Francis: Backlund contract talks heating up. Ask is around $5 mil x 5 or 6 years

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

2nd overall in the league, 10 picks in the first 2 rounds over the next 3 years. Loads of cap space.

What!!

Flames could use some of that blind luck over the last 10 years.

And it only cost them $500 million dollars!

Serious question - and I would like to hear your answer...

If you had the opportunity to trade Monahan and Backlund straight up for Marchessault and Karlsson, would you do it?

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

We don't have either in the pipeline right now. Who do you see coming to fill one of those roles?

Originally Posted by Itse

We need to move a top six forward to get a top six forward? Say what again?

Since when did centers stop being more valuable and versatile than wingers?

And what's our problem again? Lack of production from the top six, or lack of production from the bottom six and defense?

Moving Backlund for a winger makes zero sense.

Our current 1-3C depth:

Monahan
Backlund
Jankowski

My current observations about our 1-3C depth:

- Janko and Backlund are both possession-driving centers.
- While Backlund is currently better in that regard, Janko is younger, cheaper, and has a dramatically higher offensive upside.
- I personally believe Janko needs to move into the #2 spot to prevent stunting his development. I think he's too good for #3C ice time, and I also think he's someone that would respond favourably to the challenge of #2C ice time.

My concerns about re-signing Backlund:

- He wants (and deserves) #2C dollars and term. $5Mx5yrs doesn't seem unreasonable for Backlund. In fact, I'm certain a team would give him that should he hit the market.
- Given my above observations, I don't believe we need to commit that amount of money or term to a position (#2C) that I believe is already filled (Janko). I do not want to see us paying $5M for a #3C (Backlund is NOT a #3C, that's just where I believe he should slot in, given my observations of Janko).

Our current 1-2W depth:

Gaudreau Ferland
Tkachuk Frolik

My current observations about our 1-2W depth:

- I love Ferland, but I would love love him more if he was 2-3W instead of 1-2W.
- I believe Tkachuk is now a #1W, and that playing him as a #2W is going to hold him back. In addition, I also believe that a player like Tkachuk is exactly what Johnny and Mony need.
- Frolik is not a 1-2W anymore. He's now a solid 3W, who can fill on 2W if needed.

My outlook on next year's top-six depth (based on everything above):

Gaudreau Monahan Tkachuk
Bennett Jankowski Ferland

Final thoughts:

- My initial thinking was to move Backlund for a top-six W, but after fleshing out the thought process, do we even need that next year?
- I think Ferland's "north-south / get the puck on net" style of play could be paired well with Bennett's playmaking and battling and Janko's net-front presence. In other words, Ferland is an upgraded Hathaway.
- I also think that top-line minutes for Tkachuk with highly-skilled players, combined with a more offensive-minded second line will result more reliable offence.
- Perhaps the better option to my earlier suggestion is to simply downgrade Backlund for a good #3C that makes #3C (or less) $$ and draft picks?

Anyway, these are all just my own observations. I'm either on base, almost on base, off base or not even in the right ballpark, but I'm just spit-balling and seeing if any of it makes sense.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I agree with adding a top 6 winger but would rather deal from a position of strength rather than create another hole. Move a Dman for a winger, we have lots of those and lots of prospects back there

Yeah this is where I'm at too. The Flames have better depth on D and more coming in the pipeline. Dmen are tough to project but you'd have to think that some of Fox, Kylington, Andersson and Valimaki are going to work out. This appears to be the position of strength to deal from, not forwards - which is quite thin overall for the organization.
I really like Dube but if he's your top forward prospect it is a weakness.
I do think they have a couple of interest "wild card" forward prospects that could turn into something (Matthew Philips, Ruzicka, Eat Bread, Foo) but the chances of any of those being top 6 guys is very slim.
Thankfully the forward group has a lot of young players under contract - so there's time to re-fill this part of the pipeline. But for now, I don't see how you can trade from this area. It needs to be restocked.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Our current 1-3C depth:

Monahan
Backlund
Jankowski

My current observations about our 1-3C depth:

- Janko and Backlund are both possession-driving centers.
- While Backlund is currently better in that regard, Janko is younger, cheaper, and has a dramatically higher offensive upside.
- I personally believe Janko needs to move into the #2 spot to prevent stunting his development. I think he's too good for #3C ice time, and I also think he's someone that would respond favourably to the challenge of #2C ice time.

