[Rumour] Dreger: Backlund is available. Garrioch: Shane O'Brien available too

[Hockey_Ninja]

I seriously think it will be a mistake to move him. Not Marty St. Louis bad, but still a mistake.

[Poe969]

Why do people think it'll be such a mistake? It really isn't working out for him here. You can make an arguement that he hasn't been given a chance or you can make an arguement that he hasn't done enough with the chances he's been given; either way it just hasn't worked out.

If he stays, he most likely won't become anything more than he is now which is a fringe NHL'er. If we get a prospect or a pick that turns out even as good as him then we haven't really lost anything. If we get a player that doesn't turn out to be more than him we will still be in the same boat. The thing is, if any player we pick up turns out better then we come out on top.

You have to put your personal likes for one player aside and think of what's better for the team. And if you want to get all personal, take it that he won't be given a chance here but if a team is trading for him then he'll get a better chance wherever he goes.

It's time to move on, it just isnt' working out.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Why do people think it'll be such a mistake? It really isn't working out for him here. You can make an arguement that he hasn't been given a chance or you can make an arguement that he hasn't done enough with the chances he's been given; either way it just hasn't worked out.

If he stays, he most likely won't become anything more than he is now which is a fringe NHL'er. If we get a prospect or a pick that turns out even as good as him then we haven't really lost anything. If we get a player that doesn't turn out to be more than him we will still be in the same boat. The thing is, if any player we pick up turns out better then we come out on top.

You have to put your personal likes for one player aside and think of what's better for the team. And if you want to get all personal, take it that he won't be given a chance here but if a team is trading for him then he'll get a better chance wherever he goes.

It's time to move on, it just isnt' working out.

Giving up on solid, cheap, good young players is something a stupid organization would do.

Also "Fringe" Nhl players do not have the production Backlund has had, which has been almost completely at even strength.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

What league do you coach in?

What league does Brent Sutter coach in now?

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Giving up on solid, cheap, good young players is something a stupid organization would do.

Also "Fringe" Nhl players do not have the production Backlund has had, which has been almost completely at even strength.

He hasn't been able to show anything when playing with anyone on his line; tallented or not. He is having a hard time staying in the lineup of a bottom 5 team in the NHL. He hasn't shown any sort of tallent level to even prove that he is a top 6 guy and even though he's defensively sound, he's not really a defensive specialist so bottom 6 isn't that great either.

I think the hawks gave up a few good young cheap players in the past and that seems to have worked out for them....

Fact is, he is on an affordable contract and he's in the ideal age BUT he's not doing anything to prove he should stay. And his contract is affordable but is it worth it? All he's really provided was a warm body so far, he hasn't really stollen any games with his offense and he hasn't saved any games with his defensive play.

I hope he's traded and I hope we get someone who develops better than Backlund has. I wish him the best but it's time for him to go

[DionTheDman]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

I seriously think it will be a mistake to move him. Not Marty St. Louis bad, but still a mistake.

So let's call it a Filip Kuba, Craig Anderson or Jarret Stoll-type brain fart.

[FBI]

Maybe we need a vote on this one. I certainly don't want to give up on backlund just yet.

[ricardodw]

maybe it will be an Ian White and Brett Sutter for Babchuk and Kostopolus kind of trade where 3 seasons latter Brett Sutter is the only guy in the NHL and he is just nominally in the NHL.

[alan21]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

maybe it will be an Ian White and Brent Sutter for Babchuk and Kostopolus kind of trade where 3 seasons latter Brent Sutter is the only guy in the NHL and he is just nominally in the NHL.

You mean Brett and what?!?!

[CliffFletcher]

Backlund's not a bust. But he will also never be a top-six forward. He's at best an average NHLer. And that's to be expected for a player drafted where he was. He wasn't mishandled, and he's not going to break out somewhere else. He is what he is.

[EYE_Overstand]

Originally Posted by FBI

Maybe we need a vote on this one. I certainly don't want to give up on backlund just yet.

A vote won't stop anything the team does haha

[edslunch]

Is Backlund worse than Galiardi or David Jones?

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by EYE_Overstand

A vote won't stop anything the team does haha

But maybe it will help us understand what people on this forum think.

[FlameZilla]

Yeah, I was thinking a poll was in order. I hadn't realised how polarised the fan base was about Backlund.

Maybe a choice between whether posters think:

A) Backlund is worth being patient with & keeping.

or

B) Backlund should be given up on ASAP.

[Poe969]

wow, when you skew it that way it just sounds bad. How about:

A) Should backlund be traded for assets
or
B) Should we continue to play Backlund on the 4th line

lol, it's kinda funny that the wording of the poll will dictate how people vote. It's more about the return. I don't want to "give up on Backlund ASAP" but if we get a good return for him then it's a win for us. How about a poll saying

A) Should Backlund continue to stay on the team
or
B) Should we trade Backlund for a 1st round pick

It's not as easy as just giving up on him or being patient because it all depends on what the returns are.

[kyuss275]

I like Backlund but for those that don't want him traded where do you see him playing? Even if they trade Stajan they will more than likely pick up a vet center for next year. Backlund is not going to take Monahan's spot. Calgary likes Colbourne in the 3rd spot. It pretty much leaves Backlund for next year at 4h line center to start with a chance to move up with injuries. That also leaves Knight still down with the heat.

Also for those that say play him on the wing who's spot does he take?

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by fotze

I think everyone would agree that he should be traded if the return is good enough. The debate is what that return is.

If the return is a 3rd, I'd like to keep him. Surely we can sell him when he is playing better than he is currently.

Thing is, if he's getting limited minutes on the 4th line, how does he get the opportunity to play better? If anything, have to take advantage when a team is hit with the injury bug. Otherwise, we are probably looking at a 3rd rounder/4th liner in return.

[puckluck2]

I wouldn't trade him even for a second rounder. The kid is an NHLer, something you can't say about the majority of second rounders.

[Robo]

Didn't management say they aren't going to trade him for the sake of trading him? They already turned down one offer why do people think we would trade him for a freaking third or second round pick. Backlund is a cheap third line centre anywhere he is redundant on our team I think the trade will be a cap dump plus good prospect that fills an organizational need. For the record I don't care if its colborne or backlund traded because they are the exact same type of player.

[Poe969]

If Colborne and Backlund are the samy type of player and Colborne only cost this team a 4th rounder then if we get more than a 4th for him, we come out on top.