Oilers and Flames Twitter exploded today with news today that the Edmonton Oilers have traded Milan Lucic to the Calgary Flames for James Neal.
Here’s Bruce McCurdy’s full and thorough report on the trade.
And here’s the Twitter-uption:
Sportnet’s Nick Kypreos
@RealKyper
Milan Lucic days as a @EdmontonOilers are over. With Lucic waving his no move clause it opens up the trade to @NHLFlames. At this point sounding like a 1 for 1 trade for James Neal. @NHL
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug @TSNRyanRishaug
Deal is still being fine tuned, paperwork getting done based on NMC, but should be finalized shortly.
Oilers fan Kim G @kimdg172
Thank you hockey gods! Arrivederci Lucic.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
Just following up on @GenePrincipe and @RealKyper — only Lucic/Neal involved with EDM retaining some money and including a conditional draft pick.
NHL writer Dimitri Filipovic @DimFilipovic
Huh I always just assumed the no move clause in Milan Lucic’s deal was referring to his style of play… This isn’t even worthy of one for one status. The trade is zero for zero. Yikes… The Oilers wound up paying Milan Lucic $26 million for 39 goals and 104 points. Savvy!
Sportsnet’s Eric Francis @EricFrancis
Lucic for Neal makes sense for Flames on so many levels, even though it’s worse to buy out Lucic eventually. Oilers will retain some salary and throw in draft pick. Neal was never going succeed here and the Flames looked endlessly for toughness. Lucic makes everyone in Cgy taller… After a quiet start to the summer the Flames are now on the verge of landing a new arena and the toughest player in the league.
Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson @NHLbyMatty
Wow. You’ve seen precious few Calgary-Edm deals but in this climate the Battle of Alberta isn’t anywhere near as fierce. Neal will hopefully give Nugent-Hopkins a winger on the second line… Holland and Treliving started talking about Lucic for Neal about two weeks ago. It’s the ultimate lateral move, two guys dying for change of scenery. Calgary wanted Reaves last summer, now getting Lucic to look after Gaudreau. Oilers badly need winger for RNH… There was absolutely no chemistry between Gaudreau and Monahan and Neal when he first got there last fall and Lindholm took the first-line spot. Neal wandered around in the desert, trying to find a home somewhere. Lucic might take Hathaway’s spot on 4th line with Derek Ryan… Treliving and Holland are good friends so easy dialogue between the two rival GM’s over Lucic and Holland. Sather and Fletcher were friends in Battle of Alberta days too but no trades until Fletcher went to Leafs and he traded for Fuhr and Anderson
TSN’s Bobby (Margarita) McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie
I do feel obliged to say this: the Lucic-Neal CGY-EDM trade is one for one. 😜
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski @wyshynski
Unless there’s something we don’t know about Neal, this is a coup for Ken Holland… I filed my trade grades on this, which will run when it’s official. I will say that this isn’t a catastrophe for Calgary. But there are several levels of shit you have to crawl through to get to catastrophe.
Oilers fan mo @MoeMesa
How many time you and I were livid because Lucic couldn’t engage. Especially during California trips.
Oilers fans Rebuild 4.0? @Josephk90
When Lucic crushes Connor in the battle of Alberta. You got what you wanted fans.
Hockey commentator Adam Proteau @Proteautype
Calgary deals James Neal to Edmonton for Milan Lucic. When the Flames and Oilers are getting more business done than some of our governments, something is truly wrong
Ian C- @IanC56
Lucic stays in Smith’s house.
Smith stays in Talbot’s house.
Talbot stays in Neal’s house.
Neal Stays in Lucic’s house.
ANARCHY
Courtney Theriault @cspotweet
And God said “Henceforth, the term ‘one-for-one’ shall no longer be used to exclusively mock the Edmonton Oilers.”
Oilers fan Raider Jesse @EdmontonRaider
I think it’s a good deal assuming our overall cap hit on Neal and the retained 6M or less at the end of the day and the draft pick isn’t in the top 3 rounds of next years draft
Oilers fan Cody Stuart @betamanic
Might sleep outside tonight, wrapped in the warmth and glow of Calgary’s reaction to this
Athletic writer dom luszczyszyn @domluszczyszyn
TRADE
Oilers: James Neal
Flames: Milan Lucic
Both way overpaid and likely over-the-hill, but much prefer the bet on Neal over Lucic.