My concerns about re-signing Backlund:

- He wants (and deserves) #2C dollars and term. $5Mx5yrs doesn't seem unreasonable for Backlund. In fact, I'm certain a team would give him that should he hit the market.
- Given my above observations, I don't believe we need to commit that amount of money or term to a position (#2C) that I believe is already filled (Janko). I do not want to see us paying $5M for a #3C (Backlund is NOT a #3C, that's just where I believe he should slot in, given my observations of Janko).

Our current 1-2W depth:

Gaudreau Ferland
Tkachuk Frolik

My current observations about our 1-2W depth:

- I love Ferland, but I would love love him more if he was 2-3W instead of 1-2W.
- I believe Tkachuk is now a #1W, and that playing him as a #2W is going to hold him back. In addition, I also believe that a player like Tkachuk is exactly what Johnny and Mony need.
- Frolik is not a 1-2W anymore. He's now a solid 3W, who can fill on 2W if needed.

My outlook on next year's top-six depth (based on everything above):

Gaudreau Monahan Tkachuk
Bennett Jankowski Ferland

Final thoughts:

- My initial thinking was to move Backlund for a top-six W, but after fleshing out the thought process, do we even need that next year?
- I think Ferland's "north-south / get the puck on net" style of play could be paired well with Bennett's playmaking and battling and Janko's net-front presence. In other words, Ferland is an upgraded Hathaway.
- I also think that top-line minutes for Tkachuk with highly-skilled players, combined with a more offensive-minded second line will result more reliable offence.
- Perhaps the better option to my earlier suggestion is to simply downgrade Backlund for a good #3C that makes #3C (or less) $$ and draft picks?

Anyway, these are all just my own observations. I'm either on base, almost on base, off base or not even in the right ballpark, but I'm just spit-balling and seeing if any of it makes sense.

Good post.
I think where I disagree the most is that you need to move Janko into the #2 slot in the short-term. I think he's got the upside, if everything works out, but he's got some distance to get there. And if he isn't ready you risk really doing harm to your team by opening up a positional gap hard to fill (centre) and you risk harming his development.
I keep Backlund and if some point Janko is ready to move up the line up you either benefit from a great centre group, or you have a chip to trader.

[Displaced Flames fan]

He was magnificent last night

[Samonadreau]

If 5x5 is the ask then do it. Especially if it gives him a bit of a boost in moral for the rest of the season

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

He was magnificent last night

Perhaps a sign that contract details are starting to become finalized. I hope.

[GGG]

I think I'd pay a little bit more to keep a no trade clause away. In year 3 you want to be able to move him if Janko develops into A solid 2

[activeStick]

Who do the other team's have as their second line center?

ANA - Kesler
BUF - ROR
VGK - Haula
SJS - Couture
ARI - Domi
BOS - Krejci
CAR - Rask
CHI - Schmaltz
COL - Kerfoot
CBJ - Wennberg
DAL - Spezza
DET - Larkin
EDM - Draisatl
FLA - Trocheck
LAK - Carter
MIN - Staal
MON - Plekanec
NSH - Turris
NJD - Zajac
NYI - Barzal
NYR - Miller
OTT - Brassard
PHI - Filpulla
PIT - Malkin
STL - Schenn
TBL - Point
TOR - Kadri
VAN - Horvat
WSH - Backstrom
WPG - Little

I'm not sure there's a whole lot of guys around the league with a better complete game than Backlund. Especially at the rumored asking price.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Who do the other team's have as their second line center?

ANA - Kesler
BUF - ROR
VGK - Haula
SJS - Couture
ARI - Domi
BOS - Krejci
CAR - Rask
CHI - Schmaltz
COL - Kerfoot
CBJ - Wennberg
DAL - Spezza
DET - Larkin
EDM - Draisatl
FLA - Trocheck
LAK - Carter
MIN - Staal
MON - Plekanec
NSH - Turris
NJD - Zajac
NYI - Barzal
NYR - Miller
OTT - Brassard
PHI - Filpulla
PIT - Malkin
STL - Schenn
TBL - Point
TOR - Kadri
VAN - Horvat
WSH - Backstrom
WPG - Little

I'm not sure there's a whole lot of guys around the league with a better complete game than Backlund. Especially at the rumored asking price.

