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

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Underdog

I'd like to see them try Neal on the wing with Lindholm at Centre. Gives him that elite playmaker and Elias can still play D to make up for Neal's lack of it. Sure we'd be breaking up the top line, but we need to get him going one way or the other since he's here to stay. This would have the added benefit of moving Backlund down to a true shut-down 3rd line role.

God no.

[Always Earned Never Given]

Originally Posted by Phagoof

This. The Flames are an odd man rush transition team, by the time he get's in the other zone, the team already had the scoring chance.

So how the hell did he score 25 last year for Vegas when that team was known for its fast transitions?

I took a peak at some of the goals he scored and none of them were off the rush! (Around 12 goals). Most of them were in the circles or below. Broken plays, tips, stationary cross seam passes as he was in the right spots to convert.

So far, I haven't seen him much in those areas. Seems to be floating in the perimeters with his stick way up in the air!,instead of around the net hacking at loose pucks.

Hopefully during the holidays, he gets a nice DVD compilation of his goals courtesy of AC so he can watch, learn from and put it to use in the 2nd half of the season!

[GioforPM]

For some reason I recall Neal getting way more wide open looks in Vegas. Here he seems to be in the midstl of legs and sticks and thus getting deflected a lot.

Now, I mainly saw Neal/Vegas replays. Perhaps if I watched all the games I'd see him doing much the same as here but getting open on occasion and burying his chances.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

I love much about Peters but Ryan on the PP is a mystery.

If nobody else can win draws, ok, but guys can. Frankly even if you lose a draw the other team dumps it and you recover the puck within 15 seconds.

So if you weigh the extra 5 percent of draws Ryan may win, offset by his dearth of offense, there is no reasonable justification for having him on the PP

I’m not saying Ryan should be off unit - if he’s effective at draws to gain possession- just Neal should be on right flank.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Underdog

I'd like to see them try Neal on the wing with Lindholm at Centre. Gives him that elite playmaker and Elias can still play D to make up for Neal's lack of it. Sure we'd be breaking up the top line, but we need to get him going one way or the other since he's here to stay. This would have the added benefit of moving Backlund down to a true shut-down 3rd line role.

Guess Coach Peters thought this was a good idea too, and this line got them the game winner today.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Guess Coach Peters thought this was a good idea too, and this line got them the game winner today.

Neal played much better for sure. I worry how the top line will do without Lindholm.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Neal played much better for sure. I worry how the top line will do without Lindholm.

Same. I'm sure Tre sees this. If the Flames can land a second line C I'm ready to say this team is elite.

[Hackey]

The top line is better with Lindholm for sure but they have been fine without him in the past. I do think a legit second line center would really do wonders for the team though. Maybe Neal should be tried at center after that beauty pass on the game winner today.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Neal played much better for sure. I worry how the top line will do without Lindholm.

Do you think Lindholm drives that line and not Johnny?

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Buff

Do you think Lindholm drives that line and not Johnny?

Do you think Sam Bennett is a good first line driver?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Buff

Do you think Lindholm drives that line and not Johnny?

Lindholm is the defensive conscience of that line. Not much good scoring 80 goals as a line if you give up 90.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Hackey

The top line is better with Lindholm for sure but they have been fine without him in the past. I do think a legit second line center would really do wonders for the team though. Maybe Neal should be tried at center after that beauty pass on the game winner today.

Can't tell if serious, but the pass bounced off a skate of a Wild player. Neal is not a center though and not sure why we would play him at center when we already have at least two natural center's playing on the wing already, not sure we need to move another center to the wing.

Once Backlund is back I would hope that Lindholm is back on the top line. The top line always looks significantly worse without him on it.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Neal played much better for sure. I worry how the top line will do without Lindholm.

This was a one-off. I have no doubt that Lindholm will be back on the top line tomorrow.

But the takeaway in this is the option: Lidholm can get a line going if needed, and I am sure we will see him centring his own again.


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[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by CanadaMatt

David Jones = Troy Brouwer = James Neal

Is it safe to say we’re done recruiting slow lumbering power forwards on excessive salaries?

If there’s a market for James Neal at the deadline, I’d be tempted to part ways just to get the cap off the books.

There is zero market, at the deadline or anytime, for players who have been unproductive with massive term left.

But there is still plenty of time for Neal to turn things around.

If his contract was expiring, that would be another thing.


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[Jeff Lebowski]

Has anyone given Neal some purple Gatorade?

[oldschoolcalgary]

i know someone mentioned that the stick Neal used previously is no longer being made...definitely seemed to fumble the puck a bit during the game, even when backlund was trying to set him up on the PP...

old james neal would have wired a one timer from the slot... seemed to me that Neal's release is definitely off...

not sure what the solution is, but having him sit out a few games should definitely be considered.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Has anyone given Neal some purple Gatorade?

Purple Gatorade is for closers.

[Hackey]

Plugs drink the yellow Gatorade.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Plugs drink the yellow Gatorade.

Don't worry, it's lemon.

[SmoggyFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Purple Gatorade is for closers.

Maybe some purple Gatorade could give him magical closing abilities.