Oilers blogger Copper and Blue Jeff Chapman @NewWaveOil
unless the oilers are swallowing 50% on the deal, there’s a good chance that the oilers win this deal. if neal doesn’t work out, they can buy him out for less than 2MM a year. yes, it’s for six years, but that’s STILL better than buying out looch.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler @scottcwheeler
Ultimately, the Oilers need more players at wing who can finish. James Neal’s decline last year was harsh but he has still averaged 29 goals per 82 games over the last three seasons. Milan Lucic has averaged 13. Seems like a no-brainer for Edmonton in a swap of bad contracts.
Oilers blogger The Oil Knight, Sean Patrick Ryan ☘️🏒SPR 🏒☘️ @Irisheyez41
Considering how many times Gaudreau dives every game, I expect Lucic to get about 45 PIMs a night just trying to stick up for Johnny Baby… I gotta be honest, I’m going to enjoy hating Milan Lucic now that he is a Phlegm.
Cult of Hockey writer Kurt Leavins @KurtLeavins
It’s not that there isn’t a certain amount of risk in James Neal. But on the face of it, it certainly appears that Ken Holland has acquired a legit Top-6 winger. Still waiting to see how the money shakes out here, though…
Steve Schulte @fatlossftw
Oilers won a fuggin trade! Still not a good team but nice to see.
Oilers fan @JoshuaForester_
What’s underrated about this trade is we now have a right handed sniper to set up on the left wall on the power play for one timers potentially letting Nuge slide to the second power play so it’s not so atrocious
Oilers fan RG3 @rascalgas
One key thing to remember: unlike Lucic, James Neal doesn’t have an NMC. If he underperforms, he can be left unprotected for the Seattle expansion draft.
Darren Haynes @DarrenWHaynes
I’m also hearing Charlie Huddy has been dealt straight-up for Jamie Macoun.
Oilers fan Ryan Donaldson @Maddawg81
Lucic has become unplayable. Neal still has a quality wrister. Play Neal with 97, at deadline move Neal.
Oilers Now announcer Bob Stauffer
@Bob_Stauffer
Re: Neal-Lucic.
After short off-season last year James Neal has joined Gary Robert’s Group this summer looking for improved results.
My guess is Connor McDavid will be fully onboard with acquiring Neal.
Flames will end up with “more” cap space once deal gets consummated
Edmonton Journal hockey writer Derek Van Diest @DerekVanDiest
While I agree Milan Lucic needed to be traded, sending one of the toughest guys in the league to your arch rival has to be somewhat concerning …
Oilers fan Jason Adams @AdamsOnHockey
Man, unless the retention is major and the pick is a first, hard to see this as anything but positive for Edmonton. Sail on, Lucic. All the best for you personally in Calgary.
Plus, Neal is an absolute prick to play against, and we badly need that.
Oilers blogger Alan Hull @alanhull
From CGY’s perspective…if they get salary retention from EDM and a pick, they’ve got the cap space and depth to eat Lucic’s deal for 1 yr.
In 12 months his contract will appeal to a team like OTT b/c of the cap hit being far more than the $.
They’re probably all free in a yr.
If Neal bombs in EDM they likely buy him out and are paying him for 6 years.
Could totally work out to CGY’s advantage if they play it right.
And:
Oilers fans should be hoping for a second coming of McDavid and Neal from the 2018 all-star game. They were fun to watch together.
Oilers fan James Gronau 🏒🇨🇦 @JamesGronau
This looks like a Neal to be moved sooner rather than later plan
Oilers fan Travelling Knuckleberry @RustyKnuckler
Actually the Oilers win this trade regardless!
Oilers fan Alan Smithee @oiler_country
Ken Holland – CHECK MARK!
