In regards to what I expect from Backlund, I was hoping for a 2nd line center. I think he is a very good 3rd line center when he is healthy. My problem is that he never plays ~80 games a season. It is hard to rely upon someone who has played less than 50 games in 3 of the last 5 seasons. When it comes time to re-up him, what are the flames going to be paying for? Is it the 50ish pt player that he could be when healthy with 2nd line minutes/linemates or is it the player who has never scored more than 40 points in a season? Points per game is great but you actually have to play the games.
For those saying that Monahan or Bennett has pushed him down the lineup, I somewhat agree if we were expecting a second line center. If he is instead a third liner then he is actually competing instead with players like Shore and Arnold. At that point it might be a value proposition that results in him being traded. How much do you want to pay your third line center? I agree that Stanley Cups are won with great depth at center but costs might warrant more value from paying Shore or Arnold plus a veteran winger in the top 6 (replacing Hudler) and paying a top 4 dman (presuming we keep Gio, Brodie and Russell).
Really it also depends at what time frame we are looking at. I was thinking in 3 or 4 seasons. I see Backlund at that point as expendable at his likely salary. The reason is that he is unlikely to sign a long term contract this year when Flames aren't going to offer him big money due to missing big portions of 3 of last 5 seasons and never getting 40 points.
|