This week in 2019 (July 19), the Edmonton Oilers did the unthinkable and traded Milan Lucic to the Calgary Flames.

Lucic had just finished his third year with the Oilers and had a poor season scoring 20 points in 79 games. He looked slow and often out of place and Edmonton knew it was time to move on from his mammoth contract.

In Calgary, they found a suitor who was looking to beef up their lineup after getting bumped out early in the prior playoffs.

Ken Holland worked the phones and took on James Neal in the trade. Far from an ideal option, Neal had a more favourable contract that Edmonton could get out of sooner than that of Lucic, at the very least.

But Neal flourished for the Oilers in the short-season scoring 19 goals and 31 points in 55 games. 12 goals and five assists came on the power-play where Neal helped operate one of the top power-plays in league history.

The Oilers are better with Neal in the lineup as he options much more options than Lucic did in his last year or two in Edmonton.

Neal did suffer and struggle with a foot injury throughout the season likely hampering some of his ability to contribute. Nonetheless, it’s undeniable that the trade worked out in favour of the Oilers.

Lucic, meanwhile, scored 20 points in 68 games for the Flames this year in a bottom-six role.

On Twitter: @zjlaing