[Signing] Backlund 2 years 1.5AAV

[bubbsy]

i hope for everyone's sake that by the time this (great) deal is up, backlund is rightfully negotiating a 5 million/year type contract due to results.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

I was ready to let the Backlund re-love ignite amongst CP, but MMF's assertion of being the next captain, absolutely chokes me out. There is no way someone of his playing style can be captain. He can't win a big faceoff, stays away from the tough areas of the ice, certainly can't fight and does nothing to change a game!!!

Remember 2 seasons ago when him and Iginla were injured coming out of camp, 1 had rib/back problems, 1 had a mangled digit. guess which one needed 20 games to return.

The contract is good and it is fair based on what we've seen thus far. I know CP believes he is on pace to score 20+ this season and lets hope, but as usual, it's a lot of games to stay healthy for and this guy is injury prone.

I still believe his game would fit better in the KHL, but nothing covers up warts better than a rebuild. Lets see how he does this next 82!

Lol, dummy, god what a dummy

[The Voice of Reason]

His lack of production since entering the league has been a concern. However, he's getting one last "show me" contract. If he's still struggling to put up 40 points by the end of this deal, it's likely time to cut ties and move a different direction.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by The Voice of Reason

His lack of production since entering the league has been a concern. However, he's getting one last "show me" contract. If he's still struggling to put up 40 points by the end of this deal, it's likely time to cut ties and move a different direction.

This deal is definitely Backs' put it all on the table deal. But his progression has followed very closely to that of Kesler's (######baggery aside as many of you have heard me say) If Backlund puts up 30 to 40 points this year and he turns into that defensive 3rd line forward for us I'd be happy with just that. If he pushes his game to where Kesler pushed it and has a break out season like Kesler did than even better. All I know is if we eventually do move on from Backlund I know a team like Detroit will be waiting in the wings (pun intended) for a player like Backlund to just fall in their hands. Babcock had high praise for his game a few years ago and I think he had very good reason to have that praise, this is Backlund's year to step up and take a bigger role and this contract is only going to help him do that.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

This deal is definitely Backs' put it all on the table deal. But his progression has followed very closely to that of Kesler's (######baggery aside as many of you have heard me say) If Backlund puts up 30 to 40 points this year and he turns into that defensive 3rd line forward for us I'd be happy with just that. If he pushes his game to where Kesler pushed it and has a break out season like Kesler did than even better. All I know is if we eventually do move on from Backlund I know a team like Detroit will be waiting in the wings (pun intended) for a player like Backlund to just fall in their hands. Babcock had high praise for his game a few years ago and I think he had very good reason to have that praise, this is Backlund's year to step up and take a bigger role and this contract is only going to help him do that.

For the bolded part: I wonder if Feaster would be happy with that?

I do think Reinhart, Monahan and Knight will be on the team come 2014/2015 season, with Reinhart and Knight occupying bottom 6 center positions. That's a lot of "green" centers. I kind of get the feeling that if Backlund does not show he can be the #2 after this season, then they will look for a veteran top 6 center in UFA or trade. The price will be high, but i think they pony up in order to have the center youngsters learn from a veteran. Stajan is done after this year. I don't think Feaster see's him as the center mentor going forward.

I really hope Backlund makes that step, he has the talent. He seems to genuinely love Calgary and the flames. Not to mention it would not force the flames to go out and spend on a veteran.

I have to hand it to Feaster on this contract, he covered all bases. Even if the worst happens (mentioned above) and they have to trade him it will not be hard.

[fatso]

I haven't had a chance to go through the entirety of this thread, but I am in agreement with the posters that this is a great deal for the Flames.

I was very excited about Backlund when he was drafted, but my excitement for him waned. In fact, I was one of the ones who scoffed two years ago when people were proclaiming him a future #1 centre. I thought he'd be gone from the league in no time.

Last year, however, I thought he took a real step forward and began to look like the top-2, potentially top-line, centre many here were hopeful he would become. He was a difference-maker both defensively and offensively, and was a real bright spot last year.

The injury history is troubling, but hopefully doesn't continue. Fortunately, I think we can rack a number of those injuries up to bad luck.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

This contract is not a deal, nor is it bad, it's exactly what it should be. Backlund is a 1.5M dollar player in todays market based on what he's done to date. Totally fine to say it's because of injuries, which is possibly true, but the injuries are part of what determines the value.

