Quote:
Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy
One thing I hadn't thought of, and I wouldn't put it past Treliving to do this, is if Flames management doesn't think the team is quite ready yet, they could sell Backlund at the deadline to recoup a 1st and 2nd round pick (maybe even more, think Hanzal trade +) and then let the season play out.
Come the off-season they can look to upgrade on Backlund as the #2 C via trade, or if by some miracle Tavares does test free agency they will have the flexibility to push all their chips in on him. Or, if none of that works out they can always circle back around to Backlund again.
|
The Flames cannot sell off Mikael Backlund for picks. They are not a bubble team with a bunch of overachieving rookies. They are a team with a shot at home ice in round 1, with a 35 year old starting goalie, no first round pick, and the top 5 defensemen making nearly $26M combined. The captain is 34, and though he is still elite you have no idea how long you can rely on getting $6.75M Gio.
The Flames are all in this year. They may not win it all, they may not make it out of round 1. But they will for sure not win it all or make it out of round 1 if they trade Backlund for picks. That's the sort of thing that makes a player like Gaudreau demand a trade.