2022/2023 Trade Speculation and Rumours

[Harry Lime]

If Kadri ends up here, it's because he misjudged the market. Gaudreau eneded up with 750k a year less than he thought, and if Kadri thought he was a 7M a year player and signs for 6M instead that would be good value.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

He absolutely can and has for many years.

At this stage in his career, I don't believe Backlund can drive a 2nd line in terms of an offensive contribution

I would think he is more a shutdown 3rd line center.

[TheScorpion]

Feels like we've been saying that about Backlund since 2016.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Feels like we've been saying that about Backlund since 2016.

yep, however he has been more a 3rd line center for several years now.

[Ryan Coke]

I think that Kadri is having to decide between the term he wants but at a cap hit much lower than he was hoping for, or a shorter bigger money deal.

I doubt he is getting term and big money at this point.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by flambers

yep, however he has been more a 3rd line center for several years now.

I disagree ... he'd be the best third-line centre in the league by a mile if that were the case.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by AC

Really? Dube can fly, I think his skating is his strongest attribute.

Looking at Crouse highlights, his skating looks very average.

I saw a post the other day on here that cited the quickest players in the league in terms of top speed.

I remember seeing Necas, Crouse and Kyrou in the top 5.

[MrMike]

Backlund is a perfect 2A/2B center. If we had Kadri we’d have two second lines. One more scoring and one more defensive.

[GioforPM]

I hate calling a shutdown guy a 3C. Just on the basis of the minutes they need to log.

[Sandman]

Backlund and whatever linemates he is given always have some of the best advanced stats in the league, with a ton of D-zone starts. He’s one of the best 2nd liners in the NHL. I agree though, that we need another C who can put up offence.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I disagree ... he'd be the best third-line centre in the league by a mile if that were the case.

Yea, he is which is why we’re lucky to have him.
He’s best suited in the Shutdown / 3rd line energy role without a doubt.
That’s his bread and butter role which he excels at exceptionally well. D zone starts and the PK… and that’s not a bad thing.

He can slot in as a 2a centre from time to time (when he’s on) but I don’t see him as a full time point producing/line driving C.

With that said if the Flames can snag a true top 2C you can’t argue they would be a way more potent team down the middle.

[GranteedEV]

Backlund is a perfect 2C if you have a legitimate 1C. I think the fact that we lack a 1C is why people want to upgrade on him, as Lindholm is more of a 2C himself

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by flambers

At this stage in his career, I don't believe Backlund can drive a 2nd line in terms of an offensive contribution

I would think he is more a shutdown 3rd line center.

I don't buy that at all. Backlund's production might be more streaky than it's ever been, but his ES production is still strong and solid for a second liner. His last three years:

2019-20
Production: 31 pts in 70 games (44th among Cs, 99th in the NHL)
Primary ES Linemates: Tkachuk (36th), Mangiapane (105th)

2020-21
Production: 24 pts in 54 games (45th among Cs, 105th in the NHL)
Primary ES Linemates: Mangiapane (87th), Lucic (134th), Nordstrom (373rd)

2021-22
Production: 32 pts in 82 games (72th among Cs, 150th in the NHL)
Primary ES Linemates: Coleman (163rd), Mangiapane (83rd)


Backlund's relative ES production may have dipped substantially this past season, but a lot of the players that he was matched up against had career years and bounce-back seasons. He was regularly matched up against Rantanen, MacKinnon, McDavid, Draisaitl, Zegras, Pettersson, Tarasenko, Pacioretty, Kopitar, Keller, Huberdeau, Matthews, Marner, Zibanejad, etc.

Give him another solid offensive forward to play with (no offense to Coleman), and the Flames will have a good second line.

[djsFlames]

Lindholm is a 1C, just not a top tier one.

2Cs don't put up PPG Selke caliber seasons.

Would put him middle of the pack.

[PepsiFree]

Yeah, Lindholm is as legitimate a 1C as they come. Not your franchise/all star type, but there are only a handful of those.

Backlund to me is a solid 2nd line C. He’s the kind of guy who makes a 3rd line look like your 2nd if that’s where you put him. Doesn’t give you enough to centre the 1st line, but he’s solid.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Backlund is a perfect 2C if you have a legitimate 1C. I think the fact that we lack a 1C is why people want to upgrade on him, as Lindholm is more of a 2C himself

Lindholm is a what!?

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Lindholm is a 1C, just not a top tier one.

2Cs don't put up PPG Selke caliber seasons.

Would put him middle of the pack.

I would agree with this. Not a play driver, but a guy that can play with the best on your team. He's all the things that Monahan never lived up to. It would be a huge benefit if Monahan could rebound and be the complimentary 2nd liner to Lindholm's first. Neither are top players at their positions, but could easily become an extremely effective 1-2 punch, complimented greatly by Backlund at #3. Flames need this to come together to take the next step.

[Vinny01]

40 goals, point per game, elite defensively. Ya that is a second line guy on any team.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

My hot take is that Dube is better at the centre position. He could be that offensive driving C. (Call it 2C or 3C, I don’t care). Needs to gain Sutters trust on the D side though.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

My hot take is that Dube is better at the centre position. He could be that offensive driving C. (Call it 2C or 3C, I don’t care). Needs to gain Sutters trust on the D side though.

Dube's got a lot of chutzpah but I dunno about offense... Backlund is definitely better offensively than Dube.