2017/2018 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by RoughRiderRowdy

Patrick sharp.

And Calgary almost landed him earlier in the summer . . .But only 9 points in 33 games, no PP goals, and clearly dropping off . . . Not sure he would fit the bill at this point?

I'd probably go a bit bigger and see of Minnesota would bite on trading us Nino Niederreiter ... Big RW with five PPGs, although where they are in the standings I doubt they would give him up right now. He's also more of a long-term investment than just the season.

Patrick Hornqvist would also be a good pickup if the Pens continue to struggle, especially if Rutherford has indicated they aren't done trading.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I'm sorry, but Backlund continues to be one of the most dominant possession drivers in the league and is still by far the best on the Flames. He performs every role on this team that could be asked of him, and he does it extremely effectively. He has shown no signs of slowing down.

I don't usually say something like this, but if you don't think Backlund is worth 5x5, you have no idea what you are talking about.

$5x5 sure. But if it's more money/term, it would be worth considering what the cost of an upgrade might look like.

Naturally, spending $4-5M more on tavares may be a pipe dream, but OBVIOUS upgrade to the roster. But that isn't to say there aren't other options out there. I really think Turris was a player they were more willing to pay $6ish a year.

Now, forgetting the UFA side of things, but look at teams that are out the playoffs who are likely looking to make drastic changes to their roster. Maybe this offseason we use one of our top5 d (hamilton, brodie, hamonic, stone) as a trade asset to fill the void of backlund. some examples (and assuming the other team sees value in getting one of our dmen):
Bufallo
O'reilly at $7.5M for 5 years (vs Backlund $6M)

Sens
Pageau at $3.1M for 2 years
Hoffman at $5.187M for 2 years (he is listed as C,LW, not sure if this is true)

Det
Nielson at $5.25M for 4 years

Mtl
shaw at $3.9M for 4 years

Just some examples.

The way i look at it, Backlund has been good, he will be the flames 3rd line center as early as next year. In my mind, that does not garner a $6M price tag. That doesn't mean there aren't alternatives or options in filling that C position elsewhere.

[Ashasx]

Not a single one of those players are as good a Backlund.

And how does Backlund become the Flames 3rd line centre next year. Who is taking his spot on the 2nd line?

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by RoughRiderRowdy

Backlund has had one season over 50 points. Last year. And people want to throw the brinks truck at him

He also had 47 pts the year before but that doesn't fit your narrative.
Major problem with Backlund was his injuries. Whenever he got going, he seemed to get hit with an injury. However, regardless of his offensive prduction he was always good defensively.

Once he got healthier we saw his offensive numbers come up as well.

PS: I am still waiting on all those 3rd line checking centres who put up 50+ points....

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by RoughRiderRowdy

Backlund has had one season over 50 points. Last year. And people want to throw the brinks truck at him

I don't think that people want to pay just any dollar amount for him....that is not what I am reading. They are saying to pay up to what they feel is the max amount, in their opinion, or let him go via trade. I didn't see one person say pay him whatever he wants. Posters are giving an opinion on where they feel the Flames should draw the line.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Just to get off the Backlund train for a bit, who could Calgary realistically target as a Versteeg replacement / PP Specialist? This is where immediate help is required. There has to be a body out there that won't break the bank, and can be a stop-gap until the end of the season.

I’ve mentioned this before, but if Vancouver decides to sell early this year I think Sam Gagner could be a good fit for that role. 4th line winger/PP specialist is basically the time he played in Columbus last year and was quite successful.

He won’t be a savior or anything, but he has the creativity and quick hands to make strong decisions on the powerplay. Very similar to Versteeg in that regard.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

This is the forum that vastly thought paying Brouwer $4.5MM per season when the cap was $10MM lower was a fair deal, but thinks another over $5MM for Backlund is bad?

Am I taking crazy pills? What are you guys watching?

And the regret of that deal is being felt in each of the 4 years the Flames committed to the deal.

Backlund has 1 50pt season and people want to give him $6M until he is 35. I don’t want Backlunds contract getting in the way of a Tkachuk, Bennett, Jankowski, Gaudreau, or Monahan contract.