We don’t know the full details of any retained salary but hopefully it is truly 1 for 1
Oilers fan Jeremy Thompson @Imahockeyguy
Trade makes total sense for the Oilers. If there is any reason to buyout James Neal, hes 1.9 against the cap as opposed to Milan Lucic who is almost 6. This gives the Oilers a better player today and better cap futures…. Lucic has always been a drive to the net style player that scores in dirty areas and can beat the shit out of anyone’s dad. Neal has always been skilled with the puck, drive both ends of the play and can score from crazy angles. It’s clear which the Oilers need more of right now.
Oilers fan Jac ; @Jackie_Bee16
Edm wins the trade no matter how you slice it. Lucic is a tough f*cker though. When Tkachuk causes fights and runs away, he’ll have someone to hide behind now
PuckPedia @PuckPedia
James Neal is 31 y/o LW, in yr 2 of 5 $5.75M Cap Hit.
-7G 19P in 63 GP
-On Ice 46.4% 5v5 GF
-48.6% Expected GF
-50.6% Corsi
-Scored 0.99 Points/60
If Neal was bought out next summer with 3 years remaining, Cap Hit would be:
Yr 1: $1.917M ($3.83M Savings)
Yr 2: $1.917M ($3.83M Savings)
Yr 3: $1.917M ($3.83M Savings)
Yr 4-6: $1.917M
Robin Brownlee @Robin_Brownlee
Ken Holland just delivered on the “guy capable of scoring 20 goals” he talked about with the acquisition of James Neal — 10 times with 20-or-more goals. Now, about that third-line centre Holland mentioned . . .
Rebuild 4.0?
@Josephk90
Neal is falling off the cliff like Dany Heatley did. Lost his elite skill and was not a very good hockey player to begin with, but man he he could shoot the pill. Will see if he clicks with Connor.
Jeff Chapman @NewWaveOil
no lie this is the most excited i’ve been since the playoff run
Oilers fan LOIL99 @LOIL99
Oilers don’t have to protect Lucic in expansion. All else matters not.
Nick Normandeau @NickSuave
YES!!! The Oilers got rid of their ‘Denver boot’!!! AND somehow got a top 6 fwd back instead of a guy like Eriksson! THIS IS AWESOME!! Fans need to get off Holland for “doing nothing” right now!
McOilers 🍁 @McOilers
The Lucic experience is over. I am sad. I am glad. I am relieved. He was a consummate professional and always had the right attitude. But it was time to move on for the team and for the player. I wish Looch all the luck in Calgary.
Ryan Rishaug @TSNRyanRishaug
Sounds like the NMC paperwork and the trade call are still to be completed. Not positive it gets officially completed today.
Oilers fan WheatNOil @WheatNOil
On the surface, this is a good deal for EDM, based on likelihood of bounce-back & especially b/c Neal’s deal is structured to be ‘buy-out-able’ (see my retweeted thread). However, I’m waiting on these details before making an initial verdict.
Hockey News writer Matt Larkin @THNMattLarkin
Hockey, all week: Hey, you like this tumbleweed?
Hockey, Friday at 4:00 p.m. YOU LIKE NEWS, HERE’S ALL THE NEWS OH YESSSS
Oilers Now broadcaster Brenden Escott @BrendenEscott
To those saying this move “redeemed” Ken Holland’s summer: consider that this was likely something he has been working on since before July 1.
Coyotes fan Phil the net Kessel @CoyotesAvs12
Lucic for Neal is a deal involving 2 disappointing players but I’d take Neal any day over Lucic. He’s been washed up for years.
Calgary hockey writer Kent Wilson
Kent Wilson
@Kent_Wilson
For Oilers fans wondering – Neal was AWFUL last year. His relative impacts were worst on the team. Worst ESP/60 rate. He dragged down anyone he played with. Scratched in final playoff game.
Maybe he bounces back next year, but he was the Flames worst regular skater.
Sportsnet Stats @SNstats
This is the 3rd trade between the two Alberta NHL teams
Previous deals:
Nov 8 2013
To Flames
D Ladislav Smid
G Olivier Roy
To Oilers
G Laurent Brossoit
F Roman Horak
March 3, 2010
To Flames
F Steve Staios
To Oilers
D Aaron Johnson
2011 3rd-Round Pick
P.S. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman told Bob Stauffer he heard the Oilers might be retaining 10 per cent of Lucic’s contract, which would be $600,000 per year. But Friedman said he was not certain this was the final deal.