Goodbye and thank you, James Neal
- Thread starter LadyStanley
- Start date
Supermassive
HISS, HISS
Thanks for being exactly as advertised, James. Scored some gigantic goals early in the season to get the momentum rolling. Was a good soldier, honest enough that he didn’t pretend like he was committed to Vegas. Glad we’re losing a 2RW instead of the 1RW I thought he’d be.
He looks a bit brittle, and is on the back 9 of his career. Looks like he did what was best for him, but us as well.
He looks a bit brittle, and is on the back 9 of his career. Looks like he did what was best for him, but us as well.
CupInSIX
My cap runneth over
The Duck Knight
Henry, you're our only hope!
I pretty much hated Neal before becoming a Knight. Still don't like him much, but I am thankful for the big goals he scored for us this past year. Thrilled GMGM didn't give him this kind of deal. 5 years at that money is a lot for a 50 point player that isn't a two way player.
ronthemailman
Registered User
Thought they would up the ante with Perron gone to keep Neal, but 5 year, $28.75 million too much to pass up..lots of jerseys now obsolete at T-Mobile
That is a great deal and I'm sure he will have an amazing season in Calgary. Class A goal scorer.
CupInSIX
My cap runneth over
GKG18
Expansion Fan
Yeah, he was a gamer. Will be missed. But he's been hurt quite a bit in the last two years and that's not going to improve with age. I totally get why GMGM passed.
CupInSIX
My cap runneth over
the Knights seemed to have had a lot of concussions down the stretch and in the playoffs...not that the information would get out...
He's more like a 25 goal, 46 point forward who plays 71 games a year and doesn't bring you much else at this point. That's what you can feel comfortable expecting. At least for the next 2-3 years, after that not sure.
He also gets that many points by being put in many advantageous positions.
I really think Tatar could give us those 46 points if given the opportunities Neal was given and he's a little cheaper, younger, does more outside of points, has played at least 80 games more often and is signed for less years.
He also gets that many points by being put in many advantageous positions.
I really think Tatar could give us those 46 points if given the opportunities Neal was given and he's a little cheaper, younger, does more outside of points, has played at least 80 games more often and is signed for less years.
Not sure if Haula is willing to give him a second line spot without a fist-fight, if you know what I mean eheehee!
ChanceVegas
Barney on a bender
He was one of my favorite VGK players. Seemed like he could always score the timely goal when we needed it most. Best of luck to the Real Deal in Calgary!
Haha Well that does create a good problem for Vegas to have! Too many top 6 forwards fighting for positions.
HollaHaula
Cynical Wild fan
- Jul 28, 2015
- 860
- 280
Neal's game isn't going to age well. Glad Vegas let him and Perron go. Need to keep moving forward and not getting too sentimentally attached to declining players. *Looking at you, Reaves*
Pirate Deadpool
Registered User
All Neal needs is space. He's got quick silky mitts. I still can't believe the open net goal he missed in game 4 finals. He's tough to take the puck from too. Speed in open ice and bad stick discipline is what gets him in trouble sometimes.
HollaHaula
Cynical Wild fan
- Jul 28, 2015
- 860
- 280
When the speed goes, so does the space. Happens with every "just fast enough" sniper in the league.
LadyStanley
Registered User
And he did not get the six years he was rumored to want.
Good on George for sticking to guns.
IceNeophyte
Registered User
- Nov 14, 2017
- 9,998
- 7,308
He was one of my least favorite stars of the team, to be completely honest.You watch guys like the first line, Haula, Shea, give it everything they've got every second on the ice, and he seemed to just be kind of there sometimes, especially in the defensive zone. His skills got him through, but a 200 foot team needs 200 foot players.
I liked Perron a lot more, but it was ckear he wasn't the same after returning from injury.
ChanceVegas
Barney on a bender
Can't say I blame yah and Neal was a huge defensive liability. Still, he was the face of the franchise in our beginning so there will always be some sentimentality for me there. Plus he was that guy who you knew could get a shot when we absolutely had to have one. Too bad his one skill left him in the SCF though.
Pirate Deadpool
Registered User
He didn't need much room. He had the quickest release on the team by a mile and he played up close most of the time getting greasy goals. Something Tuch really needs to work on more with that big frame of his. Reilly Smith and Wild Bill are both players that needed speed most of the time to get a breakaway goal or one of them would create a lot of space then fire a cross crease pass to the other.
LadyStanley
Registered User
VegasKnightlife
Registered User
- Aug 20, 2017
- 387
- 478
