Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
in 3 leagues I grabbed him off of waivers after my players went down or because I decided I hated my draft
Player Discussion Predict James Neal pt totals for this coming season
- Thread starter Jumptheshark
- Start date
in 3 leagues I grabbed him off of waivers after my players went down or because I decided I hated my draft
inthe6ix
Registered User
FanOfSadTeam
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- Dec 12, 2010
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I can kind of understand how Lucic is a better fit for the Flames (they say this but it remains to be seen). But what I don't understand is how that makes the deal a win for them or even balanced.
They still took on a player with a huge buyout, that has a NMC, and who does not contribute anything offensively. This ain't the 80s, 90s or early 2000s; everyone in the lineup needs to be faster and produce offensively. Otherwise, you may make the playoffs, but you ain't winning the Cup (which is what Calgary's goal is, right?). The days of making the team because you're just a goon are gone.
Then you've got the part where they still gave away a valuable asset for something of far lesser value. That is just poor asset management.
The other point they make is "there's no room on our team because our top 6 is so skilled". Guy has scored 20+ in every season playing on the Pens, Preds, and Golden Knights. All teams that were considered elite or in the top 10. But no, the Flames I guess have other-worldly talent. This elite level of skill and depth has never been assembled before. They ain't got time for lesser goal-scorers. Oh, please.
They still took on a player with a huge buyout, that has a NMC, and who does not contribute anything offensively. This ain't the 80s, 90s or early 2000s; everyone in the lineup needs to be faster and produce offensively. Otherwise, you may make the playoffs, but you ain't winning the Cup (which is what Calgary's goal is, right?). The days of making the team because you're just a goon are gone.
Then you've got the part where they still gave away a valuable asset for something of far lesser value. That is just poor asset management.
The other point they make is "there's no room on our team because our top 6 is so skilled". Guy has scored 20+ in every season playing on the Pens, Preds, and Golden Knights. All teams that were considered elite or in the top 10. But no, the Flames I guess have other-worldly talent. This elite level of skill and depth has never been assembled before. They ain't got time for lesser goal-scorers. Oh, please.
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guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
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I dont see any reason for Chiasson not to get 2nd line PP minutes when he gets back.
joestevens29
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- Apr 30, 2009
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I actually don't see an issue with him not getting any PP time when he returns. It has been known since pre-season that there are a lot of guys fighting for all kinds of playing time. If you get sat, hurt or whatever you can lose your spot just like that.
It might force a guy like Chiasson to do more with his ES time and force the coach to give him PP time.
It's just weird because in the past we've never had guys step up and take something from someone else. It's usually just throw out whoever and hope they don't hurt us out there.
MettleMcOiler
5-14-6-1
FakeOilersGM is on fire lately
Nah, It would be like Comparing Holland to Chia. That makes more sense. And the differences are glaring.
Jet Walters
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- May 15, 2013
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Still, he'll be lucky to pot 10 goals this year if he loses the spot he had on PP1 to Neal. I'm not even sure he'll be a regular in the lineup when healthy. They probably like Granlund and Russell's PK ability a lot and Archibald will still be in the mix too. Not a fan of the Chiasson contract at all. Seems like Holland was influenced by leftovers from the previous regime on that one, or at least it was a case of having to fall back to plan C or D when other things fell through in July.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
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Depth is definitely not something we have seen a lot of with this team.
Nice change of pace.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
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Chiasson is likely going to be a bottom 6 player this year which IMO is exactly where he should be playing.
I think 10+ goals is doable and if he does that and plays a strong possession game then I am absolutely fine with him.
Was a bit of an overpay...maybe.
Its really minor IMO because Holland needed to hedge his bets on all the other players he brought in.
I understand it.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
- 32,926
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This seemed a little out there before the season...it doesnt now though.
At least the goal total anyway.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
- 32,926
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Just thought that it would be interesting to check in on this thread.
So far Neal has played 45 games and he has 19 goals. He is on pace for a 30+ goal season.
He is far exceeding most of the expectations on here so far.
Its clear that (even at the midway point of the season) last year was an outlier for Neal.
So far Neal has played 45 games and he has 19 goals. He is on pace for a 30+ goal season.
He is far exceeding most of the expectations on here so far.
Its clear that (even at the midway point of the season) last year was an outlier for Neal.
Aerchon
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2011
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Neal is playing well overall. He is A very up and down player.
I watched/followed him enough to have a good idea what to expect but watching him night in and out has been surprising.
I was expecting him to be worse in terms of play away from the puck, and while he is very inconsistent that way, I have been impressed when he seems focused on a 2 way game. Finishes checks, has the odd great back check, active skater stick.
He has had some games where he didn't show up on the score sheet but played great.
I'm less surprised with his production. He has been gifted extremely prime offensive minutes and is making the most of it.
I still have reservations long term with this player but to date he has been far more good than bad. Hopefully that continues. Taking back salary and giving up a 3rd rounder in this draft had seemed a tad too much to me but so far so good.
GodPucker
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- Sep 27, 2017
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I went on a rant over a week ago about how Neal is so bad. Worse than Lucic 5 on 5.
He can be, but when he plays like he has been recently, he looks like a beast. Maybe the top line bump motivated him. He was hitting everything in TO. I hate when our forwards just fly by a Dman back there and let them pass it up. Kassian and Neal were a force. Disrupting Toronto's guys left and right. When Neal doesn't do that, he can be quite a liability.
He can be, but when he plays like he has been recently, he looks like a beast. Maybe the top line bump motivated him. He was hitting everything in TO. I hate when our forwards just fly by a Dman back there and let them pass it up. Kassian and Neal were a force. Disrupting Toronto's guys left and right. When Neal doesn't do that, he can be quite a liability.
He's the perfect example of a guy that gets wrecked in plus/minus, but not because he's a defensive liability. He's in the worst position to have a defensive impact in transition. Battling in front of the net, hard in on the forecheck, PP minutes down low, empty net minutes down low.
Flames fans really wanted to paint a picture of a bad locker room guy who was poor defensively. Neal really hasn't been anything like that.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
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Thats totally fair.
I have had reservations about his 5x5 play at times as well but if I am to be completely honest about it his 5x5 play has been a net positive overall.
I am not so sure that he is a long term answer either BUT in terms of who he was traded for this is a massive win for this team.
Absolutely brilliant trade by Holland.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
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Neal is going to score his 20th goal of the season in Calgary on Saturday.
That will be too perfect.
That will be too perfect.
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
Neal is going to score his 20th goal of the season in Calgary on Saturday.
That will be too perfect.
Yep. And people w ould still flames won the deal
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
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Stoneman89
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- Feb 8, 2008
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