Quote:
Originally Posted by Rerun
I disagree. The rookies will learn a lot more with Stajan as a team mate than they ever will with Backlund. IMO, Backs has nothing to offer to the developing rookies and the Flames overall, that cannot be found elsewhere with more upside potential.
Upside potential.... that's what I see it coming down to. IMO Backs has either none or very little left and frankly there are players in the system who I believe deserve a chance to be here and have tons of potential..
After all, this is a rebuild. Lets give these players a chance.... especially this first year, which is likely to be the worst year (team performance wise).
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24-year-old former 1st round pick, finally starting to play well but not getting stats results on a line with McGrattan & Jackman FFS, and you think having Stajan around is better for a
rebuild. Matt Stajan. Seriously. You actually think that, having seen both these players on the ice for the last 3 years? What are these youngsters going to learn from Stajan? How to be mediocre at faceoffs? How to score at .5 PPG despite prime icetime? How to skate frustratingly slowly?
Backlund isn't around to develop rookies; he's around to be their teammate. The guy plays with heart, works his arse off out there & has the skillset (speed, size & IQ) to be a player. He is nowhere near his 'ceiling'. There is no reason to believe he cannot improve. Stajan is having his 'best' season as a Flame, and he's terrible. He might get a decent trade return because his contract is, for this season only, really appealing to a team that needs to pay to the cap but spend less money. Make no mistake: Backs is one of our most valuable assets. Stajan is worth next to nothing.