[News] Flames name Backlund captain, announce two-year extension (2 years, $4.5m AAV)

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Backlund works his butt off, and never cheats the game. He ain't the problem.

He's Ethan Moreau. He's the Captain, and him being the Captain has a net-zero impact on the ice.

He's a good 3rd line centre, and absolutely nothing more.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Did we also judge Iggy's captaincy after 3 weeks? Probably would've been unfair to do so, huh?

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Did we also judge Iggy's captaincy after 3 weeks? Probably would've been unfair to do so, huh?

Um, Jarome Iginla had already won Olympic gold, was one of the leagues best players, and handled the media with nothing but class. No comparison.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Did we also judge Iggy's captaincy after 3 weeks? Probably would've been unfair to do so, huh?

Iginla by that point could pull himself up and single-handedly take over a game.

He was a Force of Nature. Theres a reason the standing Captain took the initiative to stand down and hand him the 'C.'

Backlund is an effective player, I like him, but he doesnt normally have a substantial impact on the game as its played on the ice.

He might be different in the room, in the community, with the rookies, etc, but he doesnt move the needle a lot from an 'on-ice' performance standpoint.

Granted...I could easily say the same of everyone else on this roster. No wonder nobody naturally stood up and took it.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Judging captaincy, not the player.

Obviously Iggy was a better player up to that point.

To proclaim anything 3 weeks into it would've been premature with Iggy. It's also premature here with Backlund.

That's the point.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I dunno, I see him out there trying every night. That's one guy who isn't mailing in the effort. Is he a game changer? No, but he leads by example and does all the little things right.

On the list of players that I have a problem with on this team, Backlund is way, waaaaay down the list.

I think he was our best forward last year. He shows up every game.

[FanIn80]

All I know is there's a reason this particular roster unanimously voted for Backlund to get the C.

[traptor]

There's no one on our team that can take over a game with production, physicality or intensity at this point. Not really fair to hold that over Backlund's head. He's one of the best options on this current team. We just might not have the best options.

I guess one could argue that Rasmus may have been a more effective on ice captain because he plays a more impactful role but he just got himself suspended for 4 games so....

I would also say that since Backlund is the best candidate to be captain, that we have an overall team construction/composition issue.
It just highlights the fact that we're not well built team.

[Sandman]

Backlund's contributions clearly go largely unnoticed. Look at his advanced stats over the last decade, and the effect he has on his linemates' advanced stats-all while getting a high number of defensive zone starts. He works his butt off and tilts the ice definitively in our favour. If everyone on the team played more like him, we would be a perrenial contender. Perfect Captain, IMO.

[SmoggyFlamesFan]

I judge leaders and leadership with how they elevate and motivate those around them. Iggy made everyone around him better and carried the team on his back along with Kipper to within 1 goal of Stanley Cup. Is Backlund even close to that calibre? No. Not even close. The guy is not even available to the media to give an honest assessment of his team's performance thus far. Zadorov is.

[1Nite]

Backlund, for a while has been a slow starter, a bit like Iginla.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

I judge leaders and leadership with how they elevate and motivate those around them. Iggy made everyone around him better and carried the team on his back along with Kipper to within 1 goal of Stanley Cup. Is Backlund even close to that calibre? No. Not even close. The guy is not even available to the media to give an honest assessment of his team's performance thus far. Zadorov is.

Iginla was made Captain in 2003-04 and, yes, they went to the finals that year. Then every year after that they were out in round one or worse.

[browna]

[

Originally Posted by Sandman

Backlund works his butt off, and never cheats the game. He ain't the problem.

As a player he's far from the problem, sure. But taking on the captaincy adds additional responsibility, leadership and otherwise, and this team, looking tepid, as they did last year and many years that he has been part of the leadership team, can go ignored. More pissed off and wearing this on behalf of the team ala Zadorov and less of "we have to pick it up" as was a recent response.

Originally Posted by FanIn80

All I know is there's a reason this particular roster unanimously voted for Backlund to get the C.

* if he stayed and committed to that at the end of last season.

It's somewhat telling that the only 4 pre-crested HC jerseys didn't include him (and did Lindholm). Meaning he hadn't committed at whatever deadline was required for that in July or August.

Asking for captaincy (the Sutter didn't give him last year) as part of contract negotiations (on a 2 year deal) doesn't sit right with me that those are ties together, just as it didn't for me when Tkachuk was asking for the same 2 years back (though at least his would've been an 8 or 9 year deal).

[SmoggyFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Iginla was made Captain in 2003-04 and, yes, they went to the finals that year. Then every year after that they were out in round one or worse.

More than I can say for Gio and his results at the helm - amazing player and defenseman, and Backlund to date. I don't think anyone could argue that the leadership group needs to step up and hold themselves and the team accountable for their dismal play thus far.

[dino7c]

We they be doing any better if someone else was the captain?

probably not

[1qqaaz]

There are so many on-ice concerns with this team right now.
The captaincy is probably 20th on the list of issues that are materially affecting performance.

[SmoggyFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

We they be doing any better if someone else was the captain?

probably not

That's probably why Darryl didn't choose one. No one emerged as someone capable of truly leading the team. I love Backlund, and maybe he will grow into the role, but right now, I just don't see it.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by dino7c

We they be doing any better if someone else was the captain?

probably not

Exactly. It's hating a guy for the sake of it. And after committing his rest of his career to the Flames after serving the team well for many years? It's just a bad look.

People are asking him to do the impossible given the team around him.

And drawing comparisons to Iggy in his early prime is just unfair.

[Bonded]

Hopefully he picks his next team better than Iggy.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Backlund's contributions clearly go largely unnoticed. Look at his advanced stats over the last decade, and the effect he has on his linemates' advanced stats-all while getting a high number of defensive zone starts. He works his butt off and tilts the ice definitively in our favour. If everyone on the team played more like him, we would be a perrenial contender. Perfect Captain, IMO.

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

I judge leaders and leadership with how they elevate and motivate those around them. Iggy made everyone around him better and carried the team on his back along with Kipper to within 1 goal of Stanley Cup. Is Backlund even close to that calibre? No. Not even close. The guy is not even available to the media to give an honest assessment of his team's performance thus far. Zadorov is.

These two posts back to back perfectly encapsulate why it’s almost impossible to even discuss hockey with someone else.