Francis: Backlund contract talks heating up. Ask is around $5 mil x 5 or 6 years

[Vinny01]

5x5 get it done!!!

[ClubFlames]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Brace for a Back-lover-time user to register and pollute this thread with 8 x $8.5million demands.

[Fire in the disco]

Backs bleeds Flames red and is a great hockey player. 5x5 sounds completely fair and is a good deal for Calgary

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Brace for a Backlovertime user to register and pollute this thread with 8 x $8.5million demands.

Does he have his own theme song

[DJones]

5M x 5 years would be a great contract.

[Erick Estrada]

I would love to see something slightly under $5 million per season seeing he's likely going to be serving 3rd line duty for a good portion of this contract.

[N-E-B]

Jeez, I was expecting the ask to be 6 with a settlement at 5. If he's asking 5 maybe they can settle in the 4.5 range. I think this could be a good contract for the Flames.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by jg13

Pay him the money.

He'd get way more than that as a UFA.

And he'd probably get even more if he signed in the KHL

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I would love to see something slightly under $5 million per season seeing he's likely going to be serving 3rd line duty for a good portion of this contract.

I wouldn't say it is likely at all, since Backlund is presently a solid second-line centre, and given his age should continue to produce as one for at least a few more years.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DJones

5M x 5 years would be a great contract.

[whispers so Backs' agent can't hear] You are right, but if that's just the ask, Treliving would be negligent not to make a counteroffer.

But since Backs makes $3.5 now there isn't much space - he's not standing pat and $4M would an insulting $500K raise (I should be insulted like that at my job though). So now I've talked myself into quibbling between $4.5 and $5M? Doesn't seem like it's worth it.

I suppose there's a bunch to be discussed around NMC/NTC, signing bonus, lockout protection, etc.

[Tinordi]

Don't want to pay Backlund when he's 34.

[Icon]

Clearly the only hold up is trade talks with the isles for Tavares.

[Beninho]

Not been the biggest fan of Backlunds play of late but holy hell 5 million is a glorious deal for Backs.

[442scotty]

4.5 x 4 would be perfect

[Tinordi]

Good to know Backlund's agent has Eric Francis' phone number.

[Calgary4LIfe]

If true (Francis after all), then I can breathe a sigh of relief. Was worried things were going to become difficult, and either lose him for nothing or end up trading him for a possible lower return.

A guy like Backlund helps you win. Not only does he do a great job at limiting what the other teams' best lines are able to generate, but he also allows for easier match-ups so that the first and third lines can have a better opportunity to generate offence. He also seems to make anyone he plays with better.

I will feel way better after he is signed. Definitely encouraging!

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

4.5 x 4 would be perfect

Not sure why he would do that. He could get a way longer deal for more money in free agency.

[CaptainCrunch]

Hasn't Francis been pretty accurate when it comes to contract talks?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

4.5 x 4 would be perfect

Then Backlund's going to free agency. Someone will give him more. If we aren't willing to give an extra 250k each year and another year, he'll look elsewhere.

[Ashasx]

My prediction is 5 years, somewhere between $4.5 - $5 million.