Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinordi
Totally agree. Excellent second line center.
Problem is that he's tending down the roster. Last year was very likely his career year. He'll be 30 when we sign him and he'll likely be the second coming of Matt Stajan in the second half of a five or six year deal.
So there's the crux. He's a very useful piece, will likely continue to be useful for the next two or three seasons but he's rightly going to want a longer term than that.
Don't really know what to do. A bird in the hand is mighty convincing. He's a bonafide NHL center, teams need those to win. But there's that nagging feeling that he'll only be a component of a mediocre squad at his age and decline of he's relied on and paid to be a second line center.
Tough one, I'd probably lean on signing him to what he wants. Tough to walk away from a player like him at this point of the team's arc.
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Most forwards have their career years offensively at around 23, but what inclination is there that he's trending down the roster? It certainly doesn't show anywhere.
Backlund isn't a player who relies on speed or strength to play effectively. He isn't a player who will suddenly forget how to play hockey at age 30.
The comparison RRR made to Stajan continues to prove his lack of knowledge considering Stajan at his peak was never half the player Backlund is right now.
If the Flames get rid of Backlund, they may as well tear the team down because nobody on this team can do what Backlund does. The Flames get immediately worse at a time when they need to be competing.
Are people upset we paid a free agent Frolik what we did, who continues to be worth his salary 3 years into his contract?