Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinordi
Continuing this thread's topic to not talk about Jankowski...
I think you're dreaming if you think Backlund can be signed for anything south of 6 million.
Look up his comparable centremen. Dubinsky is getting paid 5.9, Bolland 5.5, Brassard 5, Zajac 5.75, Duchene 6, Staal 6, Plekanec 6 (!), Stepan 6.5, Kesler 6.875.
Here's a table breaking them down.
http://dobberhockey.com/frozenpool_c...-2017%3AR%3A99
Next to Kesler, Backlund's has had the best season of any of those guys.
So yeah, Backlund is going to be making more than 6 million if he's being compared to his peers. |
Time will tell. Backlund is having a career season but next season could easily fall back closer to his career norm. This would be the worst time to enter any long time contract negotiations as that's why the team is saddled with Gio's long term cap hit which may be costly in four years. His trade value will be at an all time high for sure so if the team ever wanted to make a big move for a young skilled RW this would be the summer to do it. I don't think the team can fit him into their long term plans if he's going to be looking at a contract in the area of $5+ million for five years. You can't pay top dollars to your star players like Gio, Monahan, Gaudreau, Hamilton and keep giving raises to everyone on the roster. Something will have to give.