[topfiverecords]

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by bax

I’ve mentioned this before, but if Vancouver decides to sell early this year I think Sam Gagner could be a good fit for that role. 4th line winger/PP specialist is basically the time he played in Columbus last year and was quite successful.

He won’t be a savior or anything, but he has the creativity and quick hands to make strong decisions on the powerplay. Very similar to Versteeg in that regard.

He makes north of $3M for 2 years after this. That is a terrible option

[SuperMatt18]

Backlund has been at a pretty high level for about 5 years now.

Pro-rated for 82 games he has been on pace for 42, 42, 47, & 53 points the last 4 seasons and is on pace for 46 points this season.

So he has been pretty consistent going on 5 seasons now, the only concern prior to the last two seasons has always been his health and at time his consistency but he has overcome those issues recently.

The concern moving forward with Backlund is that he is going to be 29 1/2 by this time his new contract comes into effect, and you rarely win by paying for past production for players over 30.

The thing is this team is in win now mode, and short of being able to add Tavares, there aren't really a lot of options internally or in free agency to replace Backlund. So really if you have to overpay a little bit it's not the end of the world, just don't give him too much term.

Stay around 5 years, and between $25-$28M there should be a fit for both sides here.

[David Struch]

Edit

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Backlund has been at a pretty high level for about 5 years now.

Pro-rated for 82 games he has been on pace for 42, 42, 47, & 53 points the last 4 seasons and is on pace for 46 points this season.

So he has been pretty consistent going on 5 seasons now, the only concern prior to the last two seasons has always been his health and at time his consistency but he has overcome those issues recently.

The concern moving forward with Backlund is that he is going to be 29 1/2 by this time his new contract comes into effect, and you rarely win by paying for past production for players over 30.

The thing is this team is in win now mode, and short of being able to add Tavares, there aren't really a lot of options internally or in free agency to replace Backlund. So really if you have to overpay a little bit it's not the end of the world, just don't give him too much term.

Stay around 5 years, and between $25-$28M there should be a fit for both sides here.

I think this is why Treliving was kicking the tires on Turris.

[David Struch]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Just to get off the Backlund train for a bit, who could Calgary realistically target as a Versteeg replacement / PP Specialist? This is where immediate help is required. There has to be a body out there that won't break the bank, and can be a stop-gap until the end of the season.

LW/RW Jesper Bratt 19 years old 10 ppp $749,167

LD Will Butcher 22 years old 12 ppp $925,000

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

And the regret of that deal is being felt in each of the 4 years the Flames committed to the deal.

Backlund has 1 50pt season and people want to give him $6M until he is 35. I don’t want Backlunds contract getting in the way of a Tkachuk, Bennett, Jankowski, Gaudreau, or Monahan contract.

Brouwer: possession black hole, may be the worst player in the league
Backlund: possession monster, fancy stats favorite

My point is that Backlund is so much better and important to this team than we could have hoped Brouwer had been that the prevailing view on this forum that Backlund isn't worth it is nonsensical.

Look at Frolik in contrast, who is paid fair value and has been a great addition to this team.

And you don't want Backlund's contract getting in the way of Jankowski? Why?

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by David Struch

LW/RW Jesper Bratt 19 years old 10 ppp $749,167

LD Will Butcher 22 years old 12 ppp $925,000

I think he meant "realistic" options. These two players are going nowhere.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by RoughRiderRowdy

And if he is by far the best on the team, then that probably means we wont be a stanley cup contending team

What? He is one of the best possession players in the entire NHL, so of course he is the best on the Flames.

Last year his defensive zone starts were at 65.9% and he still put up 53 points. Show me another guy in the NHL that is even close to that. I'll help you out here, Ryan Kesler.

Kesler had 58 points. So 5 more points than Backlund. Kesler makes $7.875 million a year.

The Selke winning Patrice Bergeron had 45.3 defensive zone starts and the exact same point output of Backlund last year. 53 points. Bergeron makes $8.75M a year.

For example Sean Monahan was at 38.7% defensive zone starts. So 61.3% offensive zone starts.

If you are telling me that Monahan doesn't completely benefit from having Backlund on his team you're crazy. If you're telling me that Backlund wouldn't have a pile of more points if he got some more offensive zone starts, again you're crazy.

