[Rumour] Backlund leaning towards not re-signing with Flames

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

That would be managements decision, not Backlunds. I didn't refer to what management might be thinking, only how Backlund might be viewing this.

Of course these players are going to aim for what's best for them. Having good years and being a UFA next July is the best situation. It's the opposite for the team.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Sandman

That’s one of the big problems IMO. Most of the teams that would want a player like Backs or Lindy already made moves to plug their holes.

If Waddell was smart he would be throwing a package of picks and prospects for a half priced Backlund rather than chasing Karlsson. Doubt Carolina has the horses for a package for Lindholm unless it includes Jarvis but something like Scott Morrow, Vasily Ponomarev and a 2nd round pick should definitely be considered for a 3 million dollar Backlund.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Of course these players are going to aim for what's best for them. Having good years and being a UFA next July is the best situation. It's the opposite for the team.

So then why were you speaking to Backlund as lacking leadership because he hasn't made a decision yet? You might want to go back and read your post. Seems like you're contradicting yourself. Or maybe I have what you meant mixed up?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

How can you take that risk with these main pieces?

10 guys in contract years. A couple of promising rookies in Coronato and Pelletier looking to carve out a permanent spot. Duehr and Ruzicka rounding into solid full time players. The rest of the roster should be significantly motivated to have way better seasons plus a new coaching staff wanting to make an impression.

No one can see the future but it's not impossible that the team is high in the division at the trade deadline and well positioned for playoffs. Not a chance Edwards lets these guys be traded at the deadline and a playoff team taken off the tracks.

I wouldn’t with Hanifin. I probably would with Lindholm since he’s a huge piece to keep and he’d be valuable at the deadline.

Backlund, I’d wait until deadline because it will only increase the return.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

If Waddell was smart he would be throwing a package of picks and prospects for a half priced Backlund rather than chasing Karlsson. Doubt Carolina has the horses for a package for Lindholm unless it includes Jarvis but something like Scott Morrow, Vasily Ponomarev and a 2nd round pick should definitely be considered for a 3 million dollar Backlund.

You really think we could get a package like that for Backlund, even at half price? I’m not so sure….

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Boreal

Sutter challenges players, and as much as he “changed”, he can still be reckless and derogatory in how he provides feedback. His response about Huberdeau leaving the bench to “take an S” was an example

If my boss put out a public press release that I missed a major meeting because I was taking a s*** that's harassment and a lawsuit.

How can an adult human with this much coaching experience think that's "challenging a player"? How does that make the player perform better? Because it keeps him in check under your bullying authority?

The guy has to go back in to adjust some equipment and you go on s*** on him in public?

Sutter should have been fired a long time ago and the stories go that this type of harassment happened up and down the organization. Sutter's return truly exemplifies the phrase "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain" in a way that I never understood when I first watch Batman.

[DeluxeMoustache]

^ I don’t get how it’s harassment

It was dumb and unprofessional, unproductive and maybe embarrassing on Sutter, but man some people have thin skin

[jlh2640]

This world is so soft now lol. That is clear. Very broad term for harassment these days.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

If my boss put out a public press release that I missed a major meeting because I was taking a s*** that's harassment and a lawsuit.

How can an adult human with this much coaching experience think that's "challenging a player"? How does that make the player perform better? Because it keeps him in check under your bullying authority?

The guy has to go back in to adjust some equipment and you go on s*** on him in public?

Sutter should have been fired a long time ago and the stories go that this type of harassment happened up and down the organization. Sutter's return truly exemplifies the phrase "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain" in a way that I never understood when I first watch Batman.

You are sowrong in so many ways.
1: it's not harassment to say someone was taking a ####
2. He wasn't challenging the player he was criticizing the media for asking about injuries
3. He was injured not adjusting equipment.
4. Sutter should've been fired a long time ago eh? Like when they were winning the division last season?

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

This world is so soft now lol.

Reminds me of this quote, can't remember where I heard it first (maybe here?!)

"Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times."

(G. Michael Hopf)

[GioforPM]

I'm 100% not a Sutter apologist. His style had obviously worn thin and he made some very strange moves this season. But that "taking a s**t" business - that baffled me as far as how much outrage there was. It was so obviously tongue in cheek and not a reflection on Huberdeau at all.

[Harry Lime]

I got the impression that Sutter saw a problem in the room, ran out of his old tricks, and decided to try to make himself the enemy in an attempt to gel the players against him. It didn't work and they just got sad instead.

