He's not a great all around player and that's not sour grapes from me. He's an average player that is great in front of the net.
TSN: Nashville Aquires James Neal from Pittsburgh for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling
- Thread starter NoNecksCurse
- Start date
jwhouk
Former Cheesehead, Always a Preds Fan
glenngineer
Registered User
Huh? Is Neal a raging alcoholic? If not then I have no idea where this is coming from.
jrolley325
Registered User
james neal creates zilch on his own. without evgeni malkin inflating his stats, he's an average winger who does nothing in the playoffs
I agree his stats are inflated because of Malkin, but he did score 27 in 78 games and 21 in 59 games in Dallas.
I'm hoping we get him a playmaker that can really set him up, but even if we don't he won't be worthless.
We don't need him to, just finish what others create. If he can do that, I would be pleased with the trade.
Enoch
This is my boomstick
That sounds exactly like ....
Patric Hornqvist.
Hornqvist has below average hands, below average shot, below average skater, average in the defensive zone. He works his butt off. He is the best net guy in the league currently. His net presence is what gets him his goals, so he is invaluable in that aspect. But. The rest of his game - it isn't that good. Honestly, he held back his lines at even strength here in Nashville consistently because he isn't good with the puck in any facet, unless he is in front of the goalie. He should do really well in Pittsburgh (as he did here) because he will be able to do his job, work hard, and score dirty goals. Just don't expect much else. He will fit better as a third liner, but he will do fine on the second line. Due to the nature of his game, he would have 20 game stretches with no goals, then score 8 in 15 games. Love the guy. Hard worker. But his talent level, not even comparable to Neal.
Byrddog
Lifer
- Nov 23, 2007
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I agree with this evaluation of Horni but this type player is needed on most teams. Now the only player we have that fits that role is Goose. So do we see a larger role for Goose? Its hard to imagine still putting three lines out there without one of those linesproducing with a playin in front of the net.
I do not see why somes keep penciling in Foresberg in the line-up he is at least another year away from having a chance to be effective in the NHL.
Enoch
This is my boomstick
Byrd, I think Watson is the guy they are hoping fills part of that role. You are right, every team covets a guy like Hornqvist because his skill at being a net guy is so hard to come by.
SaintLouHaintBlue
Have another donut
FYI, Neal's reputation here on the Pit boards is that he is a bit of a lazy player, his one trick is that he has a really big shot - but never uses his size on along the boards or in front of the net.
He floats, and waits for Malkin to set him up, basically - and it can be frustrating to watch when you are playing opponents with lots of depth and are capable of shutting down our centers (and not everyone is, which is how he is able to put up his big numbers). It does not necessarily feel as though we were fleeced in this trade.
That being said, he was the best player in the trade, for sure - and it seemed like he would be able to bring more back. He did score 40 goals, once.
I don't know anything about Spaling though, and he's the player people are unsure/skeptical about - as he seems to be a 3rd liner with no upside.
Depth we could have got through FA, in other words.
He floats, and waits for Malkin to set him up, basically - and it can be frustrating to watch when you are playing opponents with lots of depth and are capable of shutting down our centers (and not everyone is, which is how he is able to put up his big numbers). It does not necessarily feel as though we were fleeced in this trade.
That being said, he was the best player in the trade, for sure - and it seemed like he would be able to bring more back. He did score 40 goals, once.
I don't know anything about Spaling though, and he's the player people are unsure/skeptical about - as he seems to be a 3rd liner with no upside.
Depth we could have got through FA, in other words.
Byrddog
Lifer
- Nov 23, 2007
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I agree Neal floats alot like Smith does here but Neal has the ability to finish. He will need a talented center for him to have success here. We have to hope Poile is not done.
nomorekids
The original, baby
We have enough "work over skill guys," and I've said since Radulov left that if you mix in a few more skilled players, it would balance out. Not everyone has to be Mike Fisher.
Neal isn't going to be asked to come in and be Paul Gaustad...I might be concerned if Trotz was still here. With that said, this is part one...part two...getting a center to play with him(and Smith) is key. If they do that...be it Stastny, Spezza...maybe even Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau...I think you could be looking a the most dominant offensive line in team history.
Neal isn't going to be asked to come in and be Paul Gaustad...I might be concerned if Trotz was still here. With that said, this is part one...part two...getting a center to play with him(and Smith) is key. If they do that...be it Stastny, Spezza...maybe even Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau...I think you could be looking a the most dominant offensive line in team history.
Byrddog
Lifer
- Nov 23, 2007
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One thing you can count on Neal will not be playing with Smith there game is too much alike to have a line be successful. They love to glide thru the slot and score from that area I can't see them as linemates.
glenngineer
Registered User
RCola88
Registered User
I second this. Absolutely why I think getting Spezza is our go to because with Spezza, pretty much, comes Hemsky. He can be the other winger for Neal, not a whole lot of defense on that line but we don't need to give them defensive responsibilities. Then you can slot Smith on the 2nd line, two snipers who can provide 30+ and 20+ goals respetively
Byrddog
Lifer
- Nov 23, 2007
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And this is a good thing, two snipers on two different lines. It's a neat concept.