PP, PK, shuts down the other teams top lines, still drives offense, currently second in the league in takeaways.

If you don't think Backlund is one of the most important pieces on this team, or deserves to get paid I'm not sure what you're watching.

There are only a handful of players in this league that bring the complete game that Backlund does. This team takes a HUGE step backwards without him in the fold. Treliving is smart and not going to let him slip away.

[colbym72]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

What? He is one of the best possession players in the entire NHL, so of course he is the best on the Flames.

Last year his defensive zone starts were at 65.9% and he still put up 53 points. Show me another guy in the NHL that is even close to that. I'll help you out here, Ryan Kesler.

Kesler had 58 points. So 5 more points than Backlund. Kesler makes $7.875 million a year.

The Selke winning Patrice Bergeron had 45.3 defensive zone starts and the exact same point output of Backlund last year. 53 points. Bergeron makes $8.75M a year.

For example Sean Monahan was at 38.7% defensive zone starts. So 61.3% offensive zone starts.

If you are telling me that Monahan doesn't completely benefit from having Backlund on his team you're crazy. If you're telling me that Backlund wouldn't have a pile of more points if he got some more offensive zone starts, again you're crazy.

PP, PK, shuts down the other teams top lines, still drives offense, currently second in the league in takeaways.

If you don't think Backlund is one of the most important pieces on this team, or deserves to get paid I'm not sure what you're watching.

There are only a handful of players in this league that bring the complete game that Backlund does. This team takes a HUGE step backwards without him in the fold. Treliving is smart and not going to let him slip away.

Oh shush with your facts

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Brouwer: possession black hole, may be the worst player in the league
Backlund: possession monster, fancy stats favorite

My point is that Backlund is so much better and important to this team than we could have hoped Brouwer had been that the prevailing view on this forum that Backlund isn't worth it is nonsensical.

Look at Frolik in contrast, who is paid fair value and has been a great addition to this team.

And you don't want Backlund's contract getting in the way of Jankowski? Why?

I am not a guy who puts a ton of stock into possesion. The Flames are a top 5 Corsi team right now and not in the playoffs. The Kong’s were all of last year and missed.

The contract stuff is quite simple really. If the Flames commit $6M to Backlund for 6 years that contract will run past all of the current core. Jankowski will likely get a bridge deal but will need a third contract before the Backlund extension expires. Tkachuk is going to get paid soon and could be our highest paid player. Bennett is on pace for a raise if he keeps it up. Gaudreau will be 29 when his deal expires in 4.5 years and will need $10+M Monahan could be the same.

I am just not convinced a guy that scores around .5ppg deserves 6x6 for his 29-35 age bracket. This is why I suggested we trade him this past summer to maximize the value. I am okay keeping him but I fear his contract will be unmovable and Cody the team a good young player down the line.

Boston paid all their players from the cup winning team to big deals and lost Seguin and Hamilton who would have kept that team a cup contender for years to come instead of the bubble team they have been since 2014

[colbym72]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I am not a guy who puts a ton of stock into possesion. The Flames are a top 5 Corsi team right now and not in the playoffs. The Kong’s were all of last year and missed.

The contract stuff is quite simple really. If the Flames commit $6M to Backlund for 6 years that contract will run past all of the current core. Jankowski will likely get a bridge deal but will need a third contract before the Backlund extension expires. Tkachuk is going to get paid soon and could be our highest paid player. Bennett is on pace for a raise if he keeps it up. Gaudreau will be 29 when his deal expires in 4.5 years and will need $10+M Monahan could be the same.

I am just not convinced a guy that scores around .5ppg deserves 6x6 for his 29-35 age bracket. This is why I suggested we trade him this past summer to maximize the value. I am okay keeping him but I fear his contract will be unmovable and Cody the team a good young player down the line.

Boston paid all their players from the cup winning team to big deals and lost Seguin and Hamilton who would have kept that team a cup contender for years to come instead of the bubble team they have been since 2014

Very physical team, very unpredictable, bad fancy stats

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

What about 5mil x 6 years?

Nope, longest term should be 5 years given his age.