Main Camp Day 1 - Kylington will not take part of first day of training camp

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Ok, then he can go get more somewhere else. The Flames can't be paying their 3rd line C more with the other contracts they have.

They can, because it's fair. Backlund at $4M would be a steal for the first couple years. Then you assess from there. If the Flames haven't taken a step, you trade him to a contender

[Saqe]

A four year deal for a 35 year old non-star player is insane.

[flambers]

For Backlund, if he was resigned, I sure hope the deal is no longer than 2 years

At that stage, he is likely a 4th line center.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Saqe

A four year deal for a 35 year old non-star player is insane.

Our old GM gave a 37 year old face puncher a 3 year deal this summer.

If the price is low I am not opposed but 4 years feels long for Backlund to keep playing.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Our old GM gave a 37 year old face puncher a 3 year deal this summer.

If the price is low I am not opposed but 4 years feels long for Backlund to keep playing.

The AAV has to drop significantly is he gets four years. Even three is pushing it for me. I would give him a one year deal for five million any day of the week and twice on Sundays compared to even a two year deal. Any term is risky with these 35+ deals.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by 1Nite

Lots of speculation, wondering if some of those big hits he took his last season is affecting him physically and mentally.

This has been my thought all along, at least be part of it. He took a couple scary/devastating hits. The one where he went into the boards all twisted up and awkward... looked terrifying. I could easily see how that could really spook a guy.

I know it's a silly comparison, but in Bantam AA when I was 14 I took a devastating hit, ended up with a broken collarbone and a bruised spinal cord. It took every ounce of fun out of hockey for me, and when I finally got back on the ice 2.5 months later, I ended up playing the next 2 years basically for my parents. Even though I was a big strong kid and I hid it well, I was terrified to go into corners or near the boards. I also felt guilty at the idea of quitting after all they support they gave me over the years. I can''t imagine the mental gymnastics you'd be doing internally with millions of dollars on the line if this indeed is the case.

Regardless, it's all speculation, and whatever it is, this is just a stupid game. If the guy is suffering in any way he can't perform his duties, it can't be held against him. I wish him the best, he seems like a super nice guy, and super smart guy.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

They can, because it's fair. Backlund at $4M would be a steal for the first couple years. Then you assess from there. If the Flames haven't taken a step, you trade him to a contender

By the time you figure out whether the team has taken a step (say a year or two) Backlund will have lost all value if he has a 4 year deal. Contenders won’t have the cap room to take that on in subsequent years.

A 3 year deal is probably the sweet spot. And if he doesn’t like that, I think the best decision for the team is to move on. His trade value will never be higher as any kind of long term deal is always going to be a drag on that value.
If you’re going to make a mistake, it’s better to cut ties too soon rather than too late.

[Bill Bumface]

What does all this have to do with Kylington?

I'm genuinely worried for the guy. This can not mean good things for his life, and that's a tragedy.

[BagoPucks]

There is lots of life left to be lived outside of hockey. Sure maybe his path is not expected but lots of life and joy left for him

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by pylon

This has been my thought all along, at least be part of it. He took a couple scary/devastating hits. The one where he went into the boards all twisted up and awkward... looked terrifying. I could easily see how that could really spook a guy.

I know it's a silly comparison, but in Bantam AA when I was 14 I took a devastating hit, ended up with a broken collarbone and a bruised spinal cord. It took every ounce of fun out of hockey for me, and when I finally got back on the ice 2.5 months later, I ended up playing the next 2 years basically for my parents. Even though I was a big strong kid and I hid it well, I was terrified to go into corners or near the boards. I also felt guilty at the idea of quitting after all they support they gave me over the years. I can''t imagine the mental gymnastics you'd be doing internally with millions of dollars on the line if this indeed is the case.

Regardless, it's all speculation, and whatever it is, this is just a stupid game. If the guy is suffering in any way he can't perform his duties, it can't be held against him. I wish him the best, he seems like a super nice guy, and super smart guy.

This is a great take. Kylington got hit a few times harder than I've ever seen into the boards...

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Saqe

A four year deal for a 35 year old non-star player is insane.

2 max.

Year to year is actually wisest, but apparently Calgary is unappealing to nhlers now so we have to be extra generous and accommodating

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Backlund is a good human, no point in arguing that.

He's also been a good investment on his five year contract.

