Ongoing thread for Neal/Lucic discussion

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by ShotDownInFlames12

*citation needed

Or you could just look it up.

Mark Schiefele and Ryan O’Rielly have both trained with Oates and publicly given him credit for improving their game.

[browna]

Ok so where wold Lucic play?

Top line, no.

Second line, which badly needs to be able to score, and really didn’t the last month and playoffs of last year? Probably not, but that line has to be revamped somehow regardless.

Third line with Bennett and Jankowski then?

4th line, likely not, at least to start.

I’d hope that if he picked it up and his skills and skating had a bit of a rebirth, he could get second line time. On the downside, it would mean our second line, which needs to be much better to support the first line, is fumbling.

[Phaneuf_Phan]

Lucic on top line in the playoffs for sure. Don't care where he plays regular season.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Lucic has hired Adam Oates as a 1 on 1 coach. Article also goes into Oates' philosophy when it comes to training and what he focuses on so it is a good read.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/b...UPP/story.html

In the Oates world of better scoring, production begins with the stick (proper fit essential) and puck handling.

Too many players, by his eye, overtrain on both shooting and conditioning. To wit, the Oates take on each:

■ “Shooting is the most overrated thing to work on in the world. Because, think about it, some guys get one shot every two games and it’s a rebound, a tip, a breakaway. Your job is to be in the right spot at the right time. That’s it. Get there. Execute that. If you do that, you’ll get more shots. If you get to that point, and you’re still not scoring, then we’ll talk about shot.”

Reminds me of how Jagr noted that a lot of people can get to the wrong place faster than him.

Also the reference to having the right stick. Don’t tell James Neal that Oates has this figured out! Just kidding. Neal is no good.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by browna

Ok so where wold Lucic play?

Top line, no.

Second line, which badly needs to be able to score, and really didn’t the last month and playoffs of last year? Probably not, but that line has to be revamped somehow regardless.

Third line with Bennett and Jankowski then?

4th line, likely not, at least to start.

I’d hope that if he picked it up and his skills and skating had a bit of a rebirth, he could get second line time. On the downside, it would mean our second line, which needs to be much better to support the first line, is fumbling.

Put him on the 2nd line and move Chucky to RW. Imagine how much more ######ry Chucky can pull off with nobody wanting to do anything for fear Looch will pound them.

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Put him on the 2nd line and move Chucky to RW. Imagine how much more ######ry Chucky can pull off with nobody wanting to do anything for fear Looch will pound them.

That might actually be a bad thing, though.

If opponents are too afraid to retaliate to Tkachuk for getting under their skin just because Lucic is there, that takes away one of Tkachuk's best qualities, which is drawing penalties.

On the other end, if opponents do still continue to retaliate and take dumb penalties against Tkachuk, Lucic coming in to protect him while getting a minor penalty himself will just negate the PP Tkachuk drew.

Doesn't make too much sense to me.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

That might actually be a bad thing, though.

If opponents are too afraid to retaliate to Tkachuk for getting under their skin just because Lucic is there, that takes away one of Tkachuk's best qualities, which is drawing penalties.

On the other end, if opponents do still continue to retaliate and take dumb penalties against Tkachuk, Lucic coming in to protect him while getting a minor penalty himself will just negate the PP Tkachuk drew.

Doesn't make too much sense to me.

i think you just get more menace, tkachuk can't help the way he plays and opponents can't help the way it makes them feel. better get used to it.

[JD]

“Shooting is the most overrated thing to work on in the world. Because, think about it, some guys get one shot every two games and it’s a rebound, a tip, a breakaway. Your job is to be in the right spot at the right time. That’s it. Get there. Execute that. If you do that, you’ll get more shots. If you get to that point, and you’re still not scoring, then we’ll talk about shot.”

Hah, truly spoken like a guy that routinely get 3x the assists as he did goals. Shooting wasn't exactly Adam's strong suit either.

Mind you, very few have ever dished the puck like he did.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by JD

Hah, truly spoken like a guy that routinely get 3x the assists as he did goals. Shooting wasn't exactly Adam's strong suit either.

Mind you, very few have ever dished the puck like he did.

James Neal wrote an article in the Athletic about being a sniper.

Maybe look at Oates’s overall accomplishments more closely when considering his ability to advise players

After stints coaching the Capitals and New Jersey Devils, Oates works as a roving skills consultant and lists NHL players Steven Stamkos, Alex Ovechkin, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter among his clients.

Even in retirement, the world's best hockey players can count on Oates for an assist.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Can he get a 5 on 5 coach too?

Bill Peters?

[JD]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Maybe look at Oates’s overall accomplishments more closely when considering his ability to advise players

Uh, I just made a playful snipe at Oates' for his lack of scoring during his playing career and the irony in what he was saying. I didn't say anything at all about whether or not he would be a good advisor. I'm well aware of his resume... Hopefully he helps Lucic.

[JackIsBack]

Originally Posted by browna

Until they get there and realize it's much worse then they heard about.

I have heard from a good source back when that even McLellan couldn't believe how dysfunctional the organization was and how much energy that zapped from players day to day and year to year. Talent is going to waste, and then with cap problems due to overpaying guys to go there, there is no easy fix, and, players aren't waiving to go to Edmonton either.

The problem for us is - It just takes one guy in upper management to fix it, one guy with the power to actually make the change - is Holland that guy? With Bob and Lowe, etal, there - I'm wondering what anyone could get done to these ends... but if Katz every woke up from his treatments (I hope he's better or get's better) or if Nicholson or Lowe finally realize that they're in fact the problem - things could change quickly.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Bill Peters?

Bill has an off-season training outfit for players?

[Azhouse]

Will Lucic get moved up in situations where Johnny is getting worked over or is taking to many off the hands?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

Will Lucic get moved up in situations where Johnny is getting worked over or is taking to many off the hands?

Yup. I probably would have disagreed with the idea 3 years ago. But it’s long overdue.

Career high this year for Johnny. Book it.

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Yup. I probably would have disagreed with the idea 3 years ago. But it’s long overdue.

Career high this year for Johnny. Book it.

You could tell from Johnny’s recent interview that he’s pretty stoked. Maybe he won’t blatantly embellish the way he’s been known to do. He’ll let it get handled on the ice.

[Azhouse]

That alone makes Lucic>Neal.

[tfi racing]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

That alone makes Lucic>Neal.

If the guy wants to be here and is putting in an honest effort to improve to be a useful part of the team that also puts him way ahead of Neal, hopefully the results in a few months prove that.

[monkeyman]

Gaudreau on Lucic.

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

https://www.nhl.com/news/johnny-gaud...up/c-308490928

"Gaudreau said he's confident the 6-foot-3, 231-pound forward can be a force for the Flames."
"You don't really realize how big a presence he is on the ice," Gaudreau said. "When you play against a team like that and you have a player like that who can get into the corners, big body, get in front of the net, he really helps your team. I think that's what we've been looking for in our team. I think he can push us over the edge here."

[djsFlames]

It's interesting how players who are on the ice with these guys have a pretty different take than fans about another player.

The guys out there that have dealt with lucic dont consider him useless at all.