Quote:
Originally Posted by Wild GM
I think the closest comparison is Frans Nielsen who got a very similar deal a couple years ago, and I think Backlund would be younger now than Frans was then.
The Flames weren't competing with themselves. They were competing with the somewhat unknown market and potential of Backlund testing the waters.
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Great example **sarcasm*** ... maybe one of the worst ufa signings ever. Islanders dodged a bullet not being able to re-sign him,. 2 years later the Islanders are in the playoff fight with Barzal as their #2C. Detroit now has a 33 year old 3rd line C making 5.25M for another 4 years and are looking at a good chance in the lottery for the 2nd year in a row, If the Flames want Nielsen they likely could trade Brouwer for him if the Wings kept some salary.
In the UFA bidding war the usual winners are the teams that don't get their guy.