Re-sign Backlund Thread

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

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.

$26M in cap space with 13 players signed means they can sign ten players for an average of more than $2M each.

Buffalo doesn't have cap issues, the issue is do they want to keep giving O'Reilly lump sums of cash every July 1? (I love, btw, that ROR has lockout proofed his contract)

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by 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.

The Flames cannot sell off Mikael Backlund for picks. They are not a bubble team with a bunch of overachieving rookies. They are a team with a shot at home ice in round 1, with a 35 year old starting goalie, no first round pick, and the top 5 defensemen making nearly $26M combined. The captain is 34, and though he is still elite you have no idea how long you can rely on getting $6.75M Gio.

The Flames are all in this year. They may not win it all, they may not make it out of round 1. But they will for sure not win it all or make it out of round 1 if they trade Backlund for picks. That's the sort of thing that makes a player like Gaudreau demand a trade.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

The Flames cannot sell off Mikael Backlund for picks. They are not a bubble team with a bunch of overachieving rookies. They are a team with a shot at home ice in round 1, with a 35 year old starting goalie, no first round pick, and the top 5 defensemen making nearly $26M combined. The captain is 34, and though he is still elite you have no idea how long you can rely on getting $6.75M Gio.

The Flames are all in this year. They may not win it all, they may not make it out of round 1. But they will for sure not win it all or make it out of round 1 if they trade Backlund for picks. That's the sort of thing that makes a player like Gaudreau demand a trade.

Obviously not going to happen if they remain in a playoff spot. If they fall off over the next 4 weeks I could see it happening.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Obviously not going to happen if they remain in a playoff spot. If they fall off over the next 4 weeks I could see it happening.

What are you seeing from them that foreshadows a complete implosion in the next four weeks?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

What are you seeing from them that foreshadows a complete implosion in the next four weeks?

It won't take a complete implosion to get passed and fall behind. But either way what does that matter? I never said a "complete implosion" was imminent. All I said was that if they fall out of it I could see Treliving selling to recoup some of the picks he dealt away in order to soften the blow of missing the post season and give