Re-sign Backlund Thread

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Martin Hanzal returned a 1st, a 2nd, and a 4th.

Backlund > Hanzal.

So if Backs is moved, you’re getting a 1st+2nd+4th and maybe something slightly better

Just because Fletcher made a terrible trade doesn't mean others will line up to do the same. Backlund is better than Hanzal but I don't think it has much bearing on his trade value, especially since the Hanzal trade was a bone-headed move. It's not like Tre can say "Well, Hanzal got X, so Backlund should get X+1"

Another factor is the size of the two players. Not that I want to get into an argument about the merits of size, it's just worth pointing out. Hanzal probably isn't even in the NHL if he's Backlund's size, but GMs go nuts over that stuff.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TheoFleury

Just because Fletcher made a terrible trade doesn't mean others will line up to do the same. Backlund is better than Hanzal but I don't think it has much bearing on his trade value, especially since the Hanzal trade was a bone-headed move. It's not like Tre can say "Well, Hanzal got X, so Backlund should get X+1"

Another factor is the size of the two players. Not that I want to get into an argument about the merits of size, it's just worth pointing out. Hanzal probably isn't even in the NHL if he's Backlund's size, but GMs go nuts over that stuff.

Size is no longer the it factor. It is speed and fancy stats which Backlund has in spades.

I wouldn’t be shocked if the Pens sent a 1st+,+ for Backlund and that team isn’t a lock to make the playoffs.

Maybe Backlund for a 1st and Cole?

Flames could then do what a lot of this board wants and trade Brodie for a top 6 forward. The team would recoup a 1st and shuffle the deck a little with a Cole-Hamonic second pair and hopefully a top asset for Brodie.

Could the Flames swap Brodie and Kadri?

[transplant99]

I think one GM who would be quite interested in Backlund is Kenny Holland.

He loves the swedes.

[Macho0978]

I suggested Brodie for Kadri last year and got torched. Even said Kadri is a good exit plan if we lose Backlund and the Flames are more loaded in d prospects than center prospects

I still think it makes sense as Kadri contract is very good and the Leafs are loaded on forward and could move him for Brodie

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I suggested Brodie for Kadri last year and got torched. Even said Kadri is a good exit plan if we lose Backlund and the Flames are more loaded in d prospects than center prospects

I still think it makes sense as Kadri contract is very good and the Leafs are loaded on forward and could move him for Brodie

Kadri with Tkachuk would be a nightmare for the opposition.

I see the Leafs as a trade partner since they want D and we want a forward

Brodie for Kadri
Or
Hamilton for Marner or Nylander + 2nd at the draft.

Personally I would prefer the Kadri deal he is a great pest

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Kadri with Tkachuk would be a nightmare for the opposition.

I see the Leafs as a trade partner since they want D and we want a forward

Brodie for Kadri
Or
Hamilton for Marner or Nylander + 2nd at the draft.

Personally I would prefer the Kadri deal he is a great pest

I like Brodie for Kadri more as well. Kadri scores a lot of points for a guy who never gets PP time, matches up against top lines too. He also has 4 years left at 4.5 mil. Assuming Jankowski signs for about 2 that gives you very solid centers for 3+ years (assuming Jankowski signs 3 years) at about 12.5 mil total.

Brodie out hurts but this would allow the Flames to call up Anderson. If he plays well then IMO the teams is close to as good for less cap

It would also allow them to trade Backlund for picks. If they can get a first and something of quality this strengthens the prospect pool, lessons the log jam at defence (could factor in signing Fox too) and gives the Flames more options in the next few summers to add to the team without losing players due to cap problems

But if they can keep Backlund for close to Kadri money and for decent term then I would sign him now. But I'm sure he will want around 6 which could hurt at some point in that contract.

[edslunch]

Backlund was in the Selke conversation. He’s 5 yrs younger than Kesler who is still effective. The Flames have no one to replace him. Sign him!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Kadri with Tkachuk would be a nightmare for the opposition.

I see the Leafs as a trade partner since they want D and we want a forward

Brodie for Kadri
Or
Hamilton for Marner or Nylander + 2nd at the draft.

Personally I would prefer the Kadri deal he is a great pest

No thanks to the second deal, Marner has been less then good this year, and Nylanders looked meh, I'm not trading a first pairing 24 year old Hamilton unless the intent is to go into a perpetual rebuild.

This team is soft enough without Marner or Nylander.

Pass.

[Flashpoint]

I may be alone in this, and I'd be happy to hear some stats oriented folks chime in, but it seems to me that Michael Frolik is the prime mover on the Backlund line.

Backlund really took off when the Flames acquired Frolik, and it may be as simple as two players complimenting one another, but Backlund has looked lost to me since Frolik went down.

