Waived: James Neal | Clears

[MoontoScott]

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.

True but carrying the guy for a whopping 5.75M cap hit next year will be tough especially if you can no longer play him.

He was never fast but seems to have lost a step.

 

[LTIR]

True but carrying the guy for a whopping 5.75M cap hit next year will be tough especially if you can no longer play him.

He was never fast but seems to have lost a step.

Neal has been fine. Not 5.75M good but better than Turris/Chiasson/Nygard/Shore etc. He was fine in a bottom 6 role.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

This caught me off guard, but I agree that this is likely just cap related unless it's one step farther than him being a HS after his 2 goal game because of disconnect between the player and coaching staff?

 

[MoontoScott]

This caught me off guard, but I agree that this is likely just cap related unless it's one step farther than him being a HS after his 2 goal game because of disconnect between the player and coaching staff?

Yes, I wonder too.

There was definitely a problem with the Flames coaching and management staff but perhaps that was just a one-off.

 

[McBeastMode]

 

[3IR]

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.

Exactly why you offer him his currently salary to play a role in player development!

 

[Fourier]

Exactly why you offer him his currently salary to play a role in player development!

That would be cap circumvention.

 

[Wewillrise]

I agree they most likely wait to buy him out until 2022

 

[yukoner88]

Pizza party is back on!

 

[Stoneman89]

And right when I was thinking of calling him a dumbass, he redeems himself. All is good now , Jesse!

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

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

No but there is less than a 0 chance he is retiring.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

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

Or a trade but that is extremely unlikely.

I’d give up our first if Seattle took Neal but I’m not the GM. Holland wants his first round picks it sounds.

 

[Del Preston]

Maybe the Flames will claim Neal and then their fans can do a 180 on him again.

 

[Oilhawks]

Yes, I wonder too.

There was definitely a problem with the Flames coaching and management staff but perhaps that was just a one-off.

From what I heard of it, Flames were crybabies to start it off. Which I suppose isn’t that surprising. I’m pretty certain he’s well liked in the room here. It’s a paper transaction

 

[MoontoScott]

Or a trade but that is extremely unlikely.

I’d give up our first if Seattle took Neal but I’m not the GM. Holland wants his first round picks it sounds.

I'd go for the 4*1.9M option long before surrendering a 1st.

 

[Spawn]

Khaira
Ennis
Chiasson
Shore
Nygard
Russell
Neal

Any other forwards I’m missing we’ve waived and have cleared?

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I'd go for the 4*1.9M option long before surrendering a 1st.

Depends where the 1st is plus this year isn’t a great draft. If we’re not a lotto team I’d move it.

 

[McTonyBrar]

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

We actually do but ok

 

[McTonyBrar]

That face

 

[MoontoScott]

The club was really counting on 4 guys to provide at least some firepower up front this season but the results to date have been underwhelming.

Chiasson-- gone after this season.

Neal-- Will be bought out after this season or next.

Kassian- An enigma wrapped in a mystery.

RNH-- I still think he will go on a hot streak before the season is over but he isn't playing like a 6M man and I really wonder what Holland is thinking about giving him a raise in a long term contract. It will be a real test for Holland in this situation.

 

[bobbythebrain]

Pizza didn't pop!!

 

[Gregsky99]

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.

From what I’ve heard, yes he is quite well liked. Apparently he’s a bit of a joker.

 

[Gregsky99]

Or a trade but that is extremely unlikely.

I’d give up our first if Seattle took Neal but I’m not the GM. Holland wants his first round picks it sounds.

Usually we agree but on this I’d go a hard no. You don’t give up first round picks to get rid of players. We aren’t gonna be hurting this year or next cap wise as we have lots coming off the books. Would rather just let him play out his contract if possible. Having a player is always better than dead cap space if you can fit it. At least you know what you have. I hate how we are still paying for pouliot, sekera and lucic when we really didn’t need to be (ok maybe other than lucic)

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Usually we agree but on this I’d go a hard no. You don’t give up first round picks to get rid of players. We aren’t gonna be hurting this year or next cap wise as we have lots coming off the books. Would rather just let him play out his contract if possible. Having a player is always better than dead cap space if you can fit it. At least you know what you have. I hate how we are still paying for pouliot, sekera and lucic when we really didn’t need to be (ok maybe other than lucic)

I agree in general with what your saying for sure. However with the cap space that would open up could allow us to get that goalie we so desperately need or a scoring winger or legit high end 3C.

Considering that, it would be worth a mid to low first for my money and not tying up cap space with a buyout.

Honestly given how precious cap space is now for everyone a first round pick probably wouldn’t even be enough for Seattle to take Neal off our hands.

 

[Gregsky99]

Just looking at cap friendly, we have lots of options for saving money next year. True the nuge extension will come into play, but most contracts off the books are replaceable pieces. I mean even not resigning Adam Larson would give us a ton of space as I think we have replacements ready. If the neal buyout is 1.9 for each year, we could probably get one really good player each year for that price tag. We lose flexibility down the road. If we didn’t have the pouliot or sekera buyouts this year, we have money for our good third line center.