Confirmed Signing with Link: [CGY] James Neal (5 years, $5.75M AAV)

[CraigsList]

Interesting. I thought Backlund-Frolik would be tied together.

Might be the end of the 3M line since we need more scoring, and also since we have better top 6 RW options than Frolik now.

 

[Star67]

5 years is too long but the Flames top 9 is legit now

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm
Bennett - Jankowski - Ryan

 

[Bounces R Way]

You don't go out and pay a price for a goal scorer like Neal to not play him with your 60 assist star player. Fairly confident Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal will be getting long looks this season, and for several after that. Perfect compliment for those two, physical along the boards, great release that he gets off in a hurry, drives the net often, maybe not the greatest playmaker but can at least hang on to a puck with some confidence. Not afraid to mix it up either and draw some of the attention off Johnny and Monny.

One of the most obvious failings for the Flames the last couple years was not having a top line RW that could keep up with Gaudreau and Monahan.

 

[Lunatik]

Riiiight. He was their MVP up until he got hurt.

What is it with Flames fans and hating on their goalies? You’d think you’d learn to appreciate one who had an excellent season after blaming all your team failures on goalies for the last decade.

He doesn't speak for most of us. Smith was fantastic up until his injury, then returned too soon when the youngsters couldn't handle the starters workload.

 

[Lunatik]

Interesting. I thought Backlund-Frolik would be tied together.

I have my suspicions that we will see a lineup like this and roll 4 lines with the 3rd and 4th lines being equal in ice-time:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Bennett - Jankowski - Czarnik
Frolik - Ryan - Brouwer

 

[HarrySPlinkett]

I have my suspicions that we will see a lineup like this and roll 4 lines with the 3rd and 4th lines being equal in ice-time:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Bennett - Jankowski - Czarnik
Frolik - Ryan - Brouwer

I can see Neal and Lindholm flip flopping all year as each player heats up or goes cold.

First of all, Neal is an obvious fit on the top line because of his shot. He can get it off from anywhere. He's also big, he's dirty, and he brings a sandpaper element that Gaudreau and Monahan simply don't have.

Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal seems like a line that will draw a crap ton of penalties and be wretched to play against. I think this is the year the league recognize Matthew Tkachuk is a superstar.

Lindholm is also smart enough to play on the top line, regardless of his muffin shot. Johnny can't shoot it through a wet paper bag; when you're smart, you can score goals. I also think he might be useful on the 1st line as a defensive conscience in the 3rd.

The RW situation is so much better now than it was a week ago. They should be a playoff team if the goaltending holds.

 

[Niten Ichi Ryu]

Ever since he left Pittsburgh, he's never been the same, production wise. He's on a slow decline and I think this deal will look bad as early as 2019-20 season

 

[1989]

Ever since he left Pittsburgh, he's never been the same, production wise. He's on a slow decline and I think this deal will look bad as early as 2019-20 season

You mean not playing on a line with a top 5 centre in the world might make Neal's numbers go down after he leaves? What a deep well of hindsight you possess.

We're talking about a veteran, well-rounded forward who has been to the SCF twice in a row (albeit on the wring end of it). Dude can score and provides a decent amount of grittiness that the top line doesn't have. It's a great acquisition. The contract isn't the best but it's a UFA contract, and certainly not even close to being one of the worst signed this offseason.

 

[blankall]

5 years is too long but the Flames top 9 is legit now

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm
Bennett - Jankowski - Ryan

I'd say five years is about the right amount of time to rebuild. The Flames had a horrible prospect pool to work with at the beginning of their rebuild.

 

[tfong]

Thankfully no NTC or anything that prevents us from dumping him like any other team when he gets old and crusty.

 

[inthe6ix]

Didn't really like the Hamilton trade, but this FA signing for Neal is pretty good.

Looking forward to see if he gels on the top line.

 

[THall4]

Id say maybe the term is a year, maybe 2 too long...but the $$ is solid.
In the end, the Flames are much better now than they were a week ago.

Im a little jealous as I wanted Neal on the Oilers...that cap I tell ya.

 

[PuckNut]

Good stuff or Calgary. Gonna be though to beat them this year with the upgrade on the forwards.

Side note of Johny and Leon

They are both stars. Both are good at hockey .

 

[THall4]

Also, maybe the 5x5 offer from Vegas wasn’t true? Would be surprised if just .75 over 5 was the deal breaker considering Vegas is a contender and he already has friends on the team.

That's what everyone thought of Marian Hossa too.

Loses in SCF in back to back years with Pittsburgh and then Detroit...took the money deal in Chicago....id say it worked out well for him lol

that being said..**** the Flames...I hope they never win the cup lol

 

[Volica]

Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal seems like a line that will draw a crap ton of penalties and be wretched to play against. I think this is the year the league recognize Matthew Tkachuk is a superstar.

Matty Tkachuk was pacing 60 points while his entire line was having a statistically unsustainably low shooting percentage. If he plays with Neil, and Backs; and doesn't have to play against the top units every single night... the guy will hit 70 points, and not that difficultly.

One thing that Neal also does as a bit of a rat, adds anther penalty drawer.
From last season, Flames have 3 of the top 20 players in Penalties drawn in the league. Now if the PK wasn't 29th in the league this year, that'd be great.

