People are so impatient - it is not the time to trade Backlund, either with respect to him as a player, or with respect to the rebuild.
As it stands right now, Backlund is our 2nd most talented centre.
As far as the rebuild goes, I would hold onto him until I learned:
a) how good he can be
b) what we've got in Jankowski
c) whether or not we end up with another top C prospect, like Reinhart or McDavid, and
d) how the other guys - Knight and Colborne progress.
In other words WAIT TWO YEARS.
IF any other players push him out of the lineup - great. If he develops into something more - great. He either becomes an important piece or his trade value goes up.
To suggest we need to trade him now because his value may continue to fall is silly. His value isn't high now, so you won't get anything for him. So there is little cost in waiting. Plus, the Flames need him right now.
Patience.
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