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

[browna]

He asked for a trade last offseason and sounded like he was doing the Flames a favour by staying after being pushed down into the 3c role with Kadri arriving.

And basically lead the (whoever desired to follow) dressing room revolt against Sutter and has basically been vocal about it.

Said it somewhere else, but don’t think anyone should need to campaign to be captain on a team, it’s a natural thing that should emerge.

Sutter may have told him as much, who knows.

And certainly if it’s giving the Flames an ultimatum, to name him captain or he walks, reeks of selfishness in the twilight of a career, which flies in the face of team leadership.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

So Dube for Captain?

A

in all seriousness Backlund has been doing this kinda stuff for years in the community...not to say others haven't but I would wager he has put the most time in the community

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by dino7c

A

in all seriousness Backlund has been doing this kinda stuff for years in the community...not to say others haven't but I would wager he has put the most time in the community

It was a green text kinda comment.

[GreenLantern2814]

I’d give it to Huberdeau.

He never complained last year, he bought into the system, he didn’t sulk - he was a leader. He was a grown up.

Plus he’s the best player on the team.

Let him run with it.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by browna

He asked for a trade last offseason and sounded like he was doing the Flames a favour by staying after being pushed down into the 3c role with Kadri arriving.

And basically lead the (whoever desired to follow) dressing room revolt against Sutter and has basically been vocal about it.

Said it somewhere else, but don’t think anyone should need to campaign to be captain on a team, it’s a natural thing that should emerge.

Sutter may have told him as much, who knows.

And certainly if it’s giving the Flames an ultimatum, to name him captain or he walks, reeks of selfishness in the twilight of a career, which flies in the face of team leadership.

Nm

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I’d give it to Huberdeau.

He never complained last year, he bought into the system, he didn’t sulk - he was a leader. He was a grown up.

Plus he’s the best player on the team.

Let him run with it.

I'd be OK with this.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Your disdain for Backlund is one of the great mysteries of Calgarypuck

My annoyance with him has nothing to do with the above post. Nothing I’ve said above is conjecture with his demand or comments last offseason or his battling with Sutter (who drafted him) this year and comments on garbage bag day.

As for a captain role, if any player on the Flames openly campaigned for captain, nevermind held it over the Flames as an “or else” contractual demand, whether it be Backlund, or Tkachuk last year, or anyone else, my response on that would be the same. I don’t know of any Flame who has campaigned to be a captain if the team, outside of Tkachuk rumours last year. It went pretty organically from Lowry to Conroy to Iginla to Gio in the last 23 years.

[stamps]

Give it to him .

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by browna

He asked for a trade last offseason and sounded like he was doing the Flames a favour by staying after being pushed down into the 3c role with Kadri arriving.

And basically lead the (whoever desired to follow) dressing room revolt against Sutter and has basically been vocal about it.

Said it somewhere else, but don’t think anyone should need to campaign to be captain on a team, it’s a natural thing that should emerge.

Sutter may have told him as much, who knows.

And certainly if it’s giving the Flames an ultimatum, to name him captain or he walks, reeks of selfishness in the twilight of a career, which flies in the face of team leadership.

I disagree. Backlund has done everything to indicate he is the captain, but has just not had it put on his sweater. That was a strange Sutterism. For some reason he did not care about a captain, and the players (and Conny) thought there should be one.

[getbak]

It's interesting to see Backlund has stayed around Calgary this summer (so far). They usually head back to Sweden once the season ends.

I know guys with kids will often stay around until the end of the school year, but I don't think Backlund's daughter is quite old enough to be in school yet.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

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

Johnny walked. Within a couple of days Tkachuk told them he'll test free agency next year so it was best to trade him for something. Immediately after Tkachuk announced he wouldn't come back after the next season Backlund decided that Calgary wasn't the best situation for him anymore and asked for a trade.

Treliving got a significant return on the Tkachuk trade so Backlund reconsidered when it looked like the Flames could be competitive again.... well, this dark cloud covered the franchise and ruined all that and here we are.

[Badgers Nose]

Question for y'all:

Is it time for Dube to replace Backlund on this team?

He had a solid year, is a natural centre, and is too good for the 4th line.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Question for y'all:

Is it time for Dube to replace Backlund on this team?

He had a solid year, is a natural centre, and is too good for the 4th line.

Man is Backlund underrated around here

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Man is Backlund underrated around here

That's a no, then?

You infer too much in the question. Eventually Backlund isn't going to be here anymore, and that could be as soon as a few months from now.

[Eubee]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Man is Backlund underrated around here

I hope that is a joke. A whopping +66 in his career as a ‘defensive specialist’ with some offensive skills. He plays against the other teams top lines at times, but it’s not like it’s every shift, especially on the road.

The running defensive joke that is Connor McDavid is + 114. And real surprising that Backlunds best two +- years are ones where he’s eligible for an extension....87.8% of his +- numbers can be allocated to years that he's eligible for a contract extension when offsetting y/y to date. Leadership material to be sure. Leader of his own locker maybe.

He’s the epitome of a player that gives 80% effort on his best night and 65% on his worst. And he’s underrated?

The fact that he’s actively campaigning to be the captain is an absolute joke. He’s the poster child for the participation medal.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Question for y'all:

Is it time for Dube to replace Backlund on this team?

He had a solid year, is a natural centre, and is too good for the 4th line.

Dube shows up 50% of the time

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Dube shows up 50% of the time

And the other guys nickname is 2nd half Backs. So they have similiar qualities that way I guess.

[DropIt]

Backlund should be captain. Longest standing Flame and one of the best on the team in the community.

Not sure why we think we need to make the captain some younger player?

[Lanny_McDonald]

Time to move on from Backlund. He's coming off a great year by his standards so his value will likely never be higher. He's not in the long-term plans for this team, so dangle him out there and take the best deal you can get. He's one of those free agents Conroy mentioned you need to capitalize on. Make it happen. Flames need the $5M in cap space too boot.

[Camronius]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Time to move on from Backlund. He's coming off a great year by his standards so his value will likely never be higher. He's not in the long-term plans for this team, so dangle him out there and take the best deal you can get. He's one of those free agents Conroy mentioned you need to capitalize on. Make it happen. Flames need the $5M in cap space too boot.

Agreed, his trade value will never be higher. The best franchises are able to trade up in terms of assets.

We’re actually in this position with several players. Take the emotion out of it. 2-3 of those ~5 assets should be moved.