[Francis - Rumour/Speculation] Expect next Captain to be Rasmus Andersson

[Locke]

Originally Posted by prizefighterinferno

Sooo old.

But Backlund embodies so many great on and off ice qualities and is still a very impactful player. If we have to have a team of geezers, I'm glad he's on it.

They're going to be skating their opening warm-ups on those walkers with the tennis-balls on the bottom and we're going to have a 'Werther's Originals Night.'

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Friedman stated on 32 thoughts this morning that he thinks they are talking and moving towards and extension. Mentions the captaincy could be part of it. He doesn’t say it is imminent but there is something here to keep an eye on which is Friedman speak for it is only a matter of time

If this is true I have a feeling I’m not going to like the contract. I doubt it’s just captaincy that will matter for him to change his mind this fast. Money does a lot of the talking

[jlh2640]

Backlund if he truly wants to move on, then let him go honestly. He should have been named captain but is looking less likely.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Man this is setting up to be an old team.

It all depends on what type of extension Backlund signs. If he is looking for similar money and a 3-4 year term that will be an issue but perhaps he takes the hometown discount to stay? I also think Backlund staying makes keeping Lindholm a little less critical. No it is not ideal to roll with Kadri-Backlund as your top 2 centers but having Kadri-Lindholm taking up $16M or more in cap for the next 5 years after this will be problematic.

I also expect multiple young players to be on the roster this year and next that hopefully has this a younger team than what we saw last year.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by tkflames

My guess...the management has picked Weegar and Andersson as the finalists and the players choose.

That's what I would do anyways. The captain needs to straddle the line between coaching and player - this gives you ownership from both on the selection.

Nope, Coach was interviewed yesterday and was asked that question. He stated the last time he was involved with players choosing a Captain was junior.

Yes the players will be asked for their opinions etc., decision is management.

As others have mentioned, extension is the key.

[ComixZone]

The more time passes, the more the concrete around the Flames feet hardens.

Expensive, old, and made up of parts that have never come together to do anything meaningful.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

If this is true I have a feeling I’m not going to like the contract. I doubt it’s just captaincy that will matter for him to change his mind this fast. Money does a lot of the talking

Some of the items the media have hinted at was how he and his family were treated by the org when he won the king Clancy and now that he is back in town he is feeling differently than he was when he left last year. Backlund getting the love from Calgary and seeing things like 1000 games, captaincy, one team for his career as appealing. If Conroy and Huska were able to sell him that they were closer to the team in 2022 than they are last years team he could be swayed. Much easier to close a deal in person than over the phone. We can’t say for certain money is the only reason he has had an alleged change of heart.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

The more time passes, the more the concrete around the Flames feet hardens.

Expensive, old, and made up of parts that have never come together to do anything meaningful.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

The more time passes, the more the concrete around the Flames feet hardens.

Expensive, old, and made up of parts that have never come together to do anything meaningful.

Of the guys signed for longer than 2 years, only 2 of them have been here for longer than a year.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Man this is setting up to be an old team.

average age is 27.6

switch Kylington in for Oesterle and it's 27.4

add Klapka as the 13th forward and it goes down a little more

those numbers put them below the NHL average, and almost a year and a half younger than last year

[kipperiggy]

I would completely understand if Backlund left us to go to a team closer to winning but in the salary cap era that is easier said than done. Anybody that's close probably doesn't have the Cap for him anyway. Has it ever worked to go to a winner aside from Bourque in 2001? Maybe Hossa 2008-2010 but that's not really the same thing.

Anyway I would love either Backlund or Rasmus as the captain but I do lean toward Rasmus if Backlund isn't here to stay.

[ComixZone]

That’s perfect Locke.

It’ll be neat to see Backlund retire as a Flame. All around great guy.

…as far as winning championship? I greatly struggle to see it.

[Bingo]

I think calling the team old is a stretch right now. Down the road there is a concern for sure if they ink more players into their mid 30s.

But they're actually younger this year, not older.

Lucic, Lewis, Stone out.
Kylington hopefully returning.
Way younger bottom six.
Younger in net if Wolf wins the job.

And on Backlund I don't think it's fair to lump him in with the Lindholms, Kadris and Huberdeaus.

He's already at that age ... he's moving into twilight contracts and it's a testament to the guy that he's still relevant at the end of a contract that many thought was doomed on the day it was signed.

[Enoch Root]

it's always fun when the facts completely contradict peoples' opinions and perceptions

[Locke]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

That’s perfect Locke.

It’ll be neat to see Backlund retire as a Flame. All around great guy.

…as far as winning championship? I greatly struggle to see it.

Backlund is a problem.

I genuinely see him as the natural fit for Captain. I do.

But hes what, 35? Wants to be Captain? How many years at how many dollars are you going to give him? And for what?

And then...if you really think that what you wanted was Andersson but he's got to wait in the wings for a few years for the old-timer to GTFO?

What are we accomplishing here?

[metroneck]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Man this is setting up to be an old team.

Agreed, however for the couple roster spots that you want an ‘old guy’ in, Backlund is one you want.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Locke

Backlund is a problem.

I genuinely see him as the natural fit for Captain. I do.

But hes what, 35? Wants to be Captain? How many years at how many dollars are you going to give him? And for what?

And then...if you really think that what you wanted was Andersson but he's got to wait in the wings for a few years for the old-timer to GTFO?

What are we accomplishing here?

There are a lot of assumptions and built-in narratives there.

Here's some reality: Backlund had arguably his best all-around season last year, and was arguably the Flames' best forward, over the course of the season (debatable between him and Toffoli). But your post reads like we're talking about giving Lucic the captaincy.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think calling the team old is a stretch right now. Down the road there is a concern for sure if they ink more players into their mid 30s.

But they're actually younger this year, not older.

Lucic, Lewis, Stone out.
Kylington hopefully returning.
Way younger bottom six.
Younger in net if Wolf wins the job.

And on Backlund I don't think it's fair to lump him in with the Lindholms, Kadris and Huberdeaus.

He's already at that age ... he's moving into twilight contracts and it's a testament to the guy that he's still relevant at the end of a contract that many thought was doomed on the day it was signed.

If you throw in Pelletier, Coronato, Zary with Wolf, Honzek and potentially Poirer all in the conversation in the next 12 months, this team could be trending younger in a hurry.

The problem remains as to whether or not they decide to commit long term to more 29/30 year olds.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

it's always fun when the facts completely contradict peoples' opinions and perceptions

But those people have 20 year old memes to repost over and over. And that’s just as good as any old fact.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Locke

Backlund is a problem.

I genuinely see him as the natural fit for Captain. I do.

But hes what, 35? Wants to be Captain? How many years at how many dollars are you going to give him? And for what?

And then...if you really think that what you wanted was Andersson but he's got to wait in the wings for a few years for the old-timer to GTFO?

What are we accomplishing here?

he signs a two year extension, that's tree seasons including this one, if Andersson is the next guy you give him a letter now and start prepping him.

Not sure Backlund signs, and I'm sure I'm being overly sentimental, but it is what it is.