[Rumour] Dreger: Backlund is available. Garrioch: Shane O'Brien available too

[Hugh Jahrmes]

1. Play on 4th line, lower value
2. Announce player is available
3. ???
4. Profit !

[_Q_]

I think the acquisition of Colborne and the subsequent emergence of him has kind of made Backlund expendable. Colborne, to me can be a solid 3rd liner with top 6 upside.

With that said... I think Backlund can get us a 2nd rounder by himself, or be added in a trade with a vet player to sweeten the deal.

[May 25, 1989]

Originally Posted by Red John

Comparable and upside of him was always Patrick Berglund but it looks like it won't happen on this team under this regime.

Don't really like moving Backlund at this point as you likely won't get much for him but he'll likely have even less value as a pending UFA next year so let's see what Burke can do.

Berglund? He's 6'4 and had 20 goals as a rookie. That projection isn't happening under any regime.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Difficult player to get a solid read on his value. Any ideas? A 2nd rounder?

I don't want to see Backlund traded for a 2nd rounder. I like him as a 3rd line center and still think he could turn into a solid two-way, 40 point player. If he is traded, I hope the Flames get a more NHL-ready player back. I don't like the idea of going into next season with Monahan, Knight, Colborne and Reinhart as the only centers so I'd like to see a C coming back.

[MrMastodonFarm]

I wonder if a team like the Leafs are looking for centre depth at the moment. Bolland and Bozak are both out right now so they've got Trevor Smith, Peter Holland and Jarred Smithson slotted down as 2, 3, and 4.

[EYE_Overstand]

Backlund for another teams Backlund would be ideal.. Instead of C maybe a RH RW

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Jake

I don't want to see Backlund traded for a 2nd rounder. I like him as a 3rd line center and still think he could turn into a solid two-way, 40 point player. If he is traded, I hope the Flames get a more NHL-ready player back. I don't like the idea of going into next season with Monahan, Knight, Colborne and Reinhart as the only centers so I'd like to see a C coming back.

I think you'll see the Flames sign Stajan to an extension. He'd have some value but would be the smarter move to trade the wingers in Stempniak and Cammalari.

[kn]

I still remember when he was drafted, McGwire compared him to Kopitar.

Yeah...

Anyway, Backlund has never lived up to expectations and needs a change of scenery. A second round pick sounds fair.

[puckluck2]

I've said it for at least a couple years that he would fit in as a Wing perfectly and I bet he ends up as s Wing before the end of the year. He's being underrated big time.

[mrdonkey]

Not surprised. The organization seems higher on Colborne for that #3 spot at the moment, and eventually guys like Jankowski and Knight will be pushing for his role as well. As much as I like Backlund I would not be upset to see him traded to fill other organizational needs.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by nik-

Then play him on the second line. Don't demand more offense and then bury him with Jackman and McGrattan.

They have given him many chances on the top 6 over the last couple of years. I really like Backlund but other than a couple of games here and there he has not looked like a top 6 center. Nothing wrong with being a 3rd line center but something tells me that they want a big guy like Colbourne or Knight as the 3rd line center.

[Roof-Daddy]

Coming out of the lockout last year, I saw a lot of confidence and "fight" from Backlund. He was feisty, played with an edge and looked poised to break out offensively.

He's taken a step back this year IMO, and he still isn't able to regularly beat out Stajan, 23 year old rookie Colborne, or 19 year old rookie Monahan for ice time.

That's two rookies and an average at best 2nd line center he can't legitimately wrestle ice time from.....so this isn't much of a surprise I guess.

Hopefully if he's moved he nets the Flames an OK return that they can work with going forward. I wouldn't mind a big, physical, right handed defenseman from the same age bracket....someone like Dalton Prout, Michael Stone or Eric Gryba.

[Dion]

Not surprised to hear about the trade rumours. Backlund has struggled this year when it should have been his breakout season. If other teams see value in Backs I hope Feaster can get a good return.

[sureLoss]

calls it kicking tires right now

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 24s
4 or 5 teams have kicked tires on Calgary's Mikael Backlund. Flames willing to move him.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Coming out of the lockout last year, I saw a lot of confidence and "fight" from Backlund. He was feisty, played with an edge and looked poised to break out offensively.

He's taken a step back this year IMO, and he still isn't able to regularly beat out Stajan, 23 year old rookie Colborne, or 19 year old rookie Monahan for ice time.

That's two rookies and an average at best 2nd line center he can't legitimately wrestle ice time from.....so this isn't much of a surprise I guess.

Hopefully if he's moved he nets the Flames an OK return that they can work with going forward. I wouldn't mind a big, physical, right handed defenseman from the same age bracket....someone like Dalton Prout, Michael Stone or Eric Gryba.

He's only not ready to beat out Colborne if you completely ignore Colborne's lack of production.

[OutOfTheCube]

A second round pick would be an extraordinary return for him at this point.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

A second round pick would be an extraordinary return for him at this point.

No it would be fair. Nothing extraordinary about it. If a second round pick turns into a Mikael Backlund then that would be extraordinary.

[van fan down by river]

pipe dream:: Backlund for Chris Stewart??

that would give STL 3m+ to go after Miller.

[saillias]

Kicking tires is a strange English idiom that makes me scratch my head

[Fan in Exile]

I'm reminded of Kyle Turris. I think Backlund will do well once he's moved. Hope Colbourne or Jankowski are able to justify this done the road but I don't see Colbourne outperforming Backlund either now or long-term.