[Rumour] Garrioch: Flames make pitch for Spezza. UPD: Treliving denies offer

[Stay Golden]

Spezza is not going to agree to be traded to any non playoff team.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by dino7c

so what do you expect to get for wideman/hudler when the time comes? they are not going to be on the team when it matters again

Backlund the jury is still out, he usually plays well after the team is out of it and we all get excited and then regresses

2nd rounder has maybe a 10% chance of being a player for that team that drafts him

This time around Backlund looked better for much longer period of time.
I think his improvement is for real.

[Parallex]

Terrible deal, hope it was all in his imagination. Pointless to get Spezza now, counter-productive to send young assets to do it.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Backlund also looked very good at the Worlds. Looks like he really turned a corner this season. Wouldn't trade him unless it really makes sense. One year of a guy who doesn't really want to play in Calgary doesn't make sense. Keep Backlund and the other assets.

[dammage79]

In any case, I feel that St.Louis is the final destination for Spezza. Berglund + is a good deal for both. The Blues seem to be entering into serious buy now mode even though their contender window is just opening up.

[ignite09]

I don't think management is nearly as high on Backlund as CP is. This deal to me shows who the Flames consider expendable, and we'll probably see the same names involved in trade discussions in the future.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Backlund shows huge improvement after the team is out of it almost every season. Then he gets a huge chance to start the season and blows it

Actually I think this year has been the opposite of what usually ends up happening. Backlund typically shows some bursts of promise but injuries destroy the momentum over the first couple weeks and the rest of the year is small flashes.

This year was him starting off a little slow but turning it around in November I think, and keeping his play inspired over the rest of the season. Every game thread I constantly see Backlund's name being brought up as a bright spot whether we're winning or losing.

We've probably said this a lot but I honestly look forward to the progression he'll continue to show this next season. Fortunately we're in the period where him slowly improving is perfectly fine.

[JiriHrdina]

Garrioch is barely half a step above Eklund.

[mile]

Originally Posted by theoforever

A lot of people are saying Spezza has attitude problem, does he?

Spezza doesn't have an attitude problem, but he would be better served as a complementary player than a leader. The supposed "attitude problem" people are referring to is the rumor that he was getting tired of being blamed by fans for the Senators losses. He doesn't have a bad attitude, he just isn't a leader.

I still think he probably goes to St. Louis and flourishes there with the deep group of forwards they have.

[AcGold]

If Backlund is ever going to have a breakout year this is it. Trading 3 assets, one on the cusp of reaching his potential, for a rental would make me question the organisation. I doubt this rumour's even true as it completely contradicts everything we've been working towards

[AC]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Garrioch is barely half a step above Eklund.

He has broken a few odd rumours/signings/trades though I believe, hasn't he?

Specifically, Jokinen signing back in Calgary that one July 1st.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Big pass. Spezza's a decent player, but the Flames need to keep assets like Backlund and draft picks for now.

When I saw Backlund's name in that list, i just say no right away. I would like to see Spezza in Flames uniform but don't want to give out Backlund.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by OzSome

When I saw Backlund's name in that list, i just say no right away. I would like to see Spezza in Flames uniform but don't want to give out Backlund.

I feel the same way, but if I'm Ottawa, I want more than what a trade deadline offer would be. Hard to do without giving up something good

[jayswin]

He also had Kipper's re-signing in Calgary before anyone, I believe. That was a big one too, as it was during the Flames' "There's no way you'll be able to keep your core together" years, where there were constant rumors of Iggy, Kipper, Langkow and others leaving Calgary.

He obviously has some good sources, which is what sets him apart from someone like Eklund. But his issue is a desire to always be breaking trades/signings. I wish he'd just stay quiet on the pie in the sky crap and only speculate on the solid leads.

[dino7c]

I hope Backlund has turned the corner but I have been fooled before...I think trading him now could just as easily be selling high as selling low

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by flameswin

He also had Kipper's re-signing in Calgary before anyone, I believe. That was a big one too, as it was during the Flames' "There's no way you'll be able to keep your core together" years, where there were constant rumors of Iggy, Kipper, Langkow and others leaving Calgary.

Kinda funny they would have been better off not keeping the core together, it was such a "win" for Sutter at the time.


and by funny I mean sad

[T@T]

Originally Posted by _Q_

No way this is true.

Quoted for truth

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I hope Backlund has turned the corner but I have been fooled before...I think trading him now could just as easily be selling high as selling low

I don't get this trading someone while the guy is at peak of his career so we can get some good return. Then when are we be able to start competing if we keep trading players at peak. That means we will keep getting prospect players over and over. If Boston, Chicago or LA have that kind of attitude, we won't be seeing Lucic or Rask in Boston, Toews or Kane in Chicago or Anzi Kopitar in LA. Right now these guys can get you tons of prospects and players in return. I am not claiming have the same return as those guys I mentioned. As for Spezza, I don't think the rumour of discontent is true. I feel for the guy because the fans in Ottawa and even his coach MacLean makes him a scapegoat sometimes. Like I said before, I would be so cool seeing Spezza in Flames uniform but Backlund won't be part of the deal.

[jlh2640]

Would not trade Backlund straight up for him at this point

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I don't get this trading someone while the guy is at peak of his career so we can get some good return. Then when are we be able to start competing if we keep trading players at peak. That means we will keep getting prospect players over and over. If Boston, Chicago or LA have that kind of attitude, we won't be seeing Lucic or Rask in Boston, Toews or Kane in Chicago or Anzi Kopitar in LA. Right now these guys can get you tons of prospects and players in return. I am not claiming have the same return as those guys I mentioned. As for Spezza, I don't think the rumour of discontent is true. I feel for the guy because the fans in Ottawa and even his coach MacLean makes him a scapegoat sometimes. Like I said before, I would be so cool seeing Spezza in Flames uniform but Backlund won't be part of the deal.

I never said for spezza

In general terms...Backlunds value may never be higher. If he has a so-so year this upcoming season with this roster. I think we can call a spade a spade and just say he is what he is. Decent 3rd liner