I don't want a 3 year extension at the same dollars though, I'll agree to that. But if it's a two year extension at lesser dollars than yeah give him the C and move on.

The anti Backlund camp has always astounded me, and it's continued to do so for the last 5 or so years.

I bet you he's going to be in the khl next year.../s

If you know you know....

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by pylon

This has been my thought all along, at least be part of it. He took a couple scary/devastating hits. The one where he went into the boards all twisted up and awkward... looked terrifying. I could easily see how that could really spook a guy.

I know it's a silly comparison, but in Bantam AA when I was 14 I took a devastating hit, ended up with a broken collarbone and a bruised spinal cord. It took every ounce of fun out of hockey for me, and when I finally got back on the ice 2.5 months later, I ended up playing the next 2 years basically for my parents. Even though I was a big strong kid and I hid it well, I was terrified to go into corners or near the boards. I also felt guilty at the idea of quitting after all they support they gave me over the years. I can''t imagine the mental gymnastics you'd be doing internally with millions of dollars on the line if this indeed is the case.

Regardless, it's all speculation, and whatever it is, this is just a stupid game. If the guy is suffering in any way he can't perform his duties, it can't be held against him. I wish him the best, he seems like a super nice guy, and super smart guy.

I totally forgot about that play when he went twisted into the boards. I thought for sure he was seriously injured.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

By the time you figure out whether the team has taken a step (say a year or two) Backlund will have lost all value if he has a 4 year deal. Contenders won’t have the cap room to take that on in subsequent years.

A 3 year deal is probably the sweet spot. And if he doesn’t like that, I think the best decision for the team is to move on. His trade value will never be higher as any kind of long term deal is always going to be a drag on that value.
If you’re going to make a mistake, it’s better to cut ties too soon rather than too late.

First, we don't know that 'Backlund will have lost all value' in a year or two - smart two-way Cs are always in demand with contenders.

And second, retaining some salary for the final two years can really up the value.

I agree that a a 3 yr deal is preferred, but the 4 yr deal likely comes at a lower cap, so it's a trade-off. And it's certainly more workable than you're making it out to be in this post.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I would take a higher cap hit on a shorter deal.

If we are talking 2 years at 4 or 4 years at 3.5 I'm going 2 years.

In year 2 if he's playing well you can still sign him if his play slips you can still sign him to a lower cap hit.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

I would take a higher cap hit on a shorter deal.

If we are talking 2 years at 4 or 4 years at 3.5 I'm going 2 years.

In year 2 if he's playing well you can still sign him if his play slips you can still sign him to a lower cap hit.

Sure, but what if it's 2 years at $5.25 vs 4 years at $3.5? In that case, I would take the longer deal.

This is why I listed it year-by-year in order to come up with some numbers - your example is just 2 random numbers.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Sure, but what if it's 2 years at $5.25 vs 4 years at $3.5? In that case, I would take the longer deal.

This is why I listed it year-by-year in order to come up with some numbers - your example is just 2 random numbers.

I’d still go 2 years with those numbers you have lot more flexibility in year 2 depending on team situation. You would hope we would have developed a younger replacement by that time as well.

These are just thoughts anyways. Who knows what is actually going on in his mind. Maybe he will stay for a discount maybe it’s a money thing. Doesn’t even seem like they have had meaningful discussion but we aren’t in the room.

[blender]

Anyone hoping for 2 years at 4 is dreaming in technicolor.
He was worth 6-7m last season based on his performance.
Maybe you get him at 4m if you give him 4 years term, but 2 years he is going to want at least his current AAV, if not more.

[Groot]

Backlund was 6th in Selke voting last year (Lindholm was 10th), in a disastrous year, with 56 points. Arguably a career year. Backlund is Bergeron-lite, who just retired after a stellar season at 38. A 4 year contract would bring Backlund to 38. But the team should treat their longest-tenured played and 3rd most tenured player in franchise history, the apparent de facto team Captain in the room, like some retiree that is just hanging on year-to-year. It's ludicrous.

If the Flames are a basement team in 4 years, it is not because of a 4x5 contract for Mikael Backlund.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Our old GM gave a 37 year old face puncher a 3 year deal this summer.

If the price is low I am not opposed but 4 years feels long for Backlund to keep playing.

Our old GM was a wizard covered in pigeon #### dragged around by mystical bunnies.

He was no Gandalf.