Was the Lucic - Neal trade actually a win for the Flames?

[Kamiccolo]

We know the narrative to start the year when Neal was on fire, but that was obviously early season shenanigans we see with a lot of players around the NHL.

Since November 1, Neal has 8 goals and 16 points in 36 games, Lucic has 6 goals and 13 points in 40 games. Neal is playing almost 3 minutes a games more than Lucic in that time. Half of that being extra time being PP time with McDavid and Drai.

Lucic brings much more to the table than Neal as well. He hits, fights, plays hard. Neal is basically there to score points and is pacing with Lucic.

Can we now say this trade is not as lopsided as originally framed?

Click to read more...

 

[Mickmagoo]

Nope.

 

[McDNicks17]

No.

 

[fancy dan]

nope. points at the beginning of the year still count.

 

[blankall]

If Lucic puts up 30 from the bottom six, I'd say it's a win for Calgary, unless Neal goes on another big run. Not sure what happened to Lucic's confidence in Edmonton, but he's been slowly gaining it back through the season.

Lucic at 40 points and leading the team in hits and fights is fair value at 5 million. At 30 points he ceases to be in that category of horrendous contracts and is a moderate cap anchor.

It's also only a matter of time before Edmonton slots a more dynamic winger into that #1 PP position.

I honestly did not like the trade when it was made. Lucic is really growing on me though.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Accidentally hit ad lost my whole post...

Tldr let's wait the year out and see. You just gave stats of Neal being higher in less games. Let's see what he does and let's see if Lucic continues his ES scoring

 

[Senor Catface]

"Hahaha" everyone else who is not a Flames fan or Kamiccolo

 

[blankall]

Also this trade is costing the Oilers 1.25 million per year more than Calgary.

 

[McDavidCrushedLarkin]

LMAO

 

[Frank Drebin]

Sensational title.

Anyone who acquired Milan Lucic in 2019 with 4 years left on his deal did not win the trade. The best you can hope for is it not being as bad as originally thought.

 

[McDNicks17]

"If we remove Neal's best stretch of the season and focus on Lucic's, the trade starts to look close."

 

[Frank Drebin]

Also this trade is costing the Oilers 1.25 million per year more than Calgary.

If given the chance to do the trade over or not, would you do the trade again?

 

[Senor Catface]

"If we remove Neal's best stretch of the season and focus on Lucic's, the trade starts to look close."

If you take away all of Neal's goals, Lucic has 6 more goals!

 

[blankall]

If given the chance to do the trade over or not, would you do the trade again?

If Lucic continues at a .35 ppg pace absolutely. He's contributing far more than Neal.

Neal will have never succeeding in Calgary.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Flames still made a tragic mistake with this trade. That said Oiler fans are seeing what the Flames dealt with all season last year in regards to Neal. He had to go.

 

[bobholly39]

No

Don't underestimate the value Neal brought to the Oilers to start the season. Remember Oilers had missed playoffs multiple times, fans were upset/losing hope even in a team with McDavid/Drai, with no real positive outlook in sight, since the lack of depth hadn't been addressed and most expected another crap season.

I'm not saying Neal single-handedly changed this - but he played a big role in their strong start this season. And a strong start is exactly what they needed, and they haven't looked back since as a team. They've been in a playoff spot from the start, and continue to be so.

Also - Neal is pacing for 30+ goals. That's pretty good.

 

[Frank Drebin]

"If we remove Neal's best stretch of the season and focus on Lucic's, the trade starts to look close."

LOL! If you compare Lucic's best stretch to Neal's worst, Neal only outscored him by about 50%. And when you consider the truculence that Lucic offers, like how noticeable he was during that 8-3 rout a couple weeks ago, the trade is totally looking like a win for Calgary.

 

[HockeyGuy1964]

Yeah, okay.

You can go with whatever makes you feel better about it.

 

[SaintMorose]

Yes the trade worked out for the flames but it's still a win for the Oilers as well trades dont always have a loser

 

[Fourier]

Frankly, the ability to buy out the deal at any time they need the cap space makes this a win for the Oilers regardless of what the two players do on the ice. What makes the trade a win for Calgary is up to them.

 

[Jacob]

One is a powerplay specialist and the other is a hits-to-the-numbers specialist.

 

[treple13]

Trading one of the worst contracts in the league for another of the worst contracts is never a win

 

[treple13]

One is a powerplay specialist and the other is a hits-to-the-numbers specialist.

Which is which?

 

[CraigsList]

Insert deadhorse gif

We both got what we wanted. Just freaking let it go.

FWIW you can't really decide who won the trade until we've seen AT LEAST a complete season or two.

 

[Mez]

Lol!!! Lucic has 2 good night's and boom this thread.