Need supporting cast still. But I have to be pleased with what Poile has done so far. Hope he is not done.
- Aug 13, 2007
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He isn't a poor man Holmstrom. Did hHolmstrom ever score 30?
I think he is simply this generations Holmstrom, and he's now going to be on a team with as much or more talent than Holmstroms Wings teams. I won't be surprised at all to see him top 30 again in Pittsburgh if he stays healthy
glenngineer
Registered User
If Jarnkrok and Smith are still together like they were I can see them building something good together.
If Poile is serious about adding a top center I can see that player with Neal obviously.
So the big question becomes if Wilson was supposed to be at center is he trade bait for a number 1, going to be the third line center or moved back to wing? If he is moved back to wing, his play making and big frame should work well with either combo. If he's trade bait then it's obvious the new center and Jarnkrok are the 1 and 2 centers with Fisher being the 3rd line center and Goose on line 4.
The question then becomes, who are the wingers on the top 2 lines? Stalberg? Fisher possibly? Forsberg? Cullen? Beck? Watson?
Lots of good things have happened in the last day but still a few questions to be answered. Hopefully we land Stastny on Tuesday. We do that and I think we're set up front. Move Wilson back to wing. Bring Forsberg up and put on a top line. That's a pretty decent up grade on the top 6 from last year. Heck, bring back Legwand and shift him to wing and that wouldn't be so bad either.
I think Wilson is in play but I'd like to see what Lavi can do with him first. I really think Poile is going to push hard for Stastny and the way he's moving and shaking right now I think we land him. Just a gut feeling.
- Aug 13, 2007
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Spaling is exactly what I keep hearing was Pittsburgh biggest need. Competent bottom 6 player with solid defensive and PK ability, who can also still chip in a few goals. Maybe you could have got that as a UFa, but probably not for Saplings price tag, which shouldn't be more than 2 million, and maybe less
Byrddog
Lifer
- Nov 23, 2007
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I agree the last 24 hours has been the most optomistic day I have have felt for this team in a few years. But we are not where I would hope yet. Forsberg will not be here to start the season maybe maybe by the first of the year if he can get something going.
I would not count Fish out of the top 6 yet unless Poile is able to get a center. If he does go out and get a center thenyou have to think that Wilsons time is limited before he is moved. Wilson just can't produce on the wing he would be better down the middle but does Lavy have the confidence to put him on the 1st or 2nd?????
Whats Lavy gonna do with Stalled berg also? one has to think he gives him one last chance at the top 6, im not sure if he can be the player we need in top 6.
With the addition of Neal it does make me feel better about bringing Lavy in. The top 6 is still far from deep playoff ready and it could be a couple years still. And there is still concern opening up the offence after the defense had there struggles last season.
It does give us a reason to look forward now, unlike last summer signing a couple washed up guys and another grinder. Hope Poile keeps goin.
I would not count Fish out of the top 6 yet unless Poile is able to get a center. If he does go out and get a center thenyou have to think that Wilsons time is limited before he is moved. Wilson just can't produce on the wing he would be better down the middle but does Lavy have the confidence to put him on the 1st or 2nd?????
Whats Lavy gonna do with Stalled berg also? one has to think he gives him one last chance at the top 6, im not sure if he can be the player we need in top 6.
With the addition of Neal it does make me feel better about bringing Lavy in. The top 6 is still far from deep playoff ready and it could be a couple years still. And there is still concern opening up the offence after the defense had there struggles last season.
It does give us a reason to look forward now, unlike last summer signing a couple washed up guys and another grinder. Hope Poile keeps goin.
Tasty Biscuits
with fancy sauce
I think this trade can be beneficial for both teams. Neal was pretty garbage last year after being left off Team Canada, but beforehand when he was motivated he was a beast -- maybe this trade will be a bit of the wake-up call he needs.
And as others have pointed out, Pens bottom-6 was terribad last year, so Spaling will still be an upgrade. Hornqvist will also be a big upgrade over Kunitz in front of the net on the PP, as Kunitz hasn't been getting his nose dirty for quite some time now -- it's a definite need.
And as others have pointed out, Pens bottom-6 was terribad last year, so Spaling will still be an upgrade. Hornqvist will also be a big upgrade over Kunitz in front of the net on the PP, as Kunitz hasn't been getting his nose dirty for quite some time now -- it's a definite need.
Skinnyjimmy08
WorldTraveler
- Mar 30, 2012
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looks like no Spezza.....
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Travis-Yost/Spezza-Nixes-Trade-to-Nashville/134/60978
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Travis-Yost/Spezza-Nixes-Trade-to-Nashville/134/60978
Privy
#ShutUpStu
- Nov 25, 2011
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DJB
Registered User
AJ Jakubec
@AJonSports
Told the Sens had two deals in place with teams who were on Jason Spezza's no-trade list. Bryan Murray confirmed Nashville was one of them.
@AJonSports
Told the Sens had two deals in place with teams who were on Jason Spezza's no-trade list. Bryan Murray confirmed Nashville was one of them.
