Don’t forget that pick and retention.

Lol does it really matter? (Barring 50% retention and or quality picks involved - which i would be surprised if there are)

Yeah a pick would make it not a one for one though.

Then I guess this whole post was wrong..

Yes.. Calgary is now paying less and got a draft pick for a guy who produced the same as Neal last year. It’s a 3rd line player swap in Calgary’s case, it’s a hopeful gamble for a top 6 in Edmonton.

Is retention and a pick confirmed?
Edit: nvm

Honestly, I would have rathered Neal than Lucic. regardless of the small saving in cap.

On your third line? Neal won't produce on the third line cause he doesn't want to be there. It was public knowledge that he and Peter's butt heads about ice time but he didn't earn any. He can go play in a top six with a couple elite players and produce. Lucic is a better fit on a third line than Neal is, production wise last year it's a wash, Neal will produce more in his role in Edmonton and Lucic will fill a role that Calgary was missing.

But for how long? Lucic is trending downwards fast. soon he won't even be 3rd line material. Neal on the other hand can at least continue to play in the top 6 with better players. Heck, with a rebound year next to McDavid, I foresee a team being interested in him in trade with some salary retention maybe. Lucic? I can't fathom, barring an absolute Renaissance year, having any interest in.

But hey, if Treliving was willing, maybe another GM could be. I've lost all sense of what makes sense and what doesn't anymore. This trade broke my inner AGM belief in myself. Lol

It was a shocker for sure. One of those things where we say it could happen a lot, but don't actually believe it will.