Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
I think people should see Backlund what he is, a third line center having a career year on an underperforming team. Don't pull a Bouma and overpay a guy that is over performing.
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I agree with your thoughts, and I'd also add, that even if this wasn't likely a better performance from Backlund then we should expect moving forward, and he truly is going to be a fantastic player for the next few years. Doesn't change the fact that his age and then subsequent contract he will earn moving forward simply doesn't align well with what this teams actual window will be based on our other key players.
We already have one player signed long term who's performance window is going to be a huge problem when it comes to how it relates to when our other core players will hit their prime, we can't afford another. If Backlund is going to end up getting core player money, the Flames have to walk away from him regardless of how good he might be or even if we think someone like Bennett is going to bust, he's just going to be too old and expensive when Johnny, Matt, Mono and Dougie hit their primes.