Waived: James Neal | Clears

[PaPaDee]

He won’t be claimed.

 

[McShogun99]

Neal will be bought out this off season. His buyout is around 1.9 million. His spot on the 4th line can go to a player making under 1 million. That leaves us with 3 million to use towards upgrading another position.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Its just part of shuffling and us having to carry 9 Dmen.
Im sure Neal wouldnt take this as the end of the road. Ennis, Khaira, Shore have been waived already but still playing.
I think Chiasson was waived once too. No?

Can we please pin this post so it's the top of every page in the thread?

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Paper transaction.

But I watch Neal skate and it's like watching someone walk over hot coals. Not sure if it's the upright skating style or chronic foot problems.

Oh well, save a few pennies and hope he comes around with his covid recovery. Having a volume shooter on a team of pass first forwards has to have some value ... doesn't it?!

 

[ohheyhemsky]

Good. Literally everyone on here would bitch and moan about JJ constantly, and now the board is silent because he’s beast moding - yet no one talks about how useless Neal is, and how he looks like someone’s uncle who barely plays, coming out for beer league with his skating out there every night.

Score a goal. It’s your job.

 

[MoontoScott]

Since Neal is over 26 the the buyout value is 2/3 of the remaining contract? I believe that is the buyout rule.

So the remaining 2 years would still be a whopping 7.7 Million? A lot cash but I guess Katz has it.

1.9 M cap hit for 4 years--ugly.

I think buyout at the end of the 2022 season is more likely but carrying this guy next year for 5.75M cap hit is pretty ugly too. Unfortunately, dumb contracts are not easily flushed away.

I will always wonder what Chia was thinking in signing Lucic to a 7 year deal. Such incompetence.

 

[3IR]

Convince him to retire and offer him a role as board battle and net front presence development in the org to cover his lost wages from retirement.

ezpz

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Convince him to retire and offer him a role as board battle and net front presence development in the org to cover his lost wages from retirement.

ezpz

That is called a buyout.

 

[3IR]

That is called a buyout.

We’re not on the hook if he retires though are we?

 

[The Nuge]

As others have said. It’s just a paper transaction. And if someone wants to take him, so be it

 

[MoontoScott]

That is called a buyout.

So the 1.9M per year for 4 years is the best option?

 

[MoontoScott]

We’re not on the hook if he retires though are we?

No but as someone said he's not going to leave 11.5M on the table. You can bet Lucic plays out his contract too.

 

[tardigrade81]

Surprised, but also not surprised. It finally happened.
Will he retire after the season??

Can’t see it personally.

 

[MoontoScott]

As others have said. It’s just a paper transaction. And if someone wants to take him, so be it

What a shame the Leafs don't have the cap space for him.

 

[dssource]

Does this mean Haas is back? Bear?

Wondering the same thing. If feel it's more to do with this than anything else.

 

[Jumptheshark]

What a shame the Leafs don't have the cap space for him.

I was looking at the Kings or the Wings---but both teams would ask for a first and something else for Neal

 

[Blue Line Turnover]

And Nygard Haas and PRuss I think Turris would also clear. Too bad Bakersfield doesn’t have anyone lined up to steal an opportunity

I still think that Ryan Mcleod should get a few games; his skating is amazing and he seems like the type of player to elevate their game when given a chance at the NHL (like Bear, Drai, etc)

 

[LTIR]

So the 1.9M per year for 4 years is the best option?

We have cap space next year so should be able to just keep him around at full cap.

Buy him out after next season and its 1.9M x 2

5.75 + 1.9 + 1.9
Vs
1.9 x 4

 

[LTIR]

I still think that Ryan Mcleod should get a few games; his skating is amazing and he seems like the type of player to elevate their game when given a chance at the NHL (like Bear, Drai, etc)

IMO he needs to specialize in either PK or faceoffs (ideally both) to become a full time NHLer.

 

[MoontoScott]

I was looking at the Kings or the Wings---but both teams would ask for a first and something else for Neal

My post was in jest but yes who would take this guy without a huge payout coming back the other way.

 

[oobga]

Would try to give Seattle some sweetener to take him. Worked out well for Vegas, he's a well liked guy. Gonna be slim pickings from our team anyways, Seattle may as well take a bonus pick or mid-range prospect to bring on a vet.

 

[MoontoScott]

We have cap space next year so should be able to just keep him around at full cap.

Buy him out after next season and its 1.9M x 2

5.75 + 1.9 + 1.9
Vs
1.9 x 4

Yes, my calculations too.

9.55M for option 1
7.6M for option 2

but at least with option 1 you get him off the books a year earlier.

Both are ugly deals for the team.

Is this guy well liked in the dressing room? I have heard some conflicting things on him but who knows.

 

[NotAVacuumSalesman]

So if Calgary picks him up and he scores 10 goals do we get our 3rd back?

Asking for a friend.

 

[Stoneman89]

We have cap space next year so should be able to just keep him around at full cap.

Buy him out after next season and its 1.9M x 2

5.75 + 1.9 + 1.9
Vs
1.9 x 4

Agreed. I don't think anything should happen with him till after next year. Way too much dead cap space to leave on the table for too long. We've already been stung by the crippling Pouliot and Sekera buyouts.

 

[DropTheGloves]

Paper transaction.

But I watch Neal skate and it's like watching someone walk over hot coals.

Generally someone who walks onto hot coals gets off of them real fast.

But glad to see Neal is not immune from the waiver/taxi circuit. I will give Holland and Tippett dual credit for being able to look past his salary and status as a gud vet.