Ongoing thread for Neal/Lucic discussion

[Robo]

Originally Posted by colbym72

That was a great 3rd period by Lucic. The first assist is exactly the role he needs to play with the hit setting up a goal

He was also huge on that 2nd goal his line scored

[Matt Reeeeead]

Originally Posted by Bingo

It's not mental gymnastics to point out a super high shooting percentage or a team on a PDO bender with terrible underlying stats.

It's barely a mental somersault to be honest. And it certainly isn't embarrassing.

Basically its the same thing I was saying about the Buffalo Sabres last year after their hot start, which created a lot of people pissed at me if I remember correctly.

Its actually mental gymnastics to try and credit Neal for an all world performance by the best player in hockey, and a top 10 player in hockey. Seems pretty clear to me who to assign value to for James Neal's production.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by crapshoot

The line of Lucic-Ryan-Bennett was really good tonight, albeit against a pretty bad team. Lucic and Bennett seems to have some pretty good chemistry going early on, and if they can keep clicking it could be a really good line over the course of the season. Lucic seems to be building off having quality linemates and he really looked like he was feeling it tonight. So far Lucic is pretty much what I was hoping he would be, he is not gonna move the needle too far in determining the Flames success this year, but he actually looks pretty good out there and he finds ways to contribute on pretty much a nightly basis.

As far as comparisons go, James Neal didn't have one single game as a Flame where he even looked remotely as engaged or where he influenced the outcome of a game in the way Lucic did tonight.

this is where I disagree. Last night showed exactly what he can add to this team - playing 'heavy'. And it is exactly what they need more of from their bottom 6.

The Flames have a great transition game. They can generate offense in waves. And last year, guys like Ryan and Mangiapane showed that the bottom 6 can maintain the forecheck as well. But it would be great if they could wear down the D more.

Obviously, if he could score 20 goals, that would be a huge help, but beyond that, what the Flames need is some 'heavy' forechecking, to wear down the D. That will add more space for the other lines.

If Lucic and Bennett play like that with any kind of consistency, the Flames will be better than last year. There is no question that an engaged Lucic can move the needle for this team.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

this is where I disagree. Last night showed exactly what he can add to this team - playing 'heavy'. And it is exactly what they need more of from their bottom 6.

The Flames have a great transition game. They can generate offense in waves. And last year, guys like Ryan and Mangiapane showed that the bottom 6 can maintain the forecheck as well. But it would be great if they could wear down the D more.

Obviously, if he could score 20 goals, that would be a huge help, but beyond that, what the Flames need is some 'heavy' forechecking, to wear down the D. That will add more space for the other lines.

If Lucic and Bennett play like that with any kind of consistency, the Flames will be better than last year. There is no question that an engaged Lucic can move the needle for this team.

Fantastic post. Some definitely underrate the space that powerforwards can help create for their line mates. Some underrate the impact a heavy, hard forechecker like Lucic can make in the game and in a playoff series. When defensemen get wary of heavy hits they will start to make mistakes moving the puck. Lucic is the only guy capable of laying a heavy hit or fighting a monster like Zadorov. Losing Hathaway our grit index was absurdly low. We’ve needed another powerforward for years.

The Lucic acquisition kind of reminds me of the Chris Simon acquisition before our cup run. Both heavy powerforwards who could fight, had some skill and weren’t the speediest. But Simon sure had a big impact on our playoff run.

[FlamesAddiction]

I personally think Lucic has been fine since game 1. But last night he was really dialed in and made an impact in game. I think it helped that Bennett also probably had his best game of the season. I think they were feeding off each other’s energy. Hopefully chemistry is building there.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Fantastic post. Some definitely underrate the space that powerforwards can help create for their line mates. Some underrate the impact a heavy, hard forechecker like Lucic can make in the game and in a playoff series. When defensemen get wary of heavy hits they will start to make mistakes moving the puck. Lucic is the only guy capable of laying a heavy hit or fighting a monster like Zadorov. Losing Hathaway our grit index was absurdly low. We’ve needed another powerforward for years.

The Lucic acquisition kind of reminds me of the Chris Simon acquisition before our cup run. Both heavy powerforwards who could fight, had some skill and weren’t the speediest. But Simon sure had a big impact on our playoff run.

Simon was a great acquisition. I can see the similarities, unfortunately their different contract situations makes the comparison kind of moot.

Chris Simon on an elite winger contract, I guess.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I personally think Lucic has been fine since game 1. But last night he was really dialed in and made an impact in game. I think it helped that Bennett also probably had his best game of the season. I think they were feeding off each other’s energy. Hopefully chemistry is building there.

Yeah, by in large I think Lucic has gone as the team has gone. It hasn't been a brilliant start, but it's game to game improvement. I've liked him in the Flaming C. Also, I don't think we can underestimate the impact that Doc had on them (Bennett and Lucic) as well. He's getting into his groove way earlier than he did last year, and he's a dang good hockey player. I loved that line of Mangiapane/Lucic - Ryan - Bennett.

[Plaedo]

Countdown (up) to a 3rd round pick: Neal has his 9th of the season tonight. Lucic with 0.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Plaedo

Countdown (up) to a 3rd round pick: Neal has his 9th of the season tonight. Lucic with 0.

Thanks for the update, wasn't aware.

[direwolf]

This thread seriously needs to die. Feels like it gets bumped every time Neal gets a point, and quite frankly, it's annoying as hell.

[Rando]

Originally Posted by Plaedo

Countdown (up) to a 3rd round pick: Neal has his 9th of the season tonight. Lucic with 0.

The Lucic lines is annoying, why add that.

Regardless a nice goal by Neal. Connor McDavid not on the ice, on a line with Nugent-Hopkins and Chiasson. Whatever he lost last season he's found again.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Trade has long been completed.

Can the mods lock this up?

[Zoller]

Keep this thread. It's the most logical place to discuss James Neal and Milan Lucic in 1 thread

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Zoller

Keep this thread. It's the most logical place to discuss James Neal and Milan Lucic in 1 thread

Pfft. There is also the pre-game threads, game threads, post game threads, new arena thread, etc.

[stang]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Pfft. There is also the pre-game threads, game threads, post game threads, new arena thread, etc.

Don’t forget Jankowski threads

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Pfft. There is also the pre-game threads, game threads, post game threads, new arena thread, etc.

Also, TSN and Sportsnet bring it up constantly.

[Plaedo]

Originally Posted by Rando

The Lucic lines is annoying, why add that.

Regardless a nice goal by Neal. Connor McDavid not on the ice, on a line with Nugent-Hopkins and Chiasson. Whatever he lost last season he's found again.

It's relevant because it is part of the condition for the 3rd round pick.

[Plaedo]

Originally Posted by direwolf

This thread seriously needs to die. Feels like it gets bumped every time Neal gets a point, and quite frankly, it's annoying as hell.

I know it hurts your feelings when Neal scores, it hurts mine too. But some people are interested in tracking the compensatory 3rd round pick, and this is the most logical place for that, unless it is prefered we start a while new thread?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Plaedo

I know it hurts your feelings when Neal scores, it hurts mine too. But some people are interested in tracking the compensatory 3rd round pick, and this is the most logical place for that, unless it is prefered we start a while new thread?

Yes. Starting a 3rd round pick tracking thread sounds nice

[GullFoss]

Do u think Neal will get boo'ed in his return?