 

[Star67]

I'd say five years is about the right amount of time to rebuild. The Flames had a horrible prospect pool to work with at the beginning of their rebuild.

To be honest considering some of the other deals that were handed out, 5 years for Neal doesn't look all that bad.

 

[torniojaws]

Bit surprised he turned down 5x5 from Vegas and now settles for 5x5.75 with CGY...

Vegas tax = 8,25 %
Calgary tax = 10 %

Cost of living seems to be basically identical too:
Cost of Living Comparison between Las Vegas, Nevada and Calgary.

Strange. Maybe he has some connection to Alberta, beyond being Canadian? He can kiss Stanley Cup goodbye in Calgary though, so the reason must be personal. Otherwise the change does not make any sense.

 

[Haatley]

This isn’t Calgary puck. Fans of other teams are allowed to comment.

Ya. But it shows how sad thr Oilers offseason has been when all you talk about is Calgary.

 

[Tkachuky]

Vegas tax = 8,25 %
Calgary tax = 10 %

Cost of living seems to be basically identical too:
Cost of Living Comparison between Las Vegas, Nevada and Calgary.

Strange. Maybe he has some connection to Alberta, beyond being Canadian? He can kiss Stanley Cup goodbye in Calgary though, so the reason must be personal. Otherwise the change does not make any sense.

You really think Vegas will be going back to the finals next year?

So if the Flames make the playoffs they should respectfully decline and not bother to play for the cup? Not sure why people are having a hard time with his decision to go to Calgary. He is very good friends with smith too.

Willing to bet Flames finish ahead of the Knights next season anyways.

 

[DFF]

You really think Vegas will be going back to the finals next year?

.

By just looking at the roster on paper, people predicted them to finish at the bottom last year.
The teams are very close, I think anything can happen in the west this year.

 

[nabob]

Ya. But it shows how sad thr Oilers offseason has been when all you talk about is Calgary.

So Oiler fans aren’t allowed to comment on the mains unless it’s an Oilers transaction?

Shows how sad it is that all you do is make up stuff about fans of other teams and don’t even discuss hockey on a NHL forum.

 

[CraigsList]

So Oiler fans aren’t allowed to comment on the mains unless it’s an Oilers transaction?

Shows how sad it is that all you do is make up stuff about fans of other teams and don’t even discuss hockey on a NHL forum.

We didn’t say that, we just think it’s hilarious that when a player is rumored to be traded or is unsigned, you guys are head over heels for that player to be acquired/signed. But, when the Flames trade or sign the player the player becomes the worst player on the planet? Think I’m lying? Go look up:

Hamonic discussions pre and post trade - You guys were all over acquiring him and once Calgary got him, “Bad trade, Hamonic isn’t even good.”

D. Hamilton - “is carried by Giordano, Isn’t that good of a player and only is good at offense, never uses his big body. ” (Traded to Carolina): “Hamilton is a great 5 on 5 player, it’s a shame we didn’t get him, he’s a PP specialist, a top pairing defenseman.”

Need I go on? Sure, Czarnik being called a potential top 6 player to now a meh RW player that won’t amount to anything now that Calgary has him, or how Hanifin doesn’t look like he could become more valuable and a better player than Hamilton now that he is gone, or even Spence Foo getting signed by us rather than you guys. And now, the Neal signing is pretty dang hilarious to read about.

You guys just can’t get away from the Flames’ signings, why is that? You care way too much about your rival. I know this is a discussion board and can do whatever the hell you want, but damn I love getting signings/trades, just to but you guys and to see the salty tears. I’ve never seen a fan base stand by their comments, they always change when they don’t get the player they want.

 

[GKG18]

Willing to bet Flames finish ahead of the Knights next season anyways.

How much?

 

[nabob]

We didn’t say that, we just think it’s hilarious that when a player is rumored to be traded or is unsigned, you guys are head over heels for that player to be acquired/signed. But, when the Flames trade or sign the player the player becomes the worst player on the planet? Think I’m lying? Go look up:

Hamonic discussions pre and post trade - You guys were all over acquiring him and once Calgary got him, “Bad trade, Hamonic isn’t even good.”

D. Hamilton - “is carried by Giordano, Isn’t that good of a player and only is good at offense, never uses his big body. ” (Traded to Carolina): “Hamilton is a great 5 on 5 player, it’s a shame we didn’t get him, he’s a PP specialist, a top pairing defenseman.”

Need I go on? Sure, Czarnik being called a potential top 6 player to now a meh RW player that won’t amount to anything now that Calgary has him, or how Hanifin doesn’t look like he could become more valuable and a better player than Hamilton now that he is gone, or even Spence Foo getting signed by us rather than you guys. And now, the Neal signing is pretty dang hilarious to read about.

You guys just can’t get away from the Flames’ signings, why is that? You care way too much about your rival. I know this is a discussion board and can do whatever the hell you want, but damn I love getting signings/trades, just to but you guys and to see the salty tears. I’ve never seen a fan base stand by their comments, they always change when they don’t get the player they want.

You have a slight obsession with Oiler fans. Maybe stick to CP.

 

[thadd]

I didn't horriblad.

Maybe 1 year too long or $775K too much per year.