Re-sign Backlund Thread

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

It is interesting the FAN almost never discusses Backlind moving on or potentially being trade bait even though he is a pending UFA without a contract on a team without picks in the top 3 rounds (assuming they make playoffs)

There's a remarkable lack of news around Backlund all together right now. The Fan guys seem to avoid it on purpose, it's odd and it's not unlike how Curtis Glencross was handled prior to him being shipped out at the deadline despite the fact the team was playoff bound.

[Monahammer]

I've been a backlund booster for years but he seems to shy away when put in the spotlight, which is what is happening a bit this year. He preforms marvellously when he's overlooked and unhyped.

I think Treliving has been looking to upgrade on him- hence the Turris rumors (damn that would have been really cool IMO).

What do you guys think ROR would cost? I could stomach him, though it would be nicer if he was a RHS.

[kukkudo]

Trade Deadline is just over a month away. If the Flames are sitting out 2-6pts do you trade him?

Most likely a late first round and a B prospect?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

There's a remarkable lack of news around Backlund all together right now. The Fan guys seem to avoid it on purpose, it's odd and it's not unlike how Curtis Glencross was handled prior to him being shipped out at the deadline despite the fact the team was playoff bound.

One of the big differences is the Flames had Ferland in the mix and Glencross was traded to make a spot for him. I recall Hartley saying this in interviews.

Flames don’t really have a built in Backlund replacement unless they want to try Bennett or Jankowski over their head

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Trade Deadline is just over a month away. If the Flames are sitting out 2-6pts do you trade him?

Most likely a late first round and a B prospect?

I actually picked apart the only times that other teams have traded top 10 picks in the last decade, in an effort to see if somehow getting Tkachuk 3.0 was possible:

Teams that have traded top 10 picks:

2017: Arizona --> NYR , 7th overall (Lias Andersson) -- They had another pick in the 1st round from Minnesota. The trade looks pretty bad in retrospect, but it was to obtain a 1b/2C in Stepan.
2016: None- 11th was highest pick traded
2015: None- 13th was highest pick traded
2014: Ottawa --> Anaheim, 10th overall (Nick Ritchie)-- Ottawa was acquiring Bobby Ryan, and did not have another pick in the 1st round. Terrible trade in retrospect (they also lost silvferberg lol)
2013: New Jersey --> Vancouver, 9th overall (Bo Horvat) -- This was to acquire Cory Schneider. Probably a fair trade.
2012: Carolina --> Pittsburgh, 8th overall (Derek Pouliot) -- This trade was to acquire Jordan Staal (another 1b/2c) so that seems like an established cost. This trade looks pretty good in retrospect, but it also makes the az trade last year look reasonable
2011: Columbus--> Philadelphia, 8th overall (Sean Couturier); Toronto --> Boston, 9th overall (Dougie Hamilton) -- Columbus traded this pick for Jeff Carter (another 1b/2c, slightly better than the other two listed but had off-ice blemishes), the toronto/boston was part of the infamous kessell package.
2010: None outside of the kessell/seguin toronto fiasco
2009: None
2008: NYI --> Toronto, 5th overall (Luke Schenn); NYI ---> Nashville, 7th overall (Colin Wilson); Nashville ---> NYI (Josh Bailey) --- Although there were three trades in the top 10, none of the teams who traded actually left the top 10 in terms of picks, just shuffled the deck chairs
2007: St. Louis --> San Jose , 9th Overall (Logan Couture) -- This one is the only one i could find where a team moved out of the top 10 for less than an established 2nd line centre, and really they only moved down 4 slots to 13 and picked up a 2nd rounder in the process. Normally this is a decent trade, but in retrospect they lost as they missed on Couture for Lars eller and a nobody.
2006: None
2005: Atlanta --> San Jose, 8th overall (Devon Setoguchi) -- this was another trade down scenario, atlanta moved down 4 slots to 12th and picked up a 2nd rounder.

So since the lockout, only two top 5 picks have been traded, only one while it was known to be top 5 and it was to move down within the top 10. The going rate for a top 10 pick seems to be as part of a package for a high caliber centre, or a trade down in the round to get more picks.
Out of 130 available top 10 selections since the salary cap was instituted, only 12 (9.2%) have been traded, and only 7 (5.3%) were trades that didn't recoup a 1st rounder from the same year.
In short I don't think it's likely at all that we can trade to get Tkachuk, especially if he's drafted top-5

In summary, top 5 picks are never traded, but picks from 7-10 were sometimes traded, and for centres in the same range as Backlund (or maybe slightly better). However that was with some term, backlund being a UFA kills his value a bit.

