Joined: May 2019
Posts: 408
Likes: 176
I don't think Neal is going anywhere unless there's a bit of a bounce back by him towards his normal 20G, 40P self. He isn't a good fit on the Flames who play a rush/transition style offensive game. They need to find a team that plays a cycle game and send him there with salary retention, or add a sweetener and send him to a team at the start of a rebuild. I think he's a Flame next year, but I do think the value on the deal is fair, just not the fit. Other deals that may work would be Neal to LA in a trade centered around Kovalchuk or Carter (if they'd waive to chase a cup with Calgary).
I wouldn't do the Turris deal unless its Neal heading back in the trade. Turris is maybe only marginally better than Ryan based on last season (though Turris was injured last year) and he has five more years at $6M (nearly double Ryan's salary).
Vegas won't move Tuch, especially within the division, unless a top quality RD with team control remaining comes back. Their ask off the Flames would likely be Andersson & Dube and perhaps even an additional mid round pick. Agree the Flames need to find a player like Tuch though.
I think I can live with the 2 x 2nds for TJ, but I really think they should get a cheap NHL ready player back given our three year Gio & Johnny window (those picks likely won't be playing on the Flames within this period). I like the Juulsen + 3rd trade idea to Montreal that's being floated around various ACGM's as he can step into Andersson spot on the third pairing as early as next season when Andersson goes up to Brodie's spot with Gio.