Is Ken Holland the best GM in the NHL? He just pulled a "Bargnani" on the Calgary Flames.
I dunno.
Milan Lucic seems to come with fringe benefits.
He signs with Edmonton - the team immediately announces a new arena.
He signs with Calgary - the team immediately announces a new arena.
Coincidence? Only the shadow knows....
Remember James Neal was a liability with Calgary last year - he looked slow and they were a worse team with him on the ice; so much so that he was a healthy scratch in the playoffs.
$5.75 million per season is a lot to pay someone to watch from the press box.
Flames feel they have other people who can score goals, they wanted Lucic for some toughness after being bounced in the first round last season.
Let's admit it was a trade of two really bad contracts, and Edmonton maintained a portion of Lucic's salary.