[Signing] Flames Sign Backlund to Multi Year Deal! 3 years, 3.575m AAV.

[Max Cow Disease]

Good to see, this re-signing. Backs and Brodie were picks made during the previous era that have cemented themselves as solid pieces moving forward.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I thought he was overpaid 575k (3x3 was my guess), but if it takes 1.725m to take away 2 UFA years, I am all for it.

Good deal.

[BloodFetish]

Very happy about this deal! Backlund shows a lot of commitment to the defensive side and to the other players. He's a very important piece going forward.

I also have a game-worn Backlund jersey from 2012 hanging over my desk, so another three year deal suits me just fine!

[oldschoolcalgary]

fantastic news!

i wish the deal was a little longer, but very happy to see backlund re-signed!

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

(3x3 was my guess)

You were very naive if you thought an 18 tough minutes per game possession-driving center was going to get one-dimensional 3rd line winger money.

[Bourque's Twin]

Backlund is exactly the type of player needed for team success. He brings good attitude, effort, and great 2-way play. He plays the PK well, he can step up to the PP if need be, and he finally got a taste of playoff hockey in a leadership role.

If a guy like Jankowski ousts him for that 3rd line centre spot in 1-2 years, Backs is still the kind of player who will be useful on the 4th line and can step up all the way to the top when injuries occur.

I'm pumped.

[dammage79]

Very tradeable contract down the road if things change.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Backlund is exactly the type of player needed for team success. He brings good attitude, effort, and great 2-way play. He plays the PK well, he can step up to the PP if need be, and he finally got a taste of playoff hockey in a leadership role.

If a guy like Jankowski ousts him for that 3rd line centre spot in 1-2 years, Backs is still the kind of player who will be useful on the 4th line and can step up all the way to the top when injuries occur.

I'm pumped.

Not to mention he's our best possession driving forward. When Backs is on the ice he makes his linemates better. When he's on the ice with Gio & Brodie, chances are that the puck will be in the other team's end. Also plays the hardest minutes and hardest competition.

arii from M & G wrote a good stats article on it.

FN: The Calgary Flames - With & Without Backlund

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I've been a big Backlund supporter for years, so am pleased to see him signed. However...

I've also been saying for years that the Flames must improve their faceoff capabilities. If they're not going to make a personnel change, I sure hope the centres they have are spending a bunch of time this offseason trying to improve that skill.

Sophomore Monahan took 800+ more faceoffs than Rookie Monahan, aganist better opponents, and his win percentage went from 46 to 49.3. Easier match ups for Backlund and Stajan saw their win percentages increase. It's coming along.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

If a guy like Jankowski ousts him for that 3rd line centre spot in 1-2 years, Backs is still the kind of player who will be useful on the 4th line and can step up all the way to the top when injuries occur..

If Jankowski ousts backs, Backs becomes a shutdown middle 6 winger before he drops to 4th line.

[Flash Walken]

I like the term more than anything.

[activeStick]

Backlund seems to have a deep hatred for the Vancouver Canucks. I like this.

[polak]

Backlund is one of my favourite Flames! Love this signing. You can just tell the guy loves being a Calgary Flame and this sets us up beautifully down the middle for a while as hes only 25. Good to see a Flames 1st Round Draft Pick succeed and stay a part of the organization long term. Feels like the first one in decades!

Disappointed no one has posted this yet. Best Backlund moment ever!

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Backlund seems to have a deep hatred for the Vancouver Canucks. I like this.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Quoted for the Hat Trick.

[jayswin]

Backlund hates the Canucks

[heep223]

Treliving did a great job with both Backlund and Brodie deals. Seems to have a knack for signing RFAs to team friendly contracts and that's how you build winners.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Very happy this got done so early. I still think Backlund can fill a huge role for the Flames - even if he does get ousted by another center down the road (which may never happen). Backlund gives this team speed, work-ethic, leadership, the best defensive acumen on the team, and ~.5ppg while doing so.

Whether he becomes a winger or continues to play center down the road, Backlund will always be one of those important cogs that every championship team needs. Very happy the Flames locked him up for 3 years.

[AcGold]

I bet he turns out to be a late bloomer and improves big time this or next year. Just have this hunch that he has room to improve because he seems to have a work ethic like Giordano. Backlund's not slow, weak, dumb or small so he has no reason to stop improving.

[chubeyr1]

Meh,

Dollars and term are fair, he is an rfa after all. Not terribly excited. Nothing really to see here.

We are gonna be seeing a lot of trades in the next little while. Monahan, Bennett, Backlund, and Stajan as centers all locked up. Shore Arnold Granlund Jooris Jankowski Reinhardt Byron Colborne. Some of the players will shift to the wing, I hope Backlund is one of them. Guy cant win a faceoff, but is a great defensive forward, and a move to wing could improve his offense.

Backlund has been a man made of glass for years. I like Backlund, but facts are facts. We can count on Jones missing 30 games a year, we can count on Backlund missing 20 lol! I laugh cause it is funny how snake bitten some players are.

I do like the signing though for a few simple facts. Backlund is a useful player. I honestly believe he wants to live in this city and be a Flame for a very very long time. That is important! I don't question his work ethic.

Good signing but nothing fancy! It is not like we were not going to sign him.