Quote:
Originally Posted by Love
You don't trade Backlund until you have another player that can play his minutes. Monahan can't. Bennett can't. Gaudreau can't.
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I understand that point of view and agree Backlund does his role better than anyone else on the roster could. This is about a long term move though and what the organization truly thinks about where they see players slotting. If the Flames believe Sam Bennett is a number 2 centre and Mark Jankowski will be a number 3 then Backlund would be the odd man out. Trading him now his value may never be higher and the Flames address one of there other needs. Losing Backlund potentially creates a hole but perhaps as Monahan, Bennett, Jankowski continue to progress and absorb his loss.