Confirmed with Link: [EDM/CGY] James Neal <--> Milan Lucic ($750K Ret.) + Cond. 3rd '20 (Goals Scored Related vs. Looch)

[MapyPopa]

Steal for Edmonton. Neal can rebound, he can still shoot very well and can play with Mcd. Have no idea why Calgary does this. But a steal for you guys, nice one,

 

[The Nuge]

When they say “some salary”, it better be under 500k. Preferably 125-250k to either even out salaries, or keep them as is

 

[Soli]

While I think loading the top line (Drai - McDavid - Neal) may be useful in rejuvenating Neal's pace at first, but you have to give Nuge something... hopefully Nuge - Neal mesh taking on secondary competition.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

When they say “some salary”, it better be under 500k

When I hear “some” I’m definitely not thinking it’ll be a ton.

 

[Faelko]

I’m guessing Jimmi is pretty happy right now....

 

[stempniaksen]

Would Neal be expected to line up next to Drai/Nuge on the 2nd line?

 

[Oilception]

When they say “some salary”, it better be under 500k

Hoping just the .250 in salary difference

 

[Soli]

Training I believe.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Would Neal be expected to line up next to Drai/Nuge on the 2nd line?

I'd hope so.

 

[yukoner88]

Downside of a potential Neal buyout is he’d be on the books for literally ever but it’s still more palatable than Lucic’s

It gives us an out if Neal is truly done. If lucic's game falls even further, he's their immovable dead weight , even if retention is 25ish% (thats just a guess)

 

[McIce Whole]

When they say “some salary”, it better be under 500k. Preferably 125-250k to either even out salaries, or keep them as is

I think that is likely the case, we even out the salaries and give up a pick for the extra year Lucic has.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Great news for the expansion draft too. Maybe Neal and Draisaitl can recreate the Neal and Malkin magic. All he needs is big-body playmaker?

 

[Skolman]

 

[Joey Moss]

It just hit me that I'll never have to watch Lucic float around and turn the puck over every single shift.

Enjoy Flames fans!!

 

[MinnesotaFats]

Only issue is Neal is supposed to be a TERRIBLE teamate when things are not good.. Looch appeared to be a good one and a total pro. So who knows

Who cares? Every locker room has dudes that are arseholes to varying degrees. This is nothing but a win. No idea what happened to Neal in CGY, but it's not crazy to think that he can rebound to 20-20-40 type of stat line. Looch has no hope of bouncing back with how bad his skating is. Watching him skate is like watching one of those trained Russian bears on skates.

 

[Paralyzer]

I think that is likely the case, we even out the salaries and give up a pick for the extra year Lucic has.

Their contracts end the same time...

 

[Del Preston]

 

[PaPaDee]

No news on amount of retention?

 

[CycloneSweep]

While I think loading the top line (Drai - McDavid - Neal) may be useful in rejuvenating Neal's pace at first, but you have to give Nuge something... hopefully Nuge - Neal mesh taking on secondary competition.

I wonder if they start with Neal with McDavid, build him some confidence and then give a confident Neal to Nuge

 

[Joey Moss]

Would Neal be expected to line up next to Drai/Nuge on the 2nd line?

Depends if we do anything else. Most likely second line with RNH. Possible winger with McDavid though.

 

[oXo Cube]

Unfortunately won't have time to head over to calgarypuck before tomorrow morning, but that visit is going to be fun.

 

[Gone]

This might be either:

Win-Win

or

Lose-Lose

 

[Soli]

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Would Neal be expected to line up next to Drai/Nuge on the 2nd line?

If I were betting it'll be McDrai /RNH-Neal making up the top two lines. However this does give you options. Neal as the sniper with McDavid and Kassian doing the heavy lifting sounds like it could succeed. That would let you have Nuge and Draisaitl on the second line together.

Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian
Neal-RNH-Chiasson

or...

Neal-McDavid-Kassian
Nuge-Draisaitl-Chiasson

Better than it was 3 hours ago

 

[McIce Whole]

This might be either:

Win-Win

or

Lose-Lose

Or win - lose and we are the winners for once