This thread is a big Backlund love-in but I've never been that impressed. I appreciate his past services but it's time to move on. When the games get physical (ie: playoffs), he seems to disappear. 2 playoff goals in his career and he presently has the worst +/- on the active forward roster. But I'm sure he'll improve once he hits his prime mid-way through a 5 year contract at age 32, right? (reference see: Stajan, Brouwer) It's great that he loves our city but I'd rather put my priority on winning a championship. Put the cash towards signing Tkachuk long-term and get a young player who's not afraid to play a physical game grow into Backlund's role. Backlund is the kind of player you like to play against and he'll soon be on the decline. That's the reality and this is a business.
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