Trade Talk: Chris Neil A Valuable Trade Piece, “Neil Deal” In The Works?
By Jack Leiper
Neil a Valuable Trade Piece
Chris Neil could be the most recent long-time Senator to pack his bags.
Chris Neil: A Known Playoff Agitator. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sport
Neil’s name has come up in trade discussions. With the march 2nd trade deadline rapidly aproaching, Ottawa has a number of questions to answer.
The initial reports can be traced back to the Ottawa Citizen, where a piece from Wayne Scanlan had mentioned Bryan Murray had held talks with (Chris) Neil and Phillips regarding a potential trade.
That report came January 21st, and despite talks on Phillips having cooled, Neil is still very much active on the trade front. NHL insider, Pierre LeBrun mentioned on “TSN Insider Trading” a while back that the Senators were getting “a ton” of interest on Neil.
"They’re getting a ton of interest on Chris Neil. Here’s a guy with another year on his deal. He’s not a UFA, so nothing really has to happen there.Except teams are calling. Chris Neil indicated to Bryan Murray recently, ‘I’d rather stay in Ottawa’"
This, documented via Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey). link here.
LeBrun went on further to say that despite Neil’s claims of wanting to stay in Ottawa, it’s something Bryan Murray needs to seriously consider and could still indeed happen.
That’s where we are with the situation today.
We are less than a month from the trade deadline and it appears as though a potential “Neil deal” could happen. Neil has been a solid 3rd/4th line player for the Senators, and you can really understand why a team would want Neil in a playoff series.
The ideas of grit and leadership are ones often overlooked by fans today, and for the right reasons. Grit and leadership don’t drive possession and they certainly don’t directly impact pucks going in the net.
I saw a joke on twitter from Mike (@gosensgo101), who teased about every NHL team accepting NHL “analytics” and how Neil could be of use in that category.
Can we stop talking about how every team has bought into analytics? MT @SensUnofficial: LeBrun "Sens are getting a ton of interest in Neil"
— Mike (@gosensgo101) February 3, 2015
However, despite the analytics movement, I think you have to look beyond it as a hockey fan and accept that a player like Neil still has a felt presence in a game, especially a playoff series.
He may only get 5-10 minutes a night, but in the middle of a heated series those 5-10 minutes could end up being extremely useful for a contending team like Nashville.
NASHVILLE INTERESTED
And that’s where a team like Nashville comes into the mix of potential suitors.
The report comes from Andy Strickland, a St. Louis Blues reporter, who claims the Predators are said to be “aggressive in pursuing Neil”
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The preds could become a welcome new home for Neil, as he would meet back up with former teammate, Mike Fisher. Strickland’s report also claims that the Blues are on Neil’s no trade list, which is interesting considering their current position.
In looking at Nashville’s current lineup, we see a bottom 6 of a mix of veteran and younger players. The real highlight to Nashville’s game is their strong defence, where offence does come second. They still lack true depth up the centre and although Mike Ribeiro is having a great season, it is hard to trust him to deliver at this point in his career.
Neil could step in and immediately have an impact for a team like Nashville and considering the likely asking price and interest around the league, you can understand why Nashville is a suitor.
WRAP-UP and POTENTIAL RETURN
Neil certainly holds value in the eyes of some. It’s understandable, and until Neil’s injury he was a regular in Paul MacLean‘s lineup and was having a good season.
In discussing potential return, I think Ottawa does this deal to clear a roster spot. Perhaps Bryan Murray doesn’t see a need to keep Neil around and in gauging interest has determined there are club’s willing to pay for Neil’s services.
Maybe a team dangles their 2nd round pick or a 3rd/4th round pick with a prospect.
Neil is worth what someone is willing to pay for him, and in the terms of a contender like Nashville, maybe a team dangles their late 2nd round pick or with 3rd/4th round pick with a prospect.
Important to note is that Neil is not a UFA and is under contract for next season, another reason someone may be willing to pay more for Neil as he not a rental.
Come the trade deadline, a deal for Neil could be in the works and if it is.. teams will come calling. Bob McKenzie reported at least 8 or 9 teams had called about Neil and although he holds a limited NTC, he could be on the move.
It’s an interesting story to follow for now, as Neil could be the most recent long-time Senator to leave town.