Part of that is no doubt boat anchor Brouwer. But I truly wonder if Backlund is as an elite two way center as he seemed the past couple years, or if much of his success is due to how good Frolik is.

And accordingly how much he's worth as a UFA with Jankowski looking like someone with a lot of additional upside waiting behind him.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

No thanks to the second deal, Marner has been less then good this year, and Nylanders looked meh, I'm not trading a first pairing 24 year old Hamilton unless the intent is to go into a perpetual rebuild.

This team is soft enough without Marner or Nylander.

Pass.

I don’t really feel the current team is soft. Ferland, Tkachuk, Bennett, Hathaway are 4 of the top 6 wingers and none of them are soft.

I just look at adding another potential star 22 year old to the team would be ideal. We have a deep pipeline on D and 2 solid NHLers in Hamonic/Stone on the right side and ideal Brodie is moved back to the right.

Maybe the Leafs duo isn’t the right mix. Maybe it is Brady Tkachuk+? Max Domi++, Kadri+1st.

I just think Dougie is our best asset to land a stud forward and we are deep in right side D.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

I may be alone in this, and I'd be happy to hear some stats oriented folks chime in, but it seems to me that Michael Frolik is the prime mover on the Backlund line.

Backlund really took off when the Flames acquired Frolik, and it may be as simple as two players complimenting one another, but Backlund has looked lost to me since Frolik went down.

Part of that is no doubt boat anchor Brouwer. But I truly wonder if Backlund is as an elite two way center as he seemed the past couple years, or if much of his success is due to how good Frolik is.

And accordingly how much he's worth as a UFA with Jankowski looking like someone with a lot of additional upside waiting behind him.

Frolik doesn't contribute enough offensively to gain that pedigree IMO. I feel like Backlund and Frolik just have great chemistry which naturally improves their level of play.
That being said, If we can get a 1st (+?) back for Frolik, Treliving should definitely consider it.

[GioforPM]

If you can't sign Backlund for a reasonable amount, I'd consider trying to get O'Reilly for a decent price with money retained (say, 1/3), for prospects (say, one of the D and Gillies) and trading Backlund to someone else for draft assets.

O'Reilly is way overpaid, but a good 2 way centre, and he's not old, but not in the right window for Buffalo IMO. Buffalo is unhappy with that huge contract and is entering another total rebuild. I think they need D and goalie prospects.

[Enoch Root]

You think Buffalo is going to trade O'Reilly for a couple prospects AND retain salary?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You think Buffalo is going to trade O'Reilly for a couple prospects AND retain salary?

That salary is a real anchor. If they want an actual player I'd consider it, but IMO they are more interested in rebuilding (again).

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

That salary is a real anchor. If they want an actual player I'd consider it, but IMO they are more interested in rebuilding (again).

Honestly I wouldn't consider that contract a real anchor in this day and age. I'd bet Backlund would get 6.5+ plus on the open market to a team in desperate need of a centre (look at the Lucic, Ladd and Eriksson contracts and they are all wingers). Backs would need to be part of that trade though if it happened this season. Im all for O'Reilly if the price is right.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Honestly I wouldn't consider that contract a real anchor in this day and age. I'd bet Backlund would get 6.5+ plus on the open market to a team in desperate need of a centre (look at the Lucic, Ladd and Eriksson contracts and they are all wingers). Backs would need to be part of that trade though if it happened this season. Im all for O'Reilly if the price is right.

Next year they will have 26 million in cap space left with only 13 players signed. Eichel, ROR, Okposo and Pominville make a total of almost $30M and they are also overspending on Bogosian and Scandella imo. Reinhart is an RFA and, while he hasn't had a great year, he's getting better and will get some sort of raise on a bridge contract, unless they move him too.

[Corral]

Buffalo is Edmonton East. Why would the Flames want any player from that loser roster?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Corral

Buffalo is Edmonton East. Why would the Flames want any player from that loser roster?

Haha, because you just know that the circle of fates will bring OReilly to the team he was supposed to go to in the first place.

That's why.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Corral

Buffalo is Edmonton East. Why would the Flames want any player from that loser roster?

Yeah, just like why would anyone want Hall, Eberle or Schultz off the old Edmonton roster? Right?

[Roof-Daddy]

One thing I hadn't thought of, and I wouldn't put it past Treliving to do this, is if Flames management doesn't think the team is quite ready yet, they could sell Backlund at the deadline to recoup a 1st and 2nd round pick (maybe even more, think Hanzal trade +) and then let the season play out.

Come the off-season they can look to upgrade on Backlund as the #2 C via trade, or if by some miracle Tavares does test free agency they will have the flexibility to push all their chips in on him. Or, if none of that works out they can always circle back around to Backlund again.