[dammage79]

Have a feeling Backlund will be traded. It'll be one of those trades where the team gets to negotiate a deal before the trade takes place. This way the Flames can maximize their return and get what they want which will be what I assuming will be a cost controlled player who will be with the team for three to four years. This way the list of teams vying for his services is almost all of the teams.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Trade Deadline is just over a month away. If the Flames are sitting out 2-6pts do you trade him?

Most likely a late first round and a B prospect?

Honestly think they get more, there is always at least one playoff bound GM, that bows his brains out to get an asset that he needs, and Backlund is a very good asset.

You're not going to get a lottery pick, because frankly teams not making the playoffs aren't in play, and Treliving probably isn't going to trade him anywhere but east.

so who really falls into that plane

Washington
New Jersey
Columbus
Tampa
Boston
Toronto
Philly
Rangers
Pittsburgh
Islanders

Are your shopping list. You can trade him in the West, but there has to be a premium paid.

So who above needs a possible rental 2c/3c?

And are the Flames looking to recover a draft pick, or get something back that helps them now?

[Ashasx]

The Flames are simply not going to trade Backlund when the Islanders have our 1st round pick.

This team has no shot at the playoffs without him.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Have a feeling Backlund will be traded. It'll be one of those trades where the team gets to negotiate a deal before the trade takes place. This way the Flames can maximize their return and get what they want which will be what I assuming will be a cost controlled player who will be with the team for three to four years. This way the list of teams vying for his services is almost all of the teams.

Using the Stepan trade or Turris trade as a model would net us something substantial in return for Backlund, at minimum a first this coming year (top-15) and a A- prospect. I don't know about helping the team this year but IMO we only trade Backlund if we're looking like we're out of the race anyways, so futures should be the target.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The Flames are simply not going to trade Backlund when the Islanders have our 1st round pick.

This team has no shot at the playoffs without him.

I'm usually an optimist, but if we have a losing streak to rival our recent winning streak we're going to be on the outside looking in again. If that's the case I agree with the chorus here and say we should maximize what we get out of Backs.

I wouldn't pull the trigger without having a better idea of the playoff picture, but if we're close to missing the dance I think you deal him. In that scenario, Tre has got to be laying the groundwork now.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The Flames are simply not going to trade Backlund when the Islanders have our 1st round pick.

This team has no shot at the playoffs without him.

No idea what one has to do with the other. Strange co-relation.

I would say that if no extension is in place and Treliving thinks Backlund wants to test the market, it almost ensures Backlund getting dealt by the TD.

And the biggest reason would be to recoup some of the draft picks they lack as we sit today.

This club is not anywhere close enough to contend to allow an asset of his value walk for nothing in the summer.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by transplant99

No idea what one has to do with the other. Strange co-relation.

I would say that if no extension is in place and Treliving thinks Backlund wants to test the market, it almost ensures Backlund getting dealt by the TD.

And the biggest reason would be to recoup some of the draft picks they lack as we sit today.

This club is not anywhere close enough to contend to allow an asset of his value walk for nothing in the summer.

Wait, you actually think Treliving is going to trade one of our best forwards that literally makes life easier for every player on the team when we are within striking distance of the playoffs AND the Islanders have our 1st round pick and will only be picking higher the worse the Flames do?

Unless the Flames absolutely nose dive over these next few weeks, there is absolutely zero chance Backlund is traded. It's not even worth discussing.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The Flames are simply not going to trade Backlund when the Islanders have our 1st round pick.

This team has no shot at the playoffs without him.

Don't think that is true at all. The rise of Jankowski makes the loss of Backlund palpable. It's a crap shoot as of right now who gets in anyways. If the Flames miss and lose Backlund for nothing then it makes an already bad situation (if the Flames miss the playoffs) worse.

I also think that a Backlund trade brings in a serviceable #3 center to play behind Jankowski and Monahan.

I love Backlund as much as the next fan but constantly reading he is the lynchpin that keeps this team in the race is far too overblown.

He's just not getting the contract that is reasonable enough.for the Flames to live with.

[Ashasx]

"The rise of Jankowski"?

People think Jankowski is anywhere close right now to perform even a quarter of Backlund's role?

You guys simply either don't appreciate or understand the role that Backlund plays on this team.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Unless the Flames absolutely nose dive over these next few weeks, there is absolutely zero chance Backlund is traded. It's not even worth discussing.

IMO this decision on Backlund has nothing to do with where the Flames sit in the standings. BT will earn his money by either getting Backlund signed before the trade deadline or trading him to another playoff team in the East for assets.

BT does not earn his money by letting Backlund go for nothing in July. Indeed that is the worst case scenario.

I fully understand Backlund's importance, but if he can't be signed for money that fits our salary structure - he must be traded.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Kovaz

If Tavares is available, you move heaven and earth to sign him, and if that means losing Backlund so be it. But I think in the context of this thread, you can still re-sign him and if Tavares wants to be a Flame you'll have plenty of takers if you make Backlund available.

