[Rumour] NHL plans to allow arguments to be heard on conds of Lucic/Neal trade (arbitration?)

[sureLoss]

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
There is a whole slew of stats pro-ration rules in MOU as they relate to player bonuses.

I'm told no decision has been made on how #Flames / #Oilers condition in Lucic / Neal trade will be handled. #NHL plans to develop process for clubs to make arguments and be heard fairly.

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
That process (arbitration process?) will obviously be attached to conditions in trades that may have been affected by COVID-19 pause and aren't resolved in the MOU.

[TheScorpion]

Not surprised. I still think a compensatory pick will arise out of this.

[djsFlames]

Only makes sense to go by Neal's projected goal total, right?

[Jacks]

The arbitrator should upgrade the pick to a 2nd. E=NG and Neal = NG, it was a match made in heaven.

[getbak]

They should make the players sit in on the sessions.

Make Neal sit there while Holland argues that all of his goals were flukes where he just let McDavid and Draisaitl bounce the puck off him and there's no way he possibly could have scored 2 goals in 11 games because of how bad he is.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Only makes sense to go by Neal's projected goal total, right?

To me it does but none of us are bipartisan on here. Arguments can be made from the legal wording of the contract, but these are unprecedented circumstances circumstances. If they are basing player bonuses on pro-rated projected totals I can see our case following suit.

Hopefully we meet in the second round of the playoffs and the league just decides whoever wins the series wins the conditions.

[Textcritic]

So, how do the Oilers go about presenting this argument? ...

"Yes, James Neal scored 19 goals, but look at him. No one in their right mind believes he could bang in two more—he's just about the most useless player on Edmonton's roster, and that's saying something."

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[SportsJunky]

I’m really surprised at this. I figured all bets would be off because of Covid. You win some, you lose some kind of thing.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by getbak

They should make the players sit in on the sessions.

Make Neal sit there while Holland argues that all of his goals were flukes where he just let McDavid and Draisaitl bounce the puck off him and there's no way he possibly could have scored 2 goals in 11 games because of how bad he is.

Honestly if they filmed that for us to watch as well, I think we would all feel that was more than enough compensation.

[PepsiFree]

Yeah, I would happily not have the pick if it meant watching the Oilers have to praise Lucic and discredit Neal. Sure, a chance at a decent future player tomorrow would be nice. But you can't put a price on my entertainment today.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Seems like this paves the way for the Oilers to keep their picks and the Flames to get an extra pick.

[Geeoff]

I'm glad there's still a chance we get this pick, even though if I'm honest, I don't think we would've gotten this pick if 82 games were played.


-I'm not sure Neal would've hit 21
-When play stopped, Lucic was being used on the power play and Neal was not. I think Lucic would've closed the gap to less than 10.

[FlamesAddiction]

They probably settle on a 4th or something.

[3thirty]

Flames get a 3rd at the end of the round, Edmonton keeps their 3rd is my best guess.

[albertGQ]

If Flames get a compensatory pick, the oilers should have to lose a pick too. A fourth maybe?

[PugnaciousIntern]

I’m hopeful that the Flames still get something but not expecting it. Though in the spirit of the deal it was made over an 82 game season, this will likely come down to how the text was worded in the trade conditions. If it simply said something about absolute goal counts in the season, Edmonton may have an argument. Neal didn’t HAVE to play 82 games; if he was injured for most of the season, or so bad that he was sent down to the minors, the condition wouldn’t be met, there same as if he were to have played all 82 games but not scored enough.

Edmonton’s argument likely won’t be that he wouldn’t have potted the extra two goals. It will be that they promised to give the pick if he reached a certain goal count during the season, and he did not, whether it was due to injury, suckage, or COVID.

Edit: another possible Edmonton argument: Lucic was really heating up and about to go on a heater to finish the season!!

[TheScorpion]

This season is unique with its own defining context. This is the first season since 1919 to not last for its full expected duration. Performance-determined bonuses and conditions should be altered to reflect that.

[N-E-B]

So, they’re going to pro-rate points for teams and pro-rate performance bonuses but they are struggling with this?

Seems to me the precedent has been set. Hand it over Edmonton.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Seems like this paves the way for the Oilers to keep their picks and the Flames to get an extra pick.

That would be a really interesting outcome. Wouldn't surprise me at this point.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Seems like this paves the way for the Oilers to keep their picks and the Flames to get an extra pick.

Agreed...and that pick should directly precede the Oilers pick.