You are literally explaining James Neal as well. I’ve never seen a player who handled the puck like a grenade quite like Neal. The turnovers were maddening. Guy has absolutely no poise with the puck.Having watched both teams a lot last season I disagree. Lucic literally loses 80% of the pucks he touches. His puck handling is horrifically bad. I'm not proud of paying Neal that, but I'd rather pay him that than pay Lucic to watch every single play die on his stick.
Tkachuk is a great playmaker, obviously not on McDavids level of course. But if Neal can't even keep up with that how's he supposed to do it with McDavid? Remember, Oilers try to capitalize on the rush and Neal is just as slow as Lucic
With the exception of Draisaitl, the whole Oilers team looks like OHL players compared to McDavid when he’s on the ice. Actually, this applies to the majority of the NHL...McDavid is legit.
Finding wingers to keep up to him is almost impossible, but you do what you can.
This trade, to me, is mostly addition by subtraction.
Edmonton is better without Lucic.
Edmonton has a lot more issues than just Lucic.I 100% agree with that. Edmonton improves by losing Lucic, Calgary stays about the same.
I'm just trying to put down any expectations that this will change the on ice product for the Oilers
McDavid and Neal played together at an All Star Game.
He might be, but he wasn't 2 seasons ago. We'll wait and see if last year was just Neal not clicking and having a bad year, or if this is his new norm (he was still better than Lucic last year).
Oh Absolutely, just saying Neal solves none of themEdmonton has a lot more issues than just Lucic.