Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxman
I'm not going to reiterate an argument that has been made a million times. Everyone knows what I could and should reply - I won't bother.
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I wish you would, because I really don't know. The complaint made about this obsession with maximizing player values in trades is a legitimate one. The goal in signing Backlund to his last contract was not to get a great deal in a trade at the end of it. Backlund is a great player who helps the Flames win hockey games. In the next two, three, four years the Flames look like a team trending to a position where they will need a player like Backlund to win hockey games, and hopefully a championship. While I have no doubt they could get a great return in a trade for Backlund, I remain sceptical that that is the best decision—it certainly is not this year when they look poised to grab a playoff berth, and possibly not next year when they look to take another step on strides made this season.