Is it time to trade Mikael Backlund?

[Rerun]

So far this season he's played 17 games and has 2 goals and 4 assists.
This guy just isn't a top 6 forward and IMO never will be. Most nights I hardly notice him out there.... but that could be because he doesn't get a lot of minutes from Hartley (10:46 last game), which I assume is because Hartley doesn't think too much of him either.

I think the Flames are coming to a decision about him and I wouldn't be too surprised to see him traded this year.... after all, they have to make room for Corban Knight, somehow.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by Rerun

So far this season he's played 17 games and has 2 goals and 4 assists.
This guy just isn't a top 6 forward and IMO never will be. Most nights I hardly notice him out there.... but that could be because he doesn't get a lot of minutes from Hartley (10:46 last game), which I assume is because Hartley doesn't think too much of him either.

I think the Flames are coming to a decision about him and I wouldn't be too surprised to see him traded this year.... after all, they have to make room for Corban Knight, somehow.

That was clear years ago.

BUT, he can be a very good #3 center. Think Lombardi or even Stajan.

[devo22]

but if they do trade him, I hope it's to Detroit. He's the kind of player that would thrive there.

[GirlySports]

what would a Cammellari/Backlund package get?

[JD]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

BUT, he can be a very good #3 center. Think Lombardi or even Stajan.

He doesn't do anything well enough to be compared to either of those guys. Doesn't skate like Lombardi and isn't hard on the puck like Stajan is nowadays.

Backlund is a smart player but he really needs to improve his physical tools if he's going to make a serious run at being an effective NHLer. He doesn't win many footraces and gets knocked off the puck easily when he does have it.

[Nsd1]

Backlund for Yak-city, get it done Burkeasterbrod.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Yes /Where O Though Chris O'Sullivan.

[strombad]

They don't HAVE to make room from Corban Knight, and there really is no evidence to suggest that Corban Knight would be better than Backlund.

I'm comfortable with him being a #3 center, and I don't think he's got much trade value comparable to potential right now, so I think it would be silly to trade him.

Plus, keeping Stajan over Backlund? That doesn't make sense. Stajan is near apex and won't be part of this team when it's a contender, Backlund still could and has plenty of time to grow.

So, no.

[EYE_Overstand]

Without agree or disagreeing with trading Backs... Is there a Center for Center swap with a team available. Another struggling Center for ours?... Backlund seems off again... But trading him at the deadline or draft might be the best and to give him some more time.

We aren't in win now mode anyways

[Old Yeller]

He could be a really good 3rd line center for sure, but he's also only winning 45% of his draws, plus he's all over the map with face-off consistency... some nights he's winning 2/3rd's of all draws, other nights he's well... I don't know how many draws he took last night against a strong face-off team like San Jose, but he won 11%!!!!

Also I'm conditioned to keep waiting for his offensive breakout year.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

That was clear years ago.

BUT, he can be a very good #3 center. Think Lombardi or even Stajan.

Right now we have Stajan as #1, I place Monahan as #2, and Backlund as #3, and Colbourne as #4. I think Knight can do a better job as #3. I just don't see anymore upside in Backlund... or at least not as much as Knight.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Right now we have Stajan as #1, I place Monahan as #2, and Backlund as #3, and Colbourne as #4. I think Knight can do a better job as #3. I just don't see anymore upside in Backlund... or at least not as much as Knight.

Don't be fooled, Stajan will be gone and Knight is not better than Backlund or Colborne.

Knight is looking at 4th line duty.

[Caged Great]

In my opinion, he should not be traded under any circumstance for the time being. The problem with guys like Backlund and Baertschi is that they were the only shiny prospects at the time before the rebuild, so the expectations of their potential were heightened. Backlund was probably the best forward we had taken in the first round since Stillman, which in of itself is pathetic but that's another story.

Backlund as he is right now is a very good quality defensive forward that isn't completely lost in the offensive zone. The Flames will need guys like that on the lower end of the depth chart. Not everyone can be the next star player.

A championship calibre team needs good players on every line, and players that are well suited to the roles they are placed in. Backlund is capable of putting up 30 points or so while providing very good PK efforts and defensive play. He could emerge as our version of Alex Steen (prior to this season's awesomeness), someone that just makes smart defensive plays and can capitalize on other team's mistakes.

With Knight coming up, that's actually a good thing. Shift Backlund to the wing as Knight is better with the faceoffs and you have 2/3rds of a shut down 3rd line that can chip in offensively from time to time. Plus if Knight gets waived on an important faceoff, you have Backlund there who isn't terrible in his own right.

[codynw]

I like Backlund as a 3rd line center, or even 2nd line if he can get his offence going. No reason to give up on a young player like this in year one of a rebuild.

[codynw]

double post

[JobHopper]

A better question would be what can you get in return if you traded him by himself.

I can see him going to teams like LA, Phoenix or maybe Boston or Minnesota. A defensive team with depth.

What I've noticed about Backlund the last few games is that in the heat of the play, he's a step behind. It's like he doesn't anticipate and isn't ready for the play.

Could be tough trading him for a good return with the way he's been playing.

[bubbsy]

he's just not adding much value on the ice.

back on the 4th line in today's practice:

Pat Steinberg ‏@Fan960Steinberg 2m #Flames lines today: Galiardi-Stajan-Jones; Cammalleri-Colborne-Stempniak; Baertschi-Monahan-Hudler; Bouma-Backlund-McGrattan

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by strombad

They don't HAVE to make room from Corban Knight, and there really is no evidence to suggest that Corban Knight would be better than Backlund.

I'm comfortable with him being a #3 center, and I don't think he's got much trade value comparable to potential right now, so I think it would be silly to trade him.

Plus, keeping Stajan over Backlund? That doesn't make sense. Stajan is near apex and won't be part of this team when it's a contender, Backlund still could and has plenty of time to grow.

So, no.

If you go with the premise that Backlund isn't ever going to put up the points to be a top-6 center, then I think a case could easily be made for Knight. He's bigger, tougher to play against, and was a face-off specialist in the NCAA. These are all things you ideally want in a 3rd line/shutdown center. Their offense is tough to compare as Backlund made the jump to the NHL at a younger age, but Knight has been putting up good numbers in the AHL.

Basically if you don't think Backlund is going to take the next step (which I'm not yet convinced of) then I think Knight is a better option going forward.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by JobHopper

A better question would be what can you get in return if you traded him by himself.

I can see him going to teams like LA, Phoenix or maybe Boston or Minnesota. A defensive team with depth.

What I've noticed about Backlund the last few games is that in the heat of the play, he's a step behind. It's like he doesn't anticipate and isn't ready for the play.

Could be tough trading him for a good return with the way he's been playing.

Think we could get back one of those 4th round, or better, draft pics that we've traded away? Do we need an actual body?

[East Coast Flame]

I can't imagine getting any value back for him at this point. It's probably best to let him play out his contract and make a decision to cut bait or not then.