[united]

So happy for the Flames and Backlund. Seeing a guy who loves the team and city take a million dollar per year discount to stay is awesome, and the Flames re-signing him shows their intent on being a contender immediately.


A few years ago Backlund decided he wasn't content just being an NHL player, he wanted to be better. In a two year span he went from a bottom 10 Flames player in fitness to top 10, hired his own power skating instructor and went from a below average skater to an above average skater with terrific edges, and hired his own skills coach to help add some offence to his game. This was all on his own accord. He always had the smarts but his dedication to improving his own game really pushed him over the top.

Since he entered the league full-time he's been an elite defensive player, he just needed to add some offensive element. In his early years he didn't have the dedication. Finally he reformed himself and got trapped in Bob Hartley's tenure where he was grossly under-played and playing in a system where a centre's defensive responsibilities as they relates to supporting the defensemen are largely ignored. It should be no surprise that his game flourished once a semi-competent coach was hired, where he gets played a reasonable amount and in a tactical role that suits what a centre should do.

Backlund is so dedicated to his craft and fitness, and plays such an intelligent game, that I don't see much risk in his game dropping off a cliff by the end of his contract.

Terrific signing.