Quote:
Originally Posted by The Cobra
When you say "keep Lindholm and Hanifin", do you mean sign them to long term contracts? Becuase they are by far your best trade chips.
I don't think there is any chance that Backlund signs for one year. He just had a very good year. I expect the Flames would gladly give him 3-years at the same money he's been making. I expect some team would make him a better offer. No idea if he'd take it. Was it just Sutter, or is he simply tired of spinning his wheels here? It certainly did not effect his play this year, he is quite the warrior.
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Hanifin will be 27 at the start of the 24-25 season...so giving him 8 years isn't crazy IMO. If it were for around $6.5M then I'd be okay with re-signing him.
Lindholm is tougher...he will be 29 by the start of the 24-25 season...and 8 years would take him to 37 years old. But 200ft centers that can be a PPG with the right linemates are probably the hardest thing to find in the NHL. If you can re-sign him for around $8.5M then I don't think that is the worst - but anything more starts to become questionable.
Zadorov is interesting because he's probably cheaper in both term and contract length to re-sign. But with 14 goals last year you might never have a better chance to move him for a good return.
Toffoli is 32 by the time his extension kick in...he should be moved.
Backlund is 35 by the time his extension kicks in...he should be moved.
Tanev is 34 by the time his extension kicks in...he should be moved.
All three of those guys have been great Flames, and I would love to see Backlund be a career Flame, but honestly you can't sign guys into their mid-30s out of attachment to them. If they can bring you back 1st & 2nd round picks then you have to move them.