Milan Lucic “a bad trade for the last NHL goon”

[Celticman]

Is there a more obsolete NHL player than Lucic? His only value is that of the goon-enforcer role. Sure there is a need for tough players but they must be able to also play and produce. Think Tom Wilson of Washington. And compare Wilson to Lucic’s projected goal total for the season of 6 goals.

To make matters worse Lucic is earning $6M until 2022-23. And it gets better. Edmonton originally signed Lucic to his $42M contract but somehow managed to trade him to Calgary for James Neal. Neal is projecting to score 38 goals this year. So lucic, a terrible contract, terrible trade and terrible production. If Calgary were to buy him out would anyone want him even for the league minimum?

 

[chuckertmg]

Good topic; thanks for posting.

They both have limited skill sets and have been misused.

Lucic can be very valuable as a role-player but he’s not a primary goal scorer, and Edmonton trying things like pairing him with McDavid was not helpful to either of them.
I’d be happy with him on a third line at $3m, but he should be used to take advantage of his skill set.

If James Neal is on pace for 38 goals he’s also on pace to be -46 on the season, which if you consider the two numbers together is horrifying.
There’s something wrong with that guy that’s not just the Edmonton defence.

I think Lucic could be put on the ice in a number of different situations.
I’d be very careful when I put Neal on the ice.

 

[Celticman]

Good topic; thanks for posting.

They both have limited skill sets and have been misused.

Lucic can be very valuable as a role-player but he’s not a primary goal scorer, and Edmonton trying things like pairing him with McDavid was not helpful to either of them.
I’d be happy with him on a third line at $3m, but he should be used to take advantage of his skill set.

If James Neal is on pace for 38 goals he’s also on pace to be -46 on the season, which if you consider the two numbers together is horrifying.
There’s something wrong with that guy that’s not just the Edmonton defence.

I think Lucic could be put on the ice in a number of different situations.
I’d be very careful when I put Neal on the ice.

Good info! So far the Oilers are having plus minus issues with all their top players.

Connor McDavid C -6
Leon Draisaitl C -20
James Neal LW -23
Oscar Klefbom D -24
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins C -10

 

[The Oracle]

Neal doesn't metric out well 5 on 5 at all. Thus is why his +/- stats are terrible.

At this point he is a power specialist. I'm seeing Mike Hoffman in that light as well.

 

[glamphotographer]

Nylander only makes about $1M more, Nylander's contract is starting to look pretty good. But Darts thinks $6M for a goon is worth it.

 

[shack]

But Darts thinks $6M for a goon is worth it.

Lucic could eat up some of the draining minutes that Tavares and Matthews and Marner are playing. Keefe can get them down below league averages (like Babcock did) so they would be fresher, not for the playoffs, but for the World Championships, where players who don't make the playoffs go.

 

[superstar_88]

I think Dart liked the way Bab's coached. Give the 4th liner's like Gauthier plenty of ice time against Stamkos and company and get eaten alive. Last minute of a period too cause the stars can never get enough in between period rest.

 

[glamphotographer]

I think Dart liked the way Bab's coached. Give the 4th liner's like Gauthier plenty of ice time against Stamkos and company and get eaten alive. Last minute of a period too cause the stars can never get enough in between period rest.

I'm beginning to think Darts is really Mike Babcock in real life, I mean he went to McGill which explains why the close ties to Montreal. Wait a a minute...did I just compliment Darts?

 

[shack]

I'm beginning to think Darts is really Mike Babcock in real life, I mean he went to McGill which explains why the close ties to Montreal. Wait a a minute...did I just compliment Darts?

He just made, what on the surface seems to be, a decent looking post in relation to playing times in the playoff thread. It might bear taking a closer look.

If he makes a good post then it deserves respect just as much as the opposite scenario deserves criticism. After all, aren't we are ALL fair and reasonable guys? One of the prerequisites of the BFF club.