Mikael Backlund for Captain support thread

[TheIronMaiden]

What a stud!

[Mathgod]

Backs is unequivocally the best Flame right now. The haters are out to lunch.

[Flamescuprun2018]

He gets my vote. He is the heart and soul of the best line on this team. Despite playing the number one opposing line night after night as the "checking" line.

Has not lost a step despite his age.

Noone else close in my view except maybe Tanev.

[minnow]

Originally Posted by Cycling76er

It was mentioned in a Sutter interview earlier in the year that he needs one of the younger guys to step into the role. He doesn't want it going to an older player. He answered the question twice I believe.

Merit counts for naught. There is no younger guy.

[minnow]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Again, who is the younger core player you are cutting to make room for an aging Backlund?

There isn't one so far.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Backs is unequivocally the best Flame right now. The haters are out to lunch.

Nobody is hating on the guy, don't make this something it isn't. There are other factors in play here.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Backlund quite simply should be captain

Sutter has completely ####ed up with his not allocating a C

[Dion]

There doesn't need to be a "C" on his sweater. In fact I would think he is the leader in the dressing room.

[Goriders]

Lots of leaders on the Flames.

But not many as consistent and well spoken as Backlund.

He has the longest track record as well if that counts for anything.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Backlund is still able to play his “Selke center” role at a championship level.

But despite excelling at his on-ice role, I think his biggest contribution to the Flames has mostly been to mentor and elevate the play of his line mates. Especially noobs.

And he visibly HATES the Canucks and Oilers.

I can’t even think of what else you could ask for in a captain.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Backlund is still able to play his “Selke center” role at a championship level.

But despite excelling at his on-ice role, I think his biggest contribution to the Flames has mostly been to mentor and elevate the play of his line mates. Especially noobs.

And he visibly HATES the Canucks and Oilers.

I can’t even think of what else you could ask for in a captain.

Agreed

He led his country to gold but isn’t good enough for his country boy coach

This is embarrassing handling by the Flames

“Thanks for your years of dedication, you’d be pretty good. But you know who’d be better? Literally nobody. We are going that direction”

[jg13]

in his 15th season as a Flame, Backlund has set a new career high in points at 54! Congrats Mikael

[TheIronMaiden]

I was really hard on that Backlund contract, boy was I wrong. Textcritic and I would regularly get into it. You were right TextCritic, wherever you are.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I was really hard on that Backlund contract, boy was I wrong. Textcritic and I would regularly get into it. You were right TextCritic, wherever you are.

Where is he, anyway? Anyone know? Hope he’s OK, I enjoyed him.

[JohnnyB]

Good leaders step up during adversity. This has been a season of adversity, and Backlund has stepped up with a personal record season. Good for him. Give him the C.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I was really hard on that Backlund contract, boy was I wrong. Textcritic and I would regularly get into it. You were right TextCritic, wherever you are.

Yeah I wasn't a fan of the contract but as with Gio, he's managed to maintain a high level of play throughout the duration of the contract. One can only hope that the other Flames signed into their mid-30's work out as well as those two contracts.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Backlund the Flames nominee for the Masterton Trophy.