James Neal blames his former team for ruining his NHL career
James Neal hasn't recovered from his back-to-back cup runs with the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights and it shows. In 2018, he was signed to a 5-year deal for $5.75 Million average annual value by the Calgary Flames. Neal assumed he would be playing on the same line as Johnny Gaudreau, and that was his primary motivation for signing.
«I went there to play on his line, that's what I was signing, that's what I thought I was gonna do,» Neal added. «He's a special player, Johnny is. You know, he's so deceptive, his IQ's so high.»
Neal despite his success in Vegas and Nashville couldn't replicate the production as he had over the previous two years. In 63 games with the Flames, Neal only put up 7 goals and 12 assists, for 19 points.
To say the veteran winger feel off might be an understatement for someone who was part of the Vegas misfits crew(Which in reality, is a compliment to Gallant's system.).
From the Flames Neal was dealt to the Oilers for Milan Lucic in July of 2019. It was assumed to be a fresh start for Neal, but again his production lagged in 29 games, with only 10 points in total. He would then be bought out and eventually move onto the St. Louis Blues, where he signed a year deal and split time between the AHL and NHL, despite helping lead the Springfield Thunderbirds to the Calder finals against the Chicago Wolves he wasn't able to crack a full-time NHL role in the organization.
Honestly, it sounds like he's having trouble fitting into his role in different clubs and blaming the Flames is short-sighted, especially when you don't eat that humble pie after getting dealt for Milan Lucic.
Will Columbus be his final landing spot? Columbus is in the midst of a quick re-tool with high-end talent and a new head coach in his 2nd year, Brad Shaw.
| POLL | ||
Did Calgary ruin James Neal or did he simply fall off? | ||
| It's the Flames fault | 133 | 17.1 % |
| Neal just isn't good anymore | 644 | 82.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
