Based on the historic 90% increase in the salary cap since it was implemented 15 years ago (and fairly comparable year over year), it is not unreasonable to expect that the salary cap will increase by 30% from the first year to the final year of this contract. That would likely make the cap $104M in the final year of this deal, so 5.35M would represent a mere 5% of the total cap in the final year of the contract, quite acceptable for a 3rd line centre, especially one with Backlund's defensive chops. If he has dropped to the 4th line, it will be a bit of an overpay at that point, but that is also acceptable if it gives the Flames solid value during the peak of their window to win it all, which I believe will occur in approximately 2 years.
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