MDCSL
Registered User
I think someone has said it’s been his best game as a flame almost every game he’s played; at some point looking better means nothing unless he can put up points
Player Discussion James “The Real Deal” Neal a Flame! 5 years, 28.75 million.
- Thread starter Thumper17
- Start date
I think someone has said it’s been his best game as a flame almost every game he’s played; at some point looking better means nothing unless he can put up points
Won’t emerge on 3rd line however I wouldn’t demote Bennett at this point in time.
Would be interesting to have seen how Brouwer would of done under Peters. Would of been in better shape cap wise that’s for sure.
Would be interesting to have seen how Brouwer would of done under Peters. Would of been in better shape cap wise that’s for sure.
SmellOfVictory
Registered User
- Jun 3, 2011
- 10,959
- 653
To some degree it's true, he needs to produce to live up to a contract as large as his. But he has looked like a real live hockey player in the past couple of games, to the point where I'd say I expect him to start producing.
I swear to god, Tre should just never go into FA unless it's for depth. It's like these players just wait to get payed and then float through the first few years of their contract. FA is always a failure, almost always. Think about the last 5 years...We've had one that was decent value in Frolik...Maybe I'm missing something, but I doubt it's anything of significance.
- Jan 9, 2009
- 15,675
- 10,233
$1.9m x 8 yrs
If the Flames wait til June 2020 the yearly cap hit remains the same but the term is reduced to 6 yrs.
In 2021 it's reduced to 4 yrs...
I think a trade for a bag of used pucks is the better option.
Last edited:
Neal wont be bought out or traded, at least not this season and most likely not for next either. He's been disappointment but we just have to hope he improves.
Nanuuk
Registered User
Neal will come around. I can't see Tre buying him out as we're on the hook for Brouwer, $1.5 X4. So Tre will be patient. Very patient.
Thanks for the math, seems more reasonable to wait...or at least pray someone would take him for nothing. He's too f***ing slow to keep up with this team, really bad fit...I don't see it improving at this point, but it could happen I guess. My optimism on a turnaround is quickly vanishing.
Nanuuk
Registered User
Neal is slow going north/south, not so slow going east/west. He can hit those gaps and that is a key to the Flames game. Tre knew this going in and the good news is that a slow player's skating won't degrade that much. You can't teach shooting or scoring and Neal does have an elite level wrist/snap-shot. That skill might degrade over time, but I don't think so. Even Iggy could still snap that puck towards the end of his career.
Last edited by a moderator:
joescores
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2011
- 2,166
- 1,460
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
Neal is probably my favourite player on the Flames. Love him.
Mr Snrub
I like the way Snrub thinks!
- Oct 12, 2016
- 5,713
- 2,410
The problem was that you were banging the "Neal is shit" drum 10 games into the season, before it could definitively be said that he was playing badly and not just on a cold streak. You turned out to be right, but by way of dumb luck. For the record I also think people here would have taken you a lot more seriously if you posted about things other than James Neal through the first month of the season.
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
It's like saying "I bought 5 tickets, so I'm guaranteed to win the lottery." If I do win the lottery, it doesn't justify that statement.
With regards to the reactions you got, you shouldn't be surprised. If you take an unreasonable position, you force everyone with every reasonable opinion to oppose you, even if, for instance, they also had soured on the signing. Just like OKG with guys like Kulak or Monahan. He creates people's opposition through taking unreasonable stances, and then criticizes people for "hating" or "fanboying" those players, when his takes are what are creating positive or negative responses.
Last edited:
joescores
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2011
- 2,166
- 1,460
SKRusty
Napalm
- Jan 20, 2016
- 2,611
- 1,062
Hardly a soap box to stand on. If your "vision" would have been used half the players making the team successful this season would not be here now and we would be battling Edmonton for the Tire Fire Cup.
Turning Mangiapanese
Registered User
- Jun 18, 2011
- 1,553
- 620
That was actually a pretty crafty veteran move he did on his goal last night. A totally intentional kick goal but with no "distinct kicking motion" so suck it Sharks.
Whatever gets him going I guess, if anyone needed a goal it was Neal.
Please please don’t let his skates be discontinued now.
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
So far, Neal has not fulfilled his role. You can’t argue that. With that said, to think he’s garbage or will not start to heat up, is foolish. Goal scorers are particularly streaky and Neal is no exception. Do not be surprised if he’s red hot for the remainder of the year or in the very near future. His shot did not magically vanish.
Nanuuk
Registered User
The 3rd line of Bennett/Jankowski/Neal are starting to mesh I think. They were effective yesterday and would be even more effective if they shot the puck more and looked for rebounds.
Even though Neal only has 8 points this year (Brouwer has 10) I think he's going to have a better second half.
Anyone else catch Francis saying Neal's problem is his attitude? Good grief, the Flames should insist Francis be turfed from the broadcasts.
Even though Neal only has 8 points this year (Brouwer has 10) I think he's going to have a better second half.
Anyone else catch Francis saying Neal's problem is his attitude? Good grief, the Flames should insist Francis be turfed from the broadcasts.
