James Neal

[Loob12]

Is it me or does James Neal look very slow. He can't keep up in lines 1 and 2. Even on the 3rd line, he is struggling to keep up...

[EVERLAST]

And so it begins.

[neo45]

I hope he is just out of shape or nursing something.


He is almost Jagr slow right now. We should be super worried if that continues.

[TheScorpion]

Well, he's no Dalton Prout.

[442scotty]

Certainly doesn’t look good so far. I’ll give him 30 games to find his game and win me over but I didn’t like the acquisition from the get go. Another old guy that the game is passing by just like Mike Smith, Troy Brouwer and a few other hail Mary free agent signings.

[FlamesFanTrev]

You think at the higher elevation he would be faster then he was in vegas because the air is thinner.... lol

He's not really ever been a speed demon, i'm not sure he would start at 31. He also scores 20 or more goals a season being "late on the play". Maybe thats part of his game?

[Rick M.]

The Flames signed Neal for his shot: hard, accurate and released quickly. His job is to shoot. Think late Brett Hull.

[Travis Munroe]

I am in no way concerned about Neal. Understanding what sort of player they really were with their previous team will help temper expectations. If you were thinking a top player as in going to impress you each night, you won't get it. I fully expect him to continue doing his thing and put another 20+ goal year up

[TheIronMaiden]

One thing I appreciate about this thread is that it does not have a godawful click bait title like the Sam Bennett thread.

[Robbob]

This is why we can't have anything nice

[Bingo]

4 GP
1 G
1 A
2 Pts

Pace
82 GP
21 G
21 A
42 Pts

Reason they acquired James Neal via free agency? He scores 20 goals a season.

Placement on list of worries? Low

[Gundo]

Originally Posted by Bingo

4 GP
1 G
1 A
2 Pts

Pace
82 GP
21 G
21 A
42 Pts

Reason they acquired James Neal via free agency? He scores 20 goals a season.

Placement on list of worries? Low

[N-E-B]

James Neal is slow. He’s always been slow. He wasn’t brought in for his speed. I think he’s looked fine.

[Cycling76er]

Catchy thread title.

[PsYcNeT]

Things Neal can do:

• Shoot
• Pass
• Take up space around the net

Things Neal can't do:

• Backcheck
• Win board battles

I would recommend being at peace with these things sooner rather than later.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Things Neal can do:

• Shoot
• Pass
• Take up space around the net

Things Neal can't do:

• Backcheck
• Win board battles

I would recommend being at peace with these things sooner rather than later.

Not so sure I agree on that one.

[SeanCharles]

I think this is part of the reason Neal has been put with faster players instead of Tkachuk.

Neal is slower than Tkachuk no question but Tkachuk isnt a blazer like Johnny, Dube, Bennett etc.

I too worry about the 5yr term, but I'm not worried this season. I think having a sniper with two speedsters with talent like Dube and Bennett is a good recipe for a successful 3rd line.

[smiggy77]

as long as he's getting one goal every four games, we are good.

[blankall]

Neal is supposed to get 40-50 points, score 20 goals, and occasionally knock opposing players on their rears. He seems to be doing all of that.

Neal has always been big and slow. In fact, his M.O. is to get to the play late and either knock opposing players down from behind or sneak into the slot, depending on which zone the play is in.

[Firebot]

Neal is a finisher, he's not a playmaker, never has been. He puts pucks in the net. Could we at least wait until he's in a slump before making this thread, instead of right after a game he scored a goal?