Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
Because he, as it stands today, can go where ever he likes on July 1, and the Flames could be left holding a goodie bag that has absolutely nothing in it. That cannot happen....in any scenario other than if they keep him, they are almost assured of a deep run in the post season.
With him, they look far from that now which then gives you pause to ask a simple question.
If they are nothing more than a bubble team with him, then exactly how much value does he provide to allow you to keep him with no certainty he will be back next year?
Obviously the preferred scenario is that he signs an extension before the deadline and this whole topic goes away. However, there HAS to be a contingency plan if he doesn't and that is a deal to recoup some draft picks which he will easily return.
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The Flames could trade Brodie in the offseason for more than they'll get for Backlund at the deadline.
If you trade Backlund, you're blowing a gigantic hole in the core of your team, and you're signalling that you've given up. You can't expect to go on a run without him, he starts 60% of his shifts in the defensive zone. I don't care if he's not great at faceoffs - he and Tkachuk have turned Troy Brouwer into 0.5 PPG player since he replaced Frolik (Or at least in the last 8 games, I don't recall how long Frolik's been out for).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beninho
If they aren't going to re-sign Backlund or think it will be difficult they need to get at least something for him at the deadline. Backlund is a very good player but I don't think he puts us over the top to a team that actually is contending. Right now this team is a dark horse for the cup and trading Backlund isn't like we are trading a critical piece of cup contender. Backlund hasn't been as good as last year and I do feel that second line is being driven by Tkachuk. Just can't let Backlund go for nothing
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This is what removing Backlund does:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Frolik
Mangiapane-Bennett-Hathaway
Hrivik-Stajan-Brouwer
Lazar
Backlund's not a critical piece? You want to go into the playoffs with a #2 centre with 15 career points and Sam Bennett as your #3?