Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
If you are a Lightning or Hurricanes fan you probably don't worry about this stuff because there's a track record of team building but this is the Flames we are talking about. This isn't the Bruins here where the old guys they hung on to have a history of winning, this is the Flames which haven't had much in the way of success over the past 3 decades. 2004 was almost 20 years ago and the team has only made it to the 2nd round twice since then.
Rusic is largely an outsider that saw the Flames from afar in Toronto and one thing he's brought up a few times that makes a lot of sense is that this team hasn't done anything for decades. He's not attached to the players or this team like we the fans and the current management which is largely the same people minus Treliving. He's asked several times why fans and management are so worried about keeping a group together that's largely failed at making any progress towards winning a cup.
Lindholm and Backlund have some good seasons left but their next contracts will largely be paying based on past performance. It just seems like the players have the leverage now and any deals signed aren't going to age well at all for the Flames. If they sign these guys I'm going to support them and hope it works out but I hope Conroy can stand firm and not cave in during negotiations. To be fair to Conroy it appears he's done just that as he hasn't hastily signed anyone yet. However it plays out as a fan you just have to ride it out and hope that there's an infusion of young talent over the years that gives the team a boost when some of these aging players can no longer carry the team.
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I'm quoting your post as an example and not to focus solely on your comments alone.
I don't think anyone is disputing the general principle that the Flames should make moves to get younger. That principle does not need to be argued or justified. Conroy has endorsed it. It seems universally accepted.
However, that general principle - like all general principles - does not determine every individual contract decision. It is a factor but not the whole story.
This team intends to compete and it has one top-nine center signed past this year. As some have suggested, signing Backlund helps make the potential loss of Lindholm less as he is still a capable 2nd line centre. If Backlund is signed for two more years at a reasonable cap hit, then I have a lot of trouble thinking that it is an anchor of a contract. If by the last year Backlund is your fourth line centre, that means that some of your younger players have taken a step forward. As an example, the Leafs who have many younger superstars still find usefulness in Gio despite his reduced effectiveness.
The issue with Backlund will be term and dollars - as with all contracts. He's still an effective player and will be for a few more years.
Now, if Lindholm signs to 8 years and Backlund signs for 4 years all at higher cap hits, then your worries are completely valid. We just don't have that information.