You're not getting the 3rd back from Detroit, the 22 1st IS the cost of Neal.

And Detroit will want a 2021 first not 2022.

I would say the cost is two 1st round picks as Neal has 2 years left.
And they would rather have 2022 and 2023 as they are projected to be stronger drafts.

Detroit would rather have a 2022/2023 1st because they are deeper drafts. Teams will be more willing to move 2021 1st rounders because the draft is weaker and full of uncertainties with lack of scouting due to Covid.

2x 1sts would be an overpayment. One 1st, two 2nds, or something along those lines. EDM fans will get the pitchforks out for any suggestion of multiple 1sts though.

EDM is not getting a 3rd back in that deal.

Just my 2 cents.

I don't think I'd want Neal at any cost.

Detroit isn't short of wingers and would have to waive a player to get Neal a roster spot. Buying him out would spread the cap out into territory when Detroit will be good enough to need it themselves.

That only leaves the option of waiving Neal and sending him to GR, which means he's useless as an asset.

If we're using Staal as the litmus test for salary dumps this would put the cost firmly in two 1st round picks to take on Neal. Two years instead of one, 75% higher salary (same cap), player not useful like Staal was.

Besides, Yzerman has said publicly that he'll only take on players that are useful to the team.