There's always this general theory in sports that you're not allowed to say anything discouraging about the team during the off-season as it might impact season ticket sales. Not sure what sort of person actually buys season tickets after they hear Neil say that he talked to LA the other day and it's all good. But the general idea is it's the GM's and coaches and players jobs to paint as rosey of a picture as possible and anything other than that is some sort of betrayal.