Mikeal Backlund: Long term piece, or sell high trade bait?

[Vinny01]

When I look at the Flames I see a team that needs a stop gap legit number 1 goalie, a top line RW and a solid number 4 Dman. One refreshing part of this rebuild for the Flames they are stacked up the middle. Monahan will enter his 5th season next year and while only turning 23 is a veteran in the league. Sam Bennett has taken steps to be a better player defensively and has the ability to be a top 6, maybe top line centre and he is 21 entering his third season. Top prospect Mark Jankowski has been an impressive rookie and by all accounts is likely going to get a long look next year. 23 years old big body playing as our top line centre in the AHL.

Mikeal Backlund was drafted by the Flames 10 years ago and has really played well in the first 2 years of his 3 year deal. He has been healthy which was a problem early in his career. He is confident and you can see he makes plays now that he wouldn't have made 3-4 years ago. His 2 way ability is top notch and he should have been a Selke nominee this year.

Backlund is 28 years old entering the final season of his contract that pays him just north of $3.5M per season. He certainly is due a raise and could get a long term deal if he hits the market. With Monahan and Bennett the organizations long term hopes for the top 2 lines having a $5M+ 3rd line centre is a luxury they may not be able to afford (considering wingers Gaudreau and eventually Tkachuk will be paid big bucks). The organization appears to be committed to keeping Bennett at centre and Jankowski is coming so is there room to sign a 29 year old to a 5-6 year deal around $5M per?

The Flames have traded their 2nd rounder this year (Lazar is another centre option if Jankowski is not ready). They lack the assets to really improve their team in terms of trade. I am not sure they have the cap space to sign Bishop, Alzner, and Oshie (examples of UFA's that can solve their problems).

The fact that Jankowski is their best and most NHL ready prospect does it make sense to consider selling high on Backlund and perhaps land that top line RW?

Personally I think the Flames should set a maximum price they are willing to pay and try and sign Backlund to an extension on July 1. If he wants more money, term, or wants to see how the season goes they should shop him to fill anther need and hope internally the options are there to minimize the loss.

Risky going with 3 centres 23 or younger but Backlund is not an asset you lose for nothing and one the team should be Leary signing to big money and term

[the_only_turek_fan]

5 years 30 million. He is the heart and soul of this team.

[dammage79]

I don't know if I'd trade our version of Naslund or Alfredsson. Perhaps a bit Hyperbole dredging up those two names but I'll be damned if he isn't close to that.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

5 years 30 million. He is the heart and soul of this team.

5 yrs $25 million max.

[djsFlames]

The only way you send Backlund anywhere is if Jankowski pans out at center.

[Roof-Daddy]

Monahan isn't the greatest defensively, although improving
Bennett isn't there yet
Jankowski has 1 NHL game so far
Lazar was teetering on bust status this past season


This team, with a dependable goalie and a 4th top 4 Dman (Stone) is built to win now.

Trading Backlund would create too big of a hole down the middle right now, and we can fill those other two slots without trading him IMO.

[Caged Great]

If you can keep him under 6.25 million per over 5 years, you do it.

He is the most important forward on the team. Someone who makes everyone that plays with him better.

If you could build a forward group with a dozen guys with Backlund's intelligence, your team would be a favourite for the cup every year.

[Love]

This is a lottery team without Backlund. There isn't a single player in this organization that can replace his defensive presence and PK ability, not to mention his offensive generation.

[nik-]

Play aside. Mikael Backlund just seems like the most "proudest to be a Flame" guy on the team. Want him here for a long time. Hopefully the dollars are reasonable.

[Love]

Originally Posted by nik-

Play aside. Mikael Backlund just seems like the most "proudest to be a Flame" guy on the team. Want him here for a long time. Hopefully the dollars are reasonable.

The fact that he doesn't have a letter on his jersey is absolutely criminal.

[bigrangy]

Term is more important than dollars for Backlund.

3 years would be the sweet spot but I can't imagine he'd accept that.

Frans Nielsen is probably his closest comparable and he signed last summer for 5.25 until he's 38 (wow Detroit good luck with that)

I'd put a 3x 6.25, 4x5.75, or 5x5 on the table for Backlund on July 1.

[Displaced Flames fan]

He needs to be here long term.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I don't know if I'd trade our version of Naslund or Alfredsson. Perhaps a bit Hyperbole dredging up those two names but I'll be damned if he isn't close to that.

Backlund is nowhere close or similar to either of those players.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

Backlund is nowhere close or similar to either of those players.

He is just as Swedish as either of them.

[ripTDR]

I feel like Backlund is one of those players that you stay patient with his development early on and use him correctly, he turns into one of those depth players that will help immensely getting you to the playoffs in the regular season.

It's a tough question to trade him because of his relative obscurity and lack of flash...I think you have to keep him. The cap hit wont be too bad and the depth will pay off to get to the post season.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Fire

5 yrs $25 million max.

This is where my heads at. Ideally Bennett is going to be good enough to be a 2nd line centre. Jankowski is a gamble but I think he pans out in a third line defensive role. If Backs is willing to do 5x5 you do it. I don't want to lose him for nothing and do not want to overpay.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

He is just as Swedish as either of them.

And that is where the similarities end. He plays a different position, is better defensively, but nowhere near offensively talented as either player. Just a strange comparison.

By no means should the team trade Backlund but at the same time that is one of the most unrealistic comparisons I have ever read, why not compare him to Forsberg while we are at it.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Tough call. Great asset to have. There would definitely be a lot of interest in Backlund league-wide.

I'm bullish on Jankowski (the heir apparent), but he's only played one game in the NHL.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

He is just as Swedish as either of them.

has won as many Cups too

[N-E-B]

Backlund should be a Flame for life. It's baffling that he doesn't have an A on his jersey.