[Rig-Rat]

Originally Posted by sns2

I hear ya for sure. It's all a gamble. Neal could have as putrid a year this year as he did last year. It could happen, but it is not likely based on 10 straight really good seasons, and his year in Vegas was real good. I think of us Joe Schmucks; most of us have a crappy year at work one out of 11 if you know what I mean. Maybe he thought he was God's gift. Maybe he didn't come to camp in shape. Maybe he had a terrible attitude. Maybe his relationship with his bosses was horrible. It was likely a number of these together. I guess we will see.

Lucic had the same drop-off, but two years in a row. His style of play, to be effective, is way harder on both the body, and the mind. Honestly, when he was not fighting every 10 or so games, his play tailed off considerably. I looked it up on hockeyfights.com, and he went from 6 to 4 to 2 fights last year.
Yes he still hit, and sometimes punishingly, but for those of us who watched him every game, it appeared he just cruised around, as if the game had passed him by. As I have said, I hope he rips the skin off the ball for you guys, and I hope Neal does too. I like the Flames. I really do.

However, the contract is an anchor. A really, really big one. You guys are more prepared to weather it, as you have a damn good hockey team, so he can play fourth line minutes for you. We never had that luxury. Still don't.

If Neal messes his pants we buy him out and replace him with a guy worth 4 million. For the Flames that is impossible. There is next to no cap relief at all.
Because so much of his contract is paid out, you will likely be able to trade him to a team needing to reach the cap floor by adding some type of sweetener. But, he's still got a full no movement clause, and if he falls in love with Calgary as a city and a team. He can politely say to your GM, "Uh... I think I am gonna stay right where I am thank you very much." He earned that right.

I know this. We have a really bad hockey team - stats don't lie - and it has given us something to be happy about. I am anticipating his best games to be against us next year. His best games over the last three years have been against you.

Fingers crossed for all of us long-suffering Alberta hockey fans. Watching Alberta boys who play on US teams bring Stanley to their hometowns in the summer has gotten really old.

I'll agree with this. Good post..
The Fan 960 broke down the Looch contract the other day and the way they went over it, it didn't seem too too bad as it was front end heavy and the Oilers have ate a lot of the big stuff.. Every year that passes it's not as bad. Don't get me wrong i still think we paid to much but hope it works out.

I'm totally on board with getting that dang cup back in Canada and of course in Berta would be best. At least Canadian players are bringing it home..