2014/2015 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Ashasx]

Backlund received a lot of praise from Hartley in the playoffs. He played the toughest role of any forward.

You lose him, and everybody has to move up one spot, and I'm not sure they are ready.

I don't see a scenario where Backlund isn't on this team for the next 3+ years, short of vast overpayment.

And although Backlund plays an effective game, he's also quiet and somewhat undernoticed. I don't see anyone giving us a significant piece for him.

He loves the team and is an easy guy to like. The moment we trade him, we're going to be looking for somebody who can play his role.

I want a young, top 4 defenceman as well, but I'd sooner trade our 1st rounder this year to fill that void than Mikael.

[Red Menace]

the season is over, shouldn't this thread also be done with?

bring on the 2015/16 trade rumor thread....

[Poe969]

Then who do we trade? It's obvious that this team needs more size. Who do we bring in and who goes out of the lineup?

As funny as it is, centre is now one of our positions of strength. Monahan and Bennett are locks not to go anywhere. Johnny and Hudler are small but they aren't going anywhere. Who do we move out to bring in a bigger player? I think that's why Backlund will be moved, not because he isn't good but because the other guys are better.

[Flash Walken]

I don't think Backlund alone gets you a quality young defender, as he just doesn't provide enough offense.

quality young defenders are probably the hottest commodity in the league besides bonafide top 6 point producing centres.

Backlund as the main piece including the Sven 2nd and something else might get you into the ballpark of a player that helps Calgary now and in the future.

That's really the only instance that I'd be ok seeing a draft pick moved out, sandwiched with Backlund and something else to get a #4/#5 defender under say 23 years of age.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Then who do we trade? It's obvious that this team needs more size. Who do we bring in and who goes out of the lineup?

As funny as it is, centre is now one of our positions of strength. Monahan and Bennett are locks not to go anywhere. Johnny and Hudler are small but they aren't going anywhere. Who do we move out to bring in a bigger player? I think that's why Backlund will be moved, not because he isn't good but because the other guys are better.

I'm just saying that I believe Backlund is an undervalued commodity and if we were to trade him for a defenceman of similar value, that defenceman wouldn't have the same impact on the team as Backlund.

We have dozens of other assets that can be used besides Backlund. We have a lot of freedom.

[northcrunk]

Backlund is a great 3rd line C, defensively responsible and handles the puck really well. Solid player who we should keep over Stajan.

[GioforPM]

I like Backlund, and defended him a fair bit early on. But we shouldn't exaggerate what he brings and his place on the team. He's good at a few things but not great at them. He's a strong Corsi guy, but IMO his shot attempts are a little misleading because he often takes low percentage shots from just over the blue line, with no traffic. He's good defensively, and decent on faceoffs, but Stajan is good at those things. He is younger than Stajan, but Stajan would be a stopgap.

I think some people have a little too much invested in him, a holderover from when he was the top centre prospect and looking like an option for a permanent top 6 role.

I wonder too if Backlund would be happy in a number 3 role.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Backlund somewhat reminds me of the Cody Hodgson situation the Canucks had. As soon as they moved him out for more size, they had a hole to fill down the middle. I would strongly recommend against moving Backlund. If anything he is improving and growing into the player we had always hoped he could be.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Backlund is a great 3rd line C, defensively responsible and handles the puck really well. Solid player who we should keep over Stajan.

Almost too well. A few massive giveaways because of things he was trying. Don't get me wrong, it happens when players get creative - look at Gaudreau. But I'm not sure its best in a third line shutdown centre.

Stajan isn't going anywhere, nor should he. He was one of the most useful guys in the POs.

[Poe969]

He is a good player and he's getting better but he's small. He's too small to shut down other teams and not big enough to stand up to other teams third lines.

It's because he's a good player that other teams will want him. We won't get a young defender for nothing. I'd be happy if we kept him, I just think he'll be traded because he has value but he's also expendable to the Flames.

[dammage79]

Yeah, I feel like Stajan knows his role now and is happy with it. He's not surrounded by Tim Jackmans anymore. I've always thought you could trade Stajan but the Vet presence he provided in the playoffs stood out.

Backlund could stay and could be traded. I feel like you can upgrade him in the trade market this off season. Will be interesting to see how the off season goes from the draft on. I'd like to see Backlund back but I can also he him being moved on.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Poe969

He's too small to shut down other teams

I call balderdash on that... he's better at shutting down the opposition then any other forward we have. He's not even really small... Gaudreau is small, Hudler is small, Russell is small. Backlund is more low-average.

Frankly I think speed on the forecheck is more important then size for shutting guys down since it increases the pressure on the oppo puck carrier and forces them into making hasty decisions.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I call balderdash on that... he's better at shutting down the opposition then any other forward we have. He's not even really small... Gaudreau is small, Hudler is small, Russell is small. Backlund is more low-average.

Frankly I think speed on the forecheck is more important then size for shutting guys down since it increases the pressure on the oppo puck carrier and forces them into making hasty decisions.

How did Backlund do against Getz?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I call balderdash on that... he's better at shutting down the opposition then any other forward we have. He's not even really small... Gaudreau is small, Hudler is small, Russell is small. Backlund is more low-average.

Frankly I think speed on the forecheck is more important then size for shutting guys down since it increases the pressure on the oppo puck carrier and forces them into making hasty decisions.

I actually think Stajan is better in the D zone.

Backlund is 6 feet. That makes him shorter than Monahan, Bennett and Stajan. It makes him even more shorter than Getzlaf, Carter, Thornton, Kopitar, Spezza...

I don't mind keeping him, but lots is dependant on salary, acceptance of role, improvement in that role, etc.

[It's a great day 4 hockey]

Originally Posted by Poe969

How did Backlund do against Getz?

The same as everyone else. They don't.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by It's a great day 4 hockey

The same as everyone else. They don't.

It'll be interesting to see what the Hawks do against him - they are even smaller overall I think.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It'll be interesting to see what the Hawks do against him - they are even smaller overall I think.

Forwards, a bit smaller on average where they don't have the same kind of depth players like we do with Jones, Bollig, Ferland and Bouma. They're better off on defense with Seabrook and Hjalmarsson being able to handle the physicality but still skate and keep up the transition with speed.

[Poe969]

They may be smaller but they have a first line and 3 second lines. It seems that all of their lines are skilled and can control the play. Their top 2 lines are more talented than the ducks.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Poe969

They may be smaller but they have a first line and 3 second lines. It seems that all of their lines are skilled and can control the play. Their top 2 lines are more talented than the ducks.

I'm not sure I pick Toews and Kane over Perry and Getzlaf as my first line.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm not sure I pick Toews and Kane over Perry and Getzlaf as my first line.

I do, everyday.

Toews has a greater will to win than almost any players I've ever seen.