One last bit of details.....the Flames will honour Lucics NMC
- RatedR80

Im so sorry Flames fans. As much as you want to justify it, Lucic has the worst contract in the game. Its all bonuses. Can't buy those out. Bonuses are guaranteed. To buy him out would save you apx 375k a year. And he can't be buried in Stockton or traded to Ottawa or any other club without his approval. Plus he has to be protected for the Seattle expansion unless he waves his protection again.

Comparing Neal's last season vs Lucic may show Luc may bring more to the table, but luc has been declining for 3+ years. Neal has had 1 declining season and showed 2 years ago some chemistry with McDavid at the ASG.

Even if the 3rd winds up being included this is a HUGE win for the Orange and Blue.

At the same time neither player could really return to their past team. Both fan bases were blaming team failure on them. Calgary wanted Neal gone for his lack of physicality and Edmonton wanted Lucic gone for lack of production. And i think its fair to say both players wanted to move on.

Im so sorry Flames fans. As much as you want to justify it, Lucic has the worst contract in the game. Its all bonuses. Can't buy those out. Bonuses are guaranteed. To buy him out would save you apx 375k a year. And he can't be buried in Stockton or traded to Ottawa or any other club without his approval. Plus he has to be protected for the Seattle expansion unless he waves his protection again.

Comparing Neal's last season vs Lucic may show Luc may bring more to the table, but luc has been declining for 3+ years. Neal has had 1 declining season and showed 2 years ago some chemistry with McDavid at the ASG.

Even if the 3rd winds up being included this is a HUGE win for the Orange and Blue.

At the same time neither player could really return to their past team. Both fan bases were blaming team failure on them. Calgary wanted Neal gone for his lack of physicality and Edmonton wanted Lucic gone for lack of production. And i think its fair to say both players wanted to move on.
- wreckage

Actually, Calgary wanted Neal gone because he'd become toxic in the locker room. There's really no secret that he and Peters did not get along. Neal moves on to his 6th team. But like you said, they can at least buy him out in a couple years when his shelf life expires in Edm...

Actually, Calgary wanted Neal gone because he'd become toxic in the locker room. There's really no secret that he and Peters did not get along. Neal moves on to his 6th team. But like you said, they can at least buy him out in a couple years when his shelf life expires in Edm...
- tincup

Were you in the locker room to know this? It was speculated by fans, it was never said by Peters nor Neal. It is also speculated that there has been a riff in Edm between any vet and young guys for forever.

Lucic was a healthy scratch for a game or 2 down the stretch too. Just cause Neal was scratched in game 5 vs the Avs doesnt clean that situation up.

Both players have issues. Neither team "wins" so much, but who loses less will be the answer. Neither will know for at least 2 years IMO. But ATM, it heavily favors the Oilers. For the first time in a LONG time they appear to have won a trade. But results will show come expansion draft time.

Were you in the locker room to know this? It was speculated by fans, it was never said by Peters nor Neal. It is also speculated that there has been a riff in Edm between any vet and young guys for forever.

Lucic was a healthy scratch for a game or 2 down the stretch too. Just cause Neal was scratched in game 5 vs the Avs doesnt clean that situation up.

Both players have issues. Neither team "wins" so much, but who loses less will be the answer. Neither will know for at least 2 years IMO. But ATM, it heavily favors the Oilers. For the first time in a LONG time they appear to have won a trade. But results will show come expansion draft time.
- wreckage

If Neal bounces back it will bite Calgary in the ass. If not Calgary wins. When you have a guy like JG you need a player that can protect him.

Neal in Calgary did not work. Pretty obvious he thought he should be getting more overtime with better players.

Im so sorry Flames fans. As much as you want to justify it, Lucic has the worst contract in the game. Its all bonuses. Can't buy those out. Bonuses are guaranteed. To buy him out would save you apx 375k a year. And he can't be buried in Stockton or traded to Ottawa or any other club without his approval. Plus he has to be protected for the Seattle expansion unless he waves his protection again.

Comparing Neal's last season vs Lucic may show Luc may bring more to the table, but luc has been declining for 3+ years. Neal has had 1 declining season and showed 2 years ago some chemistry with McDavid at the ASG.

Even if the 3rd winds up being included this is a HUGE win for the Orange and Blue.

At the same time neither player could really return to their past team. Both fan bases were blaming team failure on them. Calgary wanted Neal gone for his lack of physicality and Edmonton wanted Lucic gone for lack of production. And i think its fair to say both players wanted to move on.
- wreckage

Are you crazy bringing logic into the discussion...u will just make them angry...

