[Rumour] Backlund "badly wants" to be Captain of the Flames

[Reggie Dunlop]

I wouldn't overlook Chris Tanev, even given his contract situation. Certainly a guy who leads by example, and there's a good argument to have a defenceman as captain (typically on the ice more than a forward).

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

His offensive numbers were good but his defensive game is starting to erode. If Backlund wants money anywhere near what he makes now you ship him out the door. Personally I would anyhow, I think a change of scenery would be good for both parties. The guy has asked out for two straight years now, grant him it.

His numbers the last 2 seasons are among some of the best in his career. I see no signs of defensive erosion. Lose Backlund and you might as well tear it down to the studs. You aren't winning or competing for a title without him or at the very least a highly capable replacement considering Kadri is not capable of playing the tougher matchups.

Change is needed and if Lindholm is still non-committal, you flip him or him+ for another first rounder this year and rely on Backlund and Kadri to bridge the gap until these two picks are ready to join the new, younger lineup featuring Pelletier, Coronato, Wolf. You obviously need a partner to make it happen, but another sign and trade could be appealing to several of the teams in the 8-12 range imo. If you were to add say Colby Barlow and Mathew Wood to that group via the 2023 draft, suddenly the roster is starting to look a whole lot different and more promising in a season or two.

[Redlan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

There was no player that felt he could be the buffer [between Sutter and the players].

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Exactly. Why does someone need to have a "C" on their jersey to run the room?!

This is a big leadership issue if no one could step up to do this. A true leader would assume this role regardless of the situation of who is a Captain, Alternate, etc. Listened to the podcast and that was the insinuation, no player felt they were assigned the role but a true leader would not care and take that upon themselves. Now maybe Backlund actually did this and really the players want this acknowledge and consistency in the role.

I don't buy into youth and longevity augments as to who should get the "C" - it should go to the player who could best fill the responsibility, particularly in instances team related at this time.

[keenan87]

Yeah, no thanks. Hopefully Backlund is traded.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

I don't think it's a viable option anymore. He will be 35 when a new contract kicks in, and I am not sure you want to be appointing a player who is rumored to have requested out in two consecutive summers leading the dressing room.

I think you need to look to a long term leader in Andersson or Weegar.

I also don't really like the angle of "name me captain" or I'll look elsewhere, even though I get it from his perspective.

I understand Backlund’s perspective. He got shafted through the years when he was a silent performer in his role. But to me it’s a sunk cost like you said. He’s older and it doesn’t make much sense. If just apologize to him for the wrong, but righting that wrong doesn’t mean he should be captain if he won’t be around long term from a team planning perspective. The team should simply be moving on from anyone older at this point. I like Weegar as captain. Andersson I don’t think has a high level of play to be around long term.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

His numbers the last 2 seasons are among some of the best in his career. I see no signs of defensive erosion. Lose Backlund and you might as well tear it down to the studs. You aren't winning or competing for a title without him or at the very least a highly capable replacement considering Kadri is not capable of playing the tougher matchups.

Change is needed and if Lindholm is still non-committal, you flip him or him+ for another first rounder this year and rely on Backlund and Kadri to bridge the gap until these two picks are ready to join the new, younger lineup featuring Pelletier, Coronato, Wolf. You obviously need a partner to make it happen, but another sign and trade could be appealing to several of the teams in the 8-12 range imo. If you were to add say Colby Barlow and Mathew Wood to that group via the 2023 draft, suddenly the roster is starting to look a whole lot different and more promising in a season or two.

If you are relying on Kadri and Backlund to fill in the gap that Lindholm would leave you might as well blow it up because they can't and the team will be a lottery team. Bscklund's defensive game has not been high end for a few seasons now, there is zero reason to keep him him if you are moving Lindholm for futures. Especially after he said he wants to play for a contender which this team is definitely not without Lindholm or replacing him with someone who can play #1 C.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I understand Backlund’s perspective. He got shafted through the years when he was a silent performer in his role. But to me it’s a sunk cost like you said. He’s older and it doesn’t make much sense. If just apologize to him for the wrong, but righting that wrong doesn’t mean he should be captain if he won’t be around long term from a team planning perspective. The team should simply be moving on from anyone older at this point. I like Weegar as captain. Andersson I don’t think has a high level of play to be around long term.