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm 100% not a Sutter apologist. His style had obviously worn thin and he made some very strange moves this season. But that "taking a s**t" business - that baffled me as far as how much outrage there was. It was so obviously tongue in cheek and not a reflection on Huberdeau at all.

as has been said, more of a shot at the press for asking questions about injuries than a shot at the player

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

So then why were you speaking to Backlund as lacking leadership because he hasn't made a decision yet? You might want to go back and read your post. Seems like you're contradicting yourself. Or maybe I have what you meant mixed up?

Not sure how that's contradicting. Player wants to wait and see how everything around him shapes up, instead of stepping up and leading the situation.

Nearly all players would love to be walked to UFA after a good year but that's rarely the reality in an asset management league.

It's why (not that I take what Conroy tells the media at full value) no deadline for Lindholm would be a problem. If all of the guys needing to make decisions are free to wait to see the direction of the team, but they're all the dominoes it goes nowhere.

Management has to apply some pressure, but these player's decisions are part of the direction of the team. So step up and help set the direction of the team.

They have to know they're not getting to UFA without being traded first (except for the Edwards playoff caveat). They can't go through another Gaudreau situation and that should be obvious to everyone and if it isn't then there's more problems than we know.

[Canada 02]

Huberdaeau was injured and left the bench.
After the game Salim asked what happened to Huby. Sutter never talks about injuries. So he very sarcastically says what he said. It was a shot at Salim for asking, what Sutter thought, was a stupid question. It was not a shot at Huby

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Not sure how that's contradicting. Player wants to wait and see how everything around him shapes up, instead of stepping up and leading the situation.

Nearly all players would love to be walked to UFA after a good year but that's rarely the reality in an asset management league.

It's why (not that I take what Conroy tells the media at full value) no deadline for Lindholm would be a problem. If all of the guys needing to make decisions are free to wait to see the direction of the team, but they're all the dominoes it goes nowhere.

Management has to apply some pressure, but these player's decisions are part of the direction of the team. So step up and help set the direction of the team.

They have to know they're not getting to UFA without being traded first (except for the Edwards playoff caveat). They can't go through another Gaudreau situation and that should be obvious to everyone and if it isn't then there's more problems than we know.

Iginla nearly held out due to a contract. Giordano went to the KHL for a season because he and the team couldn't come to an agreement. The business is the business and has nothing to do with team leadership.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think it is too much reading into things. I think Backlund says exactly what he means (as long as Google translate works).


In the garbage day presser, he states: "I want to win, and I am old already. I want to win a Stanley Cup before I retire. I prefer that it happens in Calgary, but if not.." Not verbatim as I am too lazy to look it up exactly.


In this interview, it is pretty much the same thing. Flames looked like a contender until the playoffs, and things didn't work out. Then they lost their 2 best players (and another player that was a big leader). (During this point is when Backlund apparently asked for his trade, and then rescinded it after the returns on the Tkachuk trade + Kadri signing were known). Seems like entering the season, the expectation from inside the room was to have a successful season. Things didn't work out. For whatever reason, the mix didn't work. Now he is unsure if he wants to continue with Calgary while Calgary is trying to figure out how to move forward again, as his number of years (or number of tries) is running out. I think that's fair.


As for the Sutter comments - nothing new here either. A lot of players love Sutter win or lose. However, a lot of players don't. Having a difficult coach is one thing, but having a difficult coach and losing is another. I don't think there is anything to dig deeper in either - I think what he says is what it is.



In my opinion, there should have been a captain on this team last year. Conroy thought so too. Some posters thought it was all just voodoo. A team without strong leadership - especially a strong captain - can fall apart quickly. I think that's partly to blame last year. This team just didn't gel properly and get moving all in the same direction. This is not saying that people didn't buy-in, or that there were factions in the room, but I just think this team didn't function very well as a team.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Iginla nearly held out due to a contract. Giordano went to the KHL for a season because he and the team couldn't come to an agreement. The business is the business and has nothing to do with team leadership.

The only UFA player we're getting smoke about contract negotiation with is with Lindholm. That is the business.

Being unsure isn't business.

[bigpete]

Wait so did he or didn't he take a sh*t during the game? Let's get back to that topic, the people demand answers!

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

If my boss put out a public press release that I missed a major meeting because I was taking a s*** that's harassment and a lawsuit.

How can an adult human with this much coaching experience think that's "challenging a player"? How does that make the player perform better? Because it keeps him in check under your bullying authority?

The guy has to go back in to adjust some equipment and you go on s*** on him in public?

Sutter should have been fired a long time ago and the stories go that this type of harassment happened up and down the organization. Sutter's return truly exemplifies the phrase "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain" in a way that I never understood when I first watch Batman.

Everybody poops. I believe there is a book written on it.