James Neal will score 40+ goals this year

[gordonhught]

This thread needs to get back on track.

So we agree that Neal leads the league in scoring goals. We also agree that Lucic has no goals.

We also agree that the Oilers lead the league in the standings.

I think that covers it.

 

[Hatrix]

Well twice in a row, with one not even fitting the criteria is a pretty weak definition of repeatedly. So you can try and shoe horn repeatedly in there any way you want but the reality is repeatedly being swept is not true at all.

Its not really essentially the same. Maybe if you want to say the NHL is a zero sum game and unless you win the Cup you are equally as bad as everyone else but that really doesn't seem like the case at all. Going through a historically bad period, that is not just bad for the NHL but North American sports in general is much worse than just having a bad team.

And that's where you fail to understand that "historically bad" and slightly better then histoically bad at the end of the day is a wash.

 

[Baxterman]

"Really? Because I guarantee you" multiple players having career years won't be replicated back to back years.

They don't need to have multiple players to have career years to make the play-offs again.

Anything is possible in sports but it would be a pretty huge shock for the Flames not to make the play-offs, if for no other reason than there are not 8 great teams in the West to beat them even if they fall off from last year it is unlikely there are enough bad teams from last season to overtake them.

 

[HighLifeMan]

What a logic lacking statement.

Calgary won a division title last season. Something Edmonton hasn't done in over 25 years. But, yes our organizations have had "essentially" the same level of success in recent years. Calgary has been the far more successful franchise over the past decade - to say otherwise is complete lunacy.

 

[Baxterman]

And that's where you fail to understand that "historically bad" and slightly better then histoically bad at the end of the day is a wash.

A I do not think they are and b. Calgary is not slightly better than historically bad anyways so your point doesn't really make much sense.

 

[gordonhught]

Calgary won a division title last season. Something Edmonton hasn't done in over 25 years. But, yes our organizations have had "essentially" the same level of success in recent years. Calgary has been the far more successful franchise over the past decade - to say otherwise is complete lunacy.

The past is the past. Want to compare historical success of the franchises? We can do that all day.

What matters is this year.

When I last checked Neal had 7 goals and was leading the league. Lucic had no goals.

 

[Hatrix]

When are you going to start pointing it out because all I have seen so far is Oiler fans creating strawman arguments or replying with you aren't that great yourselves. I don't see any Flames fans talking about their great success.

Oilers fans are basically stating that you shouldn't be throwing rocks from your glass house.

Calgary lost this trade fair and square. Accept it and move on already rather then making desperate reaches in attempt to justify it.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

They were good. They were acquiring the top end talent to start a new Oilers dynasty.. so I've read on here 1000 times.

dude, take the L and move on

 

[Cup or Bust]

If there was no other options to trade Neal, then you don't trade him. You keep him longer and see if he can rebound, or you buy him out. No matter how bad Neal was, trading for Lucic and his contract was terrible judgment. You don't trade a player for a worse player and even worse contract. The trade was a guaranteed loss the moment it occurred. Even if Neal never played a game for the Oilers and they simply bought him out it was a great trade. Lucic adds very little value as a player at this point. Having Lucic in an NHL lineup at a 5 million cap hit for 4 years is not a better option then buying out Neal.

It isn't Neal scoring that makes the trade a huge win for the Oilers, it's that the Oilers no longer have Lucic in their lineup with his cap hit. Trading him seemed like it would be impossible in any deal. The fact they somehow added a player that is helping the team by trading Lucic makes it seem like a miracle.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Calgary won a division title last season. Something Edmonton hasn't done in over 25 years. But, yes our organizations have had "essentially" the same level of success in recent years. Calgary has been the far more successful franchise over the past decade - to say otherwise is complete lunacy.

Won fewer playoff games, super successful!

2-12 in the last 14 playoff games, ouch.

your only hope of making it to the second round is playing the Canucks in the first round.

 

[gordonhught]

It isn't Neal scoring that makes the trade a huge win for the Oilers, it's that the Oilers no longer have Lucic in their lineup

Truer words have never been spoken.

 

[iCanada]

And that's where you fail to understand that "historically bad" and slightly better then histoically bad at the end of the day is a wash.

Not to mention... If you have less accolades in a decade when the chips are actually down than the historically worst team in all of sports... What does that make you? Lol.