Now it's for Backlund to hopefully go out there and become the player we think he can be and earn a bigger deal.

[MissTeeks]

He's been around how long, and he's never been to Stampede? For shame!

Mikael Backlund‏@mbacklund1159s

Lets c what this #Stampede is all about! #rookie #Stampede101

[tempz]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

He's been around how long, and he's never been to Stampede? For shame!

Mikael Backlund‏@mbacklund1159s

Lets c what this #Stampede is all about! #rookie #Stampede101

He's probably usually in Sweden for the Summer, only here this year because of the contract situation.

Side note I love that he has the We Are Calgary photo as his background image. He genuinely seems to love this city.

[sun]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

I was ready to let the Backlund re-love ignite amongst CP, but MMF's assertion of being the next captain, absolutely chokes me out. There is no way someone of his playing style can be captain. He can't win a big faceoff, stays away from the tough areas of the ice, certainly can't fight and does nothing to change a game!!!

Remember 2 seasons ago when him and Iginla were injured coming out of camp, 1 had rib/back problems, 1 had a mangled digit. guess which one needed 20 games to return.

The contract is good and it is fair based on what we've seen thus far. I know CP believes he is on pace to score 20+ this season and lets hope, but as usual, it's a lot of games to stay healthy for and this guy is injury prone.

I still believe his game would fit better in the KHL, but nothing covers up warts better than a rebuild. Lets see how he does this next 82!

[Igottago]

Big year coming up from Backlund...he was great at times last year. Let's hope he carries that dedication and focus over to this season, and stays healthy. I'm pretty sure he'll be criminally underpaid by the end of this contract.

[P-DAZZLE]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

He's been around how long, and he's never been to Stampede? For shame!

Mikael Backlund‏@mbacklund1159s

Lets c what this #Stampede is all about! #rookie #Stampede101

I did see him at Cowboys once on the day that development camp wrapped up years ago. I started talking to a guy at the bar and it turned out he was the guy who dropped the Memorial Cup that time and was part of the camp as well. I asked if Backlund was there as he was our big name prospect at the time and he said he was running around the bar and having a great time. He was doing some dance floor activity that was pretty western, although it wasn't Stampede.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by handgroen

Lol, dummy, god what a dummy

So, you believe a guy who is 23, has left 50% and 33% (respectively) of games on the table the past 2 years, is a good candidate for the C?

Remember that a lot of his points came in "Garbage Time" when we were bottoming out in the standings, and teams were taking us even more lighlty than usual.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

So, you believe a guy who is 23, has left 50% and 33% (respectively) of games on the table the past 2 years, is a good candidate for the C?

Remember that a lot of his points came in "Garbage Time" when we were bottoming out in the standings, and teams were taking us even more lighlty than usual.

Backlund played just as well to start the season as he did to finish it. He was one of the few guys who showed up each and every night.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by The Voice of Reason

His lack of production since entering the league has been a concern. However, he's getting one last "show me" contract. If he's still struggling to put up 40 points by the end of this deal, it's likely time to cut ties and move a different direction.

Really? You'd want to cut ties with a 40-point, two-way centre (see Corsi) who's STILL RESTRICTED?

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Backlund played just as well to start the season as he did to finish it. He was one of the few guys who showed up each and every night.

I guess that is debatable, but he only played 8 games in the first 2 months.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by SebC

Really? You'd want to cut ties with a 40-point, two-way centre (see Corsi) who's STILL RESTRICTED?

If we keep drafting/signing Centres, there may be no choice.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

I guess that is debatable, but he only played 8 games in the first 2 months.

Yeah, to start the season.

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

If we keep drafting/signing Centres, there may be no choice.

lol, let's worry about that problem when/if it ever happens.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Backs is a champ, just because we hailed him as our saviour after the wj years ago doesn't mean where he's at is unacceptable .. If every first round pick was a slam dunk we'd be watching all star games every night

[FAN]

I previously soured on Backlund as far as his offensive potential and thought he would be out of the NHL soon, but he really stepped up his defensive game and physical play last season. If Backlund can stay healthy and build on this past season, Backlund will remain a useful player who doesn't need to play on the top 2 lines to be useful. Backlund is a top 9 player in the NHL with the ability to move up the lineup and for that he's worth $1.5M a year.