Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
To me if you want to find a silver lining, the Backlund injury likely gives the Flames a chance to get him signed to a three year deal at very reasonable money because the injury derailed what was shaping up to be a 15 goal 30 point 48 game season (25 goal, 50 point pace for 82)
He was on a one year deal looking to prove himself, and I'm guessing he and his agent won't look for the moon to get a longer term deal
opportunity
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IMO, 1/6 of the season hasn't proved enough to sign a guy for 3 more years, a guy that was dangerously close a couple times last year from going down to the minors.
Especially when that 1/6 of a season is 8 games.
He's done well, better then many had thought, and started out on the right path back, but IMO, he has to come back and keep up that pace for at least another 20 games or more, probably the rest of the season.
Signing him at this point after 8 games of a trial, is far too presumptuous that committing to him for another 246 games, everything is going to be a-ok and that this 8 game pace is indicative of the next 3 seasons.
The Flames still hold all the cards in negotiations, even if he does come back and have a great rest of the season. The Flames can easily argue that Backlund's got one proven (injuries or otherwise) season out of three and it was a contract year.