/3 of the guy he use to be. And that’s OK because we gave them a guy that did nothing except underperform and argue with coach. Neal has his chances and just didn’t deliver. The difference here is that Lucic doesn’t need to score to be very effective for the Flames.

I didn’t like it at first but I do now.

[2ArmBands]

We’ve had guys not waive their no move clauses to come here.

I know everyone is looking to get out of Edmonton but he waived to come here. He could of squashed the deal.... but he didn’t.

He wants to play here. Let’s move forward and support him!

[Flamescuprun2018]

Source: Capfriendly

CLAUSE DETAILS: June 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 - Modified NTC: Submits a list of 8 teams he can be traded to / July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 - Modified NTC: Submits a list of 10 teams he can be traded to

NTC do not need to be protected for expansion draft that will occur in June 2021. Just full NMCs.

Let's stop worrying about NMC when it comes.to protecting for expansion draft. Lucic is clearly a NTC at that time.

[Classic_Sniper]

As mad as I am about the NMC and buyout proof nature of the contract, after decompressing a bit and looking at it objectively, I don’t this trade is necessarily as bad as it initially seems.

I took the last 20+ minutes or so looking at some highlights of Lucic’s better games over this and last season and I’m actually sort of looking forward to seeing what Lucic can do in a Flames Jersey now or at the very least, I don’t hate this as much as I did 6 hours ago.


https://youtu.be/di7a1Y7HxK0

https://youtu.be/zlDfCy1QbTA


If you watch closely, Lucic is all over the highlights and it actually looks like he could provide the Flames with some much needed elements.

From what I saw, he’s not as slow as I thought, he has a heavy presence in front of the net, can create chaos, strong in corners and can protect the puck and make plays, hits hard on the forecheck to create turnovers, hockey iq isn’t bad, has decent vision and can make an outlet pass.

Coupled with the physicality and toughness and I don’t think I completely hate the player. Neal may or may not be able to find his scoring touch with McDavid, but I really think he’ll be better than what Neal would be in the same situations.


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[GirlySports]

If anything, Hamonic won't have to fight.

Lucic will be better in front of the net on the 2nd PP.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

Source: Capfriendly

CLAUSE DETAILS: June 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 - Modified NTC: Submits a list of 8 teams he can be traded to / July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 - Modified NTC: Submits a list of 10 teams he can be traded to

NTC do not need to be protected for expansion draft that will occur in June 2021. Just full NMCs.

Let's stop worrying about NMC when it comes.to protecting for expansion draft. Lucic is clearly a NTC at that time.

...... it clearly shows a comma and NMC in those seasons as well.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Lucic 7th in league in hits.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

As mad as I am about the NMC and buyout proof nature of the contract, after decompressing a bit and looking at it objectively, I don’t this trade is necessarily as bad as it initially seems.

I took the last 20+ minutes or so looking at some highlights of Lucic’s better games over this and last season and I’m actually sort of looking forward to seeing what Lucic can do in a Flames Jersey now or at the very least, I don’t hate this as much as I did 6 hours ago.


https://youtu.be/di7a1Y7HxK0

https://youtu.be/zlDfCy1QbTA


If you watch closely, Lucic is all over the highlights and it actually looks like he could provide the Flames with some much needed elements.

From what I saw, he’s not as slow as I thought, he has a heavy presence in front of the net, can create chaos, strong in corners and can protect the puck and make plays, hits hard on the forecheck to create turnovers, hockey iq isn’t bad, has decent vision and can make an outlet pass.

Coupled with the physicality and toughness and I don’t think I completely hate the player. Neal may or may not be able to find his scoring touch with McDavid, but I really think he’ll be better than what Neal would be in the same situations.


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I don’t know where Lucic was doing all those things (besides hitting) but it wasn’t with the oilers. He was easily the worst forward on the ice a lot of nights and that’s saying a lot seeing what the oilers ice for forwards.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Does that mean we don’t have to hear your hot Monahan takes anymore?

Thank you so much Miss Teeks for not quoting "Love
" and rendered my ignoring him useful.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I don’t know where Lucic was doing all those things (besides hitting) but it wasn’t with the oilers. He was easily the worst forward on the ice a lot of nights and that’s saying a lot seeing what the oilers ice for forwards.

Did you see Lucic in the Minnesota highlights? Guy was everywhere and making plays on top of it all. I never saw that kind of ability from Neal any point this season. He was a complete black hole offensively.

I wasn’t expecting much when I clicked on those highlights, but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at the little things he can do especially along the boards and around the net. The nifty plays and heaviness is something the Flames can use.

The Oilers may have ultimately misused him for the last 1.5 seasons I’m thinking. With a better supporting cast, maybe his career turns around like Justin Schultz.


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[zamler]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

I love this trade. I've never had a problem with Looch, and I really, really despised James Neal. He has such a smug, arrogant, punch-able face and he is terrible at the game of hockey.

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

[GGG]

I think this is poor asset management.

Both these players have little value so you could let them both sit.
So before the trade it was 5.75 million sitting in the press box now it’s 5.25 million. I suppose that could be a meaningful amount but I don’t think it’s worth the risk.

From a buyout perspective Neal would have a 2 mil cap hit for 8 years. Lucic has a 3.5-4.5 million cap hit for 4 years than 500k for the next. The flames current window is the next 2-3 years so if buyout is considered Neal was the better contract.

From an expansion draft standpoint it adds risk. I think their was a possibility of going 4-4-1 and giving up our 5th best forward to protect Kylington. Now that option is off the table unless Lucic were to waive. It is likely though that our 4th D will be better than our 7th best forward so the NMC likely has no affect but does reduce flexibility

So why do this?

I have seen the dressing room arguments but I think this comes down to the flames ownership being cheap. Calgary saves bout 7 million in real dollars over the course of the year. Same as when Kotilik was dumped.

I think if Neal was a problem a Neal buyout made more sense as a 3.5 million dollar player plus Neal’s dead cap number is better than Lucic for our Window.

[TheScorpion]

I just hope Lucic gives a care out there.

Does this trade make owning a Neal jersey cooler? ####