It's funny to see the different reactions...oilers fans have been and are still ecstatic with this move...we give you a third rounder great means Neal scores 22 goals or more...flames fans go from mourning the deal to maybe it's not so bad to we won this trade...now that is dillusion at it's finest...congrats to both sides on their winning of the trade...I'm just glad I'm on the oilers side...lol

Are you crazy bringing logic into the discussion...u will just make them angry...
- oil90

You are an idiot and i would appreciate it if you would never read nor respond to one of my posts. I feel myself losing IQ when you read something i post. There is a spot for you with Alfiesalad in the Sens blog or with JT on the Arizona blog. May be closer to your speed.

Thank you goodbye.

Were you in the locker room to know this? It was speculated by fans, it was never said by Peters nor Neal. It is also speculated that there has been a riff in Edm between any vet and young guys for forever.

Lucic was a healthy scratch for a game or 2 down the stretch too. Just cause Neal was scratched in game 5 vs the Avs doesnt clean that situation up.

Both players have issues. Neither team "wins" so much, but who loses less will be the answer. Neither will know for at least 2 years IMO. But ATM, it heavily favors the Oilers. For the first time in a LONG time they appear to have won a trade. But results will show come expansion draft time.
- wreckage

Eric Francis told him with his latest bash article of an ex flame player...sounds like the coach was hard headed and the player wanted a bigger part with the team...something every proud player would want...

You are an idiot and i would appreciate it if you would never read nor respond to one of my posts. I feel myself losing IQ when you read something i post. There is a spot for you with Alfiesalad in the Sens blog or with JT on the Arizona blog. May be closer to your speed.

Thank you goodbye.
- wreckage

Free country...oh no the flames fans won't like you anymore...you don't want people to post on a post you posted on an open forum...good luck with that logic...quit posting then...

Im so sorry Flames fans. As much as you want to justify it, Lucic has the worst contract in the game. Its all bonuses. Can't buy those out. Bonuses are guaranteed. To buy him out would save you apx 375k a year. And he can't be buried in Stockton or traded to Ottawa or any other club without his approval. Plus he has to be protected for the Seattle expansion unless he waves his protection again.

Comparing Neal's last season vs Lucic may show Luc may bring more to the table, but luc has been declining for 3+ years. Neal has had 1 declining season and showed 2 years ago some chemistry with McDavid at the ASG.

Even if the 3rd winds up being included this is a HUGE win for the Orange and Blue.

At the same time neither player could really return to their past team. Both fan bases were blaming team failure on them. Calgary wanted Neal gone for his lack of physicality and Edmonton wanted Lucic gone for lack of production. And i think its fair to say both players wanted to move on.
- wreckage

Agreed the Lucic contract is egregious and likely a ticking time bomb for the Flames.
But when you say Flames fans wanted Neil gone because of his lack of physicality you are wrong. He was brought to Calgary the produce offensively and he was invisible even though he was spoon fed quality ice time and opportunity for most of the season. The game has passed James Neil by and honestly he could not even contribute on our fourth line last year. Alex Chiasson scored 22 goals last year and we all saw what that did for the Oilers.

Agreed the Lucic contract is egregious and likely a ticking time bomb for the Flames.
But when you say Flames fans wanted Neil gone because of his lack of physicality you are wrong. He was brought to Calgary the produce offensively and he was invisible even though he was spoon fed quality ice time and opportunity for most of the season. The game has passed James Neil by and honestly he could not even contribute on our fourth line last year. Alex Chiasson scored 22 goals last year and we all saw what that did for the Oilers.
- DEDDIE

Neal did not find a way to be useful. Some of these older guys that start to lose their touch find ways to change their game to still help the team. Neal did nothing. At least Lucic can intimidate.

If Neal can produce in Edmonton’s top 6 he will be a great addition or them. I think he will bounce back. Man Chiasson has a great year playing with McD.

Lucic was the better NHL player last year. So that's at least one scenario. And if both players are healthy scratched for the rest of their careers, the Flames come out ahead.

I guarantee anyone saying the Oilers won this trade didn't watch the Flames at all last year.

And to be clear, there are no winners in this trade. The Flames are just less losers.
- Hunkulese

If Lucic was the better player last year, then both teams are (frank)ed

If Lucic was the better player last year, then both teams are (frank)ed
- oilpatch

Lucic was at least physical. Neal was a ghost the vast majority of the season. He had flashes where it looked like he was getting it together, but he never did. He could have a huge bounceback though, and if he does this trade becomes Edmonton-favoured instantly. But right now, based on waht we saw last year, at least Lucic hit people.

Neither team really won this trade. As others have said, this is about who lost less, and right now, I'm not sure which team that is.