It wasn't a win for the Flames, it just isn't as bad as it looked.
Edmonton got what they needed. A PP specialist that forces people to either leave McDrai Open to cover, or leave the shooter open, who might chip in a little 5v5 offense.
Calgary got what they needed: Someone to fill a bottom 6 role, that can hit, and chip in with some offense.
Lucic wasn't doing what Neal is in Edmonton. Neal wasn't doing what Lucic is in Calgary.
Neither team won the trade, but neither team lost it. Garbage contract for garbage contract. The advantage is that Edmonton is guaranteed to not have to protect Neal (while Calgary likely *won't* have to, there is definitely a risk).
I like what Lucic brings for the Flames, and he has been better than what I thought he would be BUT, if we didn't have the Neal cap, we probably could have also gotten someone similar to Lucic for less in FA/Trade, so it's not like it's a great deal. Edmonton could have likely got something better than Neal for cheaper as well IF they didn't have the Lucic contract either.