[Signing] Backlund re-signs. 6 years, AAV $5.35M

[CaptainCrunch]

Chances are if Backlund hits free agency and the cap goes up to 80 that he's worth 6.5 because the free agent market won't be great.

This is a good signing.

[Love]

Great deal. Happy to have him back

[dissentowner]

Great deal, I was saying 5.5 so a little under that. Term is a year too long but that is no big deal at all. Tre is a wizard.

[Krynn]

I like the deal backs got yes it mite be one or two years to many but like many other guys have said he would have gotten more in the summer.i personally think he would have gotten 6 or 7 million on a 5 to 6 year deal .there would be some GM willing to really over pay for backs when he didnt land the other player he was after. We see it ever year .

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by Jaydee

Eh.... rather have Marchessault at the same cap hit

Second comment of a great thread. Are you kidding me? Can you go edit this or something? It’s just dumb.

Solid player. Selke nominee. Team drafted him and part of fabric of team. From another country and he wants to call Calgary home. Fair contract.

What do you want?

[megatron]

I agree with most that the dollars are great (I was hoping a 5Mx5) but it's 1 year too long. I think he'll eventually get shifted down to the 3rd line when Janko (or another player) passes him.

He does the heavy lifting so that Monahan and Janko's line can benefit. Plus, he and Frolik make anyone they play with better (i.e. Bouma, Colbourne, etc.).

Still a good deal because there's no one in the system that can do what he does.

Good signing.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Brad Marsh

But that's the whole premise behind trading vets on expiring contracts. Renewing your prospect base, and trying to get assets from players that are nearing that post-apex stage of their career.

I readily agree that the prospect is not likely to be better than Backlund is now (he's a great player now), but not even Backlund in 3-4 years will be the player he is now. And this contract is for six!

At least with a draft pick you have a player entering his prime in 3-4 years.

But as I said, love it that Backlund is on the team. If this is the price of admission, I understand why the team did this deal. I'm just not putting this one in the wizard category.

Two factors are probability and window.

A low first probably isn't better than Backlund, but could also be a bust. It's weighted average value is a player not nearly as good as he is, imo.

The second piece is that the Flames are pretty clearly in a win-now mode. While you have JG on a great contract you need to go for it, and the Hamonic trade shows us that is management's plan.

A late first rounder will be entering his prime too late for this round of the Flames most likely, more into a future rebuild.

If a win-now mode wasn't the plan, resigning Backlund and not trading for Hamonic would have been the better course of action.

[DuffMan]

I approve of this signing

[crapshoot]

Awesome news! I'm really not worried about the term as Backlund is not building his game primarily on speed but on hockey IQ. Players like that can be very effective in their mid thirties so I'm not really worried one bit at this point. Happy to have Backs in the fold for a long time!

[Calgary4LIfe]

That's a good contract for him, including that term. Having him locked-up for the next six years at that cap hit is a very solid bet. This team is not as good without Backlund, that's for sure, and he seems to make everyone he plays with better. He is an elite defensive center who still puts up decent points. He is without question part of this core, and the Flames will have an easier time winning with him.

[Beninho]

Some people obviously don’t understand that Backlund would’ve probably got 6 years for 6 mill on the open market. The Flames had little leverage besides the fact that Backlund seems to enjoy playing for this city. There are a number of contenders that would’ve been lining up for Backlund in the offseason, this deal is a hell of a win imo. Especially with the cap increase and with this team having to pay Tkachuk very soon.

[stazzy33]

Originally Posted by jg13

@MatchsticksCGY

Next season:
McDavid + Draisaitl = $21M
Gaudreau + Monahan + Ferland + Backlund + Tkachuk = $21.15M

Let that one sink in...

[Flacker]

What's not to like? Faceoffs, defensive zone starts, PK guru, 30-50+ points over the span of the contract. Glad we got him signed.

[soulchoice]

Great signing based on his merits and his value to the club. He may only hover around the 50 point mark, however, give him more offensive zone starts and he would easily be a 60-70 point centre. Just so happens he is so good at shutting down other lines, hence he does the heavy lifting. That allows Monahan to get the offensive production and points.

Players like Backlund will always be a player in this league, even as he gets into his 30s. He relies on his hockey iq/positioning and smarts moreso than his speed. He has the speed, but doesnt rely on it.

Even when he does have the puck on the offensive zone entry, he is one of the best on the flames that is able to break the blue line, keep the puck and hold possession. Just watch how smart he is when entering the zone, slows it down and allows a play to be made. Protects the puck and rarely turns it over vs some of the high risk, high reward offensive guys we have.

[gvitaly]

It’s a fair deal based on his production, and Backlund at 5.35 is worth more to the Flames than any replacement UFA. It is a good deal for both the club and the player, just don’t expect it to be a huge steal. You are getting a defensive specialist that can pitch in offensively, and most importantly make players he plays with better.

That said, I do think that his offense depends a lot on Chucky. It is especially evident by Backlund struggling offensively since being put on a different PP than Tkachuck. If you are curious he has 0 points in the last 6, and only has points in 3 of his last 13 games. I just wish they experimented with Tkachuk on a different line before fully committing to that contract. Also faceoffs were never Backlund’s strength so not sure where is that coming from.

[Snuffleupagus]

Not a fan of this deal nor am I hater of Backlund, but if Backlund at 29 is worth $5.35m X 6 then I can't help wondering what Chucky will command next year?

To me and likely his agent as well he drives that 2nd line, leads the line in scoring X2 and grit X5.

Backlund at this number might make Tkachuk the highest paid Flame player

[Roof-Daddy]

You can't compare UFA contracts and RFA contracts.

Tkachuk will be compared with Monahan and Gaudreau, and will end up probably getting a long term deal worth a little less than both of them.

[Macindoc]

Based on the historic 90% increase in the salary cap since it was implemented 15 years ago (and fairly comparable year over year), it is not unreasonable to expect that the salary cap will increase by 30% from the first year to the final year of this contract. That would likely make the cap $104M in the final year of this deal, so 5.35M would represent a mere 5% of the total cap in the final year of the contract, quite acceptable for a 3rd line centre, especially one with Backlund's defensive chops. If he has dropped to the 4th line, it will be a bit of an overpay at that point, but that is also acceptable if it gives the Flames solid value during the peak of their window to win it all, which I believe will occur in approximately 2 years.

[Poe969]

I thought no the money is about right,.would have liked 5 or lower but figured it would be between 5-5.5 I'm just not crazy about the term, hopefully he can keep playing at a higher level as time goes on.

[gargamel]

He’s overpaid, but it’s nice to reward one of our guys for a change instead of going out and overpaying for guys like Brouwer while nickel and diming our own free agents. Backlund bleeds red (not unlike everyone else in the world, but you know what I mean), so I’m happy to see him get paid.