There's far less impact and risk to re-upping with Backlund on a 2-3 year deal (and giving him the C) than there is extending guys like Lindholm, Toffoli, Hanifin for much longer as would be required.

The biggest concern is not who is captain, but who needs to be shipped out in order to give the room a reset that it needs. You're not moving Kadri or Huberdeau at this point so it has to be one of the above and if done prudently could net a serious return and give the franchise a big shot in the arm.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

There's far less impact and risk to re-upping with Backlund on a 2-3 year deal (and giving him the C) than there is extending guys like Lindholm, Toffoli, Hanifin for much longer as would be required.

The biggest concern is not who is captain, but who needs to be shipped out in order to give the room a reset that it needs. You're not moving Kadri or Huberdeau at this point so it has to be one of the above and if done prudently could net a serious return and give the franchise a big shot in the arm.

Agree completely.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

If you are relying on Kadri and Backlund to fill in the gap that Lindholm would leave you might as well blow it up because they can't and the team will be a lottery team. Bscklund's defensive game has not been high end for a few seasons now, there is zero reason to keep him him if you are moving Lindholm for futures. Especially after he said he wants to play for a contender which this team is definitely not without Lindholm or replacing him with someone who can play #1 C.

Not been high end defensively? Funny as again, Backlund's defensive numbers are among the best in his career the last couple of seasons. Strange how this narrative is somehow conveniently forming among those that want him out.

If you're moving Lindholm for futures, that means a capable younger player or high draft pick coming back this year - not something that is 3-4 seasons away from showing up and making an impact. Anyone questioning Backlund should certainly be questioning Lindholm as well. He is right in the wheelhouse of the core group that was not nearly good enough production wise on a night by night basis last season.

Ideally, you can keep both on modest deals in terms of length and AAV and move out players like Toffoli and Tanev to restock the cupboards so to speak. However, I don't see Lindholm asking for anything less than top dollar and term given his recent deal and age. If this is the case it's adios Elias if I'm Conroy.

[jlh2640]

If Backlund is going to re-sign, for cheaper then he can get somewhere else. He is my captain.

[D as in David]

I don't get the argument that it's too late for Backlund to become captain (assuming he is re-signed). The start of his new contract will begin 12 months after his career season at the age of 35. Patrice Bergeron, while a higher calibre player but a player Backlund's style is compared to, was named captain of the Bruins on January 7, 2021 when he was 35 years old.

[ComixZone]

Player requests trades in back to back off-seasons because he wants a chance at winning a Stanley Cup.

…yeah, that’s who you want to be Captain to begin a new era…really?

Trade him.

[dino7c]

He didn't ask for a trade this year...he said he wants a cup with the priority being a cup in Calgary

That is bad?

[GioforPM]

I never heard Backlund requested a trade "to win a cup". That's a conflation of his trade requests (which IMO were Sutter based) and his garbage bag day comments.

[bzoo02]

Okposo just signed 1yr/$2.5MM. I don't think a 2X$3 or 3X$3 is out of the question for Backlund.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I never heard Backlund requested a trade "to win a cup". That's a conflation of his trade requests (which IMO were Sutter based) and his garbage bag day comments.

He apparently rescinded one of them after the Tkachuk trade

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Bonded

He apparently rescinded one of them after the Tkachuk trade

Honest question, did he requested a trade because of Tkachuk then?

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Honest question, did he requested a trade because of Tkachuk then?

Probably thought with those 2 gone it was going to be a rebuild. Trade return probably changed his mind.

[Kidder]

Honestly surprised by some of the sentiment here.

Guy just had a career year, has bled red since draft day, and has such a strong desire to capture the cup he’s prepared to do whatever he needs to achieve that (with his preference being to wear the small C and lead this team to victory).

If he’s going to take a discount and re-sign for a few more years, how the heck are you not on board?

I’d be thrilled if Backlund decides to stay and assumes the captaincy.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Decide the Captaincy via Feats of Strength.

GoT and Giuliani: instead of Trial by Combat, it'll be captaincy by combat. Bring it on!