Quote:
Originally Posted by Samonadreau
Maybe in theory or in a perfect world but points hold more value at a negotiating table. It closes the gap a bit but not all the way.
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You are probably right in that regard. However, Turris only has a single season of 60+ points, a couple of seasons of 50+ points, and the rest has been 30 or under. Backlund hit a high of 53 points last season, 47 the season before that, and 27 and 39 the prior years in injury shortened seasons.
I think it is probably safe to say that Backlund is a ~50 pt center at this point, and Turris got paid to be a... 60pt center?
I don't think I take Turris based on prior performances. I take Backlund given that the ~10 or so points he scores he manages to remain a plus player even though he is tasked with the hardest match-ups on the team. Turris has been a minus the last 2 seasons prior to getting traded. There is value there.
To me, Backlund is deserving of a Turris contract. With that being said, Turris has apparently found a really good situation in Nashville and is a PPG player there thus far (small sample size be damned). If Turris keeps it up, then he will be on a bargain contract.
However, I take Backlund over Ottawa Turris every day of the week, and feel he is the more valuable player. I will gladly take 5-10 points less a season if it means he takes the toughest match-ups, outscores the top lines while doing so, and allows the top line in Calgary to see easier minutes and have a better chance to out-score the opposition.
Anything over 6 million I start to waffle a bit, but 6 years at 6 million a year for what Backlund provides is definitely a fair deal. Not wonderful, not a home-town discount, but a fair one.
Personally, I think if the Flames reduce Backlund's defensive zone starts and give him some easy minutes and assignments, his offence would respond really well. Unfortunately there is nobody on the team that can do what he does right now. I think he deserves 6.