If Tavares is available I would trade for his rights and try and sign him before he hits UFA status. I'm all for signing Tavares even if it costs us backlund but if we miss out on Tavares no other UFA forward makes it worth us losing Backlund even if Backlund gets 6 per year

If Backlund gets 6 per year or less no way will the Flames be in a spot that they will have any cap issues to resign Tkachuk, Bennett and Ferland. The only way I would part with Ferland is if his demands are unreasonable. But they should do that no matter what they do with Backlund

So many posters on here contradict themselves. Can't trade Fox, can't trade Valimaki, can't trade Dube but then everyone panics when the cap gets tight. Can't lose Frolik, can't lose Smith, can't lose Brodie. So none of our prospects are going to make the team on their ELC's ever?

Also the cap will go up again the follow year. If this summer projects to 78-82 even if you assume 78 what will it be the following summer? Lets project 81-84 and assume 81. This also will help the Flames keep everyone. They will not have cap problems for years if the sign Backlund for 6 unless all their prospects are somehow worse than Stone, Stajan, Hamonic, Brouwer type players. All players everyone says are overrated and overpaid

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Corral

IMO this decision on Backlund has nothing to do with where the Flames sit in the standings. BT will earn his money by either getting Backlund signed before the trade deadline or trading him to another playoff team in the East for assets.

BT does not earn his money by letting Backlund go for nothing in July. Indeed that is the worst case scenario.

I fully understand Backlund's importance, but if he can't be signed for money that fits our salary structure - he must be traded.

The cap has gone up every season since the lockout. It is projected to increase significantly for next season. It will skyrocket again when Seattle gets a team. We lose Stajan this summer. Brouwer will be bought out.

Until the salary cap is actually a problem for this team, let's not go ahead and trade away our best players with the intention to mitigate an anticipated problem in the future. Right now, nobody in this organization is projected to be able to perform Backlund's role. If you trade Backlund, you may as well blow it up because he is that important to this team.

If by some good fortune we have our prospects turn out and players develop from within our system, trading Backlund, a good player on a fair contract, won't be an issue.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Wait, you actually think Treliving is going to trade one of our best forwards that literally makes life easier for every player on the team when we are within striking distance of the playoffs AND the Islanders have our 1st round pick and will only be picking higher the worse the Flames do?

Unless the Flames absolutely nose dive over these next few weeks, there is absolutely zero chance Backlund is traded. It's not even worth discussing.

Then quit discussing it and let others who have differing view of yours, do so. That arrogance is astounding.

And yes, I believe that regardless of positioning, the Flames can ill afford to allow Backlund to walk with zero return for him (depending on offers). I think most GM's would think the same way unless they are convinced their club can go on a deep run. Treliving is a smart guy and if he believes his club is lacking the necessary pieces to go deep into the playoffs, he will have a contingency plan in place with a few different guys around the league on what they would be willing to give up, and should one of those packages satisfy BT, he pulls the trigger.

Again though, what the hell difference does it make to Treliving on making a deal because the Islanders have the Flames 1st rounder? That pick is gone...doesnt matter what the Flames do from here on out.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The cap has gone up every season since the lockout. It is projected to increase significantly for next season. It will skyrocket again when Seattle gets a team. We lose Stajan this summer. Brouwer will be bought out.

Until the salary cap is actually a problem for this team, let's not go ahead and trade away our best players with the intention to mitigate an anticipated problem in the future. Right now, nobody in this organization is projected to be able to perform Backlund's role. If you trade Backlund, you may as well blow it up because he is that important to this team.

If by some good fortune we have our prospects turn out and players develop from within our system, trading Backlund, a good player on a fair contract, won't be an issue.

No it wont.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Then quit discussing it and let others who have differing view of yours, do so. That arrogance is astounding.

And yes, I believe that regardless of positioning, the Flames can ill afford to allow Backlund to walk with zero return for him (depending on offers). I think most GM's would think the same way unless they are convinced their club can go on a deep run. Treliving is a smart guy and if he believes his club is lacking the necessary pieces to go deep into the playoffs, he will have a contingency plan in place with a few different guys around the league on what they would be willing to give up, and should one of those packages satisfy BT, he pulls the trigger.

Again though, what the hell difference does it make to Treliving on making a deal because the Islanders have the Flames 1st rounder? That pick is gone...doesnt matter what the Flames do from here on out.

This isn't the sunk cost effect. GMs have shelf lives. You ideally make the best moves for the long term health of this organization.

But the Flames have already gone all in on this season. We have no draft picks in the first 3 rounds. We aren't pulling out a month before the deadline. It just doesn't happen. Treliving's job is likely on the line right now.

If you don't think trading our 1st round pick doesn't matter, then I don't know what else to say.