Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
You don't give players like Backlund 8 year deals as he's not a first line player and he is coming off what may be his career season. He's a good player and great guy but I feel like fans are going a little overboard here.
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Great points.
Presumably you go 8 years if the AVV is low enough.
Or you go 8 years if that is what he needs to get to sign with us and the Flames consider him an important part of their SC chances.
It's hard to imagine a scenario where Backlund leaving increases the Fames SC chances.
He handles the tough minutes on the shut down line. Players like him are often underrated by fans but seldom by GM's.
While extending him now is indeed risky, if you wait and he has a great first half, he might be a difficult extend then as he gets closer to UFA.
While I understand he might have a pretty tight tie to Calgary, lots of similar players change clubs in those same circumstances. I wouldn't bet on him giving away the farm to stay here.
But my gut reaction is that he will sign a 6 year deal for about $5.5M- 5.75M. And that's less than he would get as a UFA if he duplicates his year.