 

[PinSeeker]

If there was no other options to trade Neal, then you don't trade him. You keep him longer and see if he can rebound, or you buy him out. No matter how bad Neal was, trading for Lucic and his contract was terrible judgment.

Thank you. This is the whole point!

 

[2023FriendshipTour]

The past is the past. Want to compare historical success of the franchises? We can do that all day.

What matters is this year.

When I last checked Neal had 7 goals and was leading the league. Lucic had no goals.

100 + this year.

 

[Hatrix]

Calgary won a division title last season. Something Edmonton hasn't done in over 25 years. But, yes our organizations have had "essentially" the same level of success in recent years. Calgary has been the far more successful franchise over the past decade - to say otherwise is complete lunacy.

Unless repeated is just an anomaly. Granted career years from several players all signs point to that being the case.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Calgary won a division title last season. Something Edmonton hasn't done in over 25 years. But, yes our organizations have had "essentially" the same level of success in recent years. Calgary has been the far more successful franchise over the past decade - to say otherwise is complete lunacy.

congrats on the Flames great regular season success before getting completely embarrassed in the playoffs, when they make it

you're the taller midget

 

[HighLifeMan]

Unless repeated is just an anomaly. Granted career years from several players all signs point to that not being the case.

Edmonton's top five point producers last season all had career years, yet they finished 25th in the NHL. Do you expect the same regression from your players?

 

[iCanada]

Unless repeated is just an anomaly. Granted career years from several players all signs point to that not being the case.

I tried to get his star players to explain it to him, but I couldn't find them.

They must think it's the playoffs or something.

 

[Baxterman]

Oilers fans are basically stating that you shouldn't be throwing rocks from your glass house.

Calgary lost this trade fair and square. Accept it and move on already rather then making desperate reaches in attempt to justify it.

Calgary did not lose the trade at all. Neal and Lucic both suck. The Flames are better off without Neal on the team, they would also be better off with Lucic off the team as well.

 

[djpatm]

Not to mention... If you have less accolades in a decade when the chips are actually down than the historically worst team in all of sports... What does that make you? Lol.

lol well at least you admit you're the worst team in pro sport history.

You know what it makes the Flames? Not that. We are comfortably far and away not the worst team in pro sport history. That is a title ONLY the Oilers have. Enjoy it.

 

[Hatrix]

A I do not think they are and b. Calgary is not slightly better than historically bad anyways so your point doesn't really make much sense.

3 berths in a decade is not much better then 1 especially once you consider how many games were played during that time. You're spitting hairs looking for any excuse at this point.

 

[Baxterman]

If there was no other options to trade Neal, then you don't trade him. You keep him longer and see if he can rebound, or you buy him out. No matter how bad Neal was, trading for Lucic and his contract was terrible judgment. You don't trade a player for a worse player and even worse contract. The trade was a guaranteed loss the moment it occurred. Even if Neal never played a game for the Oilers and they simply bought him out it was a great trade. Lucic adds very little value as a player at this point. Having Lucic in an NHL lineup at a 5 million cap hit for 4 years is not a better option then buying out Neal.

It isn't Neal scoring that makes the trade a huge win for the Oilers, it's that the Oilers no longer have Lucic in their lineup with his cap hit. Trading him seemed like it would be impossible in any deal. The fact they somehow added a player that is helping the team by trading Lucic makes it seem like a miracle.

They didn't trade Neal for a worse player they traded him for an equally terrible player. Both guys are garbage.

 

[Cup or Bust]

The Flames are better off without Neal on the team, they would also be better off with Lucic off the team as well.

That is why they lost the trade, they should have bought out Neal and had neither of them. The Oilers now have that option, which is why they won the trade, but since Neal is scoring goals like crazy, they may as well keep him for now.

 

[gordonhught]

lol well at least you admit you're the worst team in pro sport history.

You know what it makes the Flames? Not that. We are comfortably far and away not the worst team in pro sport history. That is a title ONLY the Oilers have. Enjoy it.

Oilers were expected to go into a dry spell with all those Cup wins.

 

[Baxterman]

3 berths in a decade is not much better then 1 especially once you consider how many games were played during that time. You're spitting hairs looking for any excuse at this point.

Not a lot better no but it is better and it is more than just 3 berths it is not being the worst team in the league repeatedly.

There is no splitting hairs, the Oilers had a historically bad run, the Flames had a bad run. Neither is desirable but one is clearly much better than the other.