Odd you have included a first line winger in a list of second line centres.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Odd you have included a first line winger in a list of second line centres.

A first-line winger who takes faceoffs, no less.

[Kybb79]

If i remember correctly Backs left money on the table during his last contract so he could remain a Flame. He has earned it with his play and also off the ice with his charity work. I say give him his 5 million the man is a true Flame.

[cofias]

5x5 would be excellent value for Backlund IMO, assuming his play does not fall off a cliff. But I can't see that happening. We are not going to replace him with an equal or better player at that price. There's just no way.

[Poe969]

I guess it's just me but I hope the team signs him to the lowest possible contract. The less he gets, the more cap space the team has to work with going forward. I think some people want to over pay him for the sake of overpaying him. I also hope the contract is 4 years or 5 tops, I think in time he will decline in skill not because he's bad or anytime but because he's human. Most players don't get better with age and I think paying a player who's 29 years old the same as when he's 34 years old and not as good is bad for business. I'd like for him to sign as cheap as possible for 4-5 years and then if needed, sign him again after that. I just don't get why people want to give out contracts that benefit the player more than the team.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Odd you have included a first line winger in a list of second line centres.

It’s odd that out of his post you cherry pick something and comment to it and that comment isn’t even accurate.

Most games Draisaitl starts as the 2nd line Center and when they need to get some more jam into the top line, Drai is moved up to McD’s wing.

His point still stands. And no, Jankowski is not ready to go up against every teams top line on most nights and be able to produce offense. Furthermore, Janko has slowed down dramatically over this losing streak and his possession game is certainly slipping as well. Proof that he is not ready for a full time top-6 spot. If this trend continues and his game continues to slip, what then? Press box for a game or worse?

2nd line C is not the answer.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

It’s odd that out of his post you cherry pick something and comment to it and that comment isn’t even accurate.

Most games Draisaitl starts as the 2nd line Center and when they need to get some more jam into the top line, Drai is moved up to McD’s wing.

His point still stands. And no, Jankowski is not ready to go up against every teams top line on most nights and be able to produce offense. Furthermore, Janko has slowed down dramatically over this losing streak and his possession game is certainly slipping as well. Proof that he is not ready for a full time top-6 spot. If this trend continues and his game continues to slip, what then? Press box for a game or worse?

2nd line C is not the answer.

I think he was just taking a shot at the Oilers. Not making a serious point. Besides, if Draisaitl is a winger, RNH is the second line centre (when he's not hurt).

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I guess it's just me but I hope the team signs him to the lowest possible contract. The less he gets, the more cap space the team has to work with going forward. I think some people want to over pay him for the sake of overpaying him. I also hope the contract is 4 years or 5 tops, I think in time he will decline in skill not because he's bad or anytime but because he's human. Most players don't get better with age and I think paying a player who's 29 years old the same as when he's 34 years old and not as good is bad for business. I'd like for him to sign as cheap as possible for 4-5 years and then if needed, sign him again after that. I just don't get why people want to give out contracts that benefit the player more than the team.

1. What's as cheap as possible?
2. Who is trying to give out contracts that benefit the player more than the team? What's a fair contract in your opinion?

[Poe969]

I've read 6x6 or something along the lines of if it's $5mil give him any term he wants. Either way, I think $5ish is the most I'd go and if it's over 5 per then 4 years tops. If he wants more than 5 years I think it has to be less than $5 mil per

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I've read 6x6 or something along the lines of if it's $5mil give him any term he wants. Either way, I think $5ish is the most I'd go and if it's over 5 per then 4 years tops. If he wants more than 5 years I think it has to be less than $5 mil per

See thats fair but thats pretty much whats being fiscussed. Just sounded like you were saying the forum was way off board. I think 5x5 is fair for both sides as long as NTC is limited.

[PugnaciousIntern]

If that's his asking, I think this will be one of the Treliving wizard moves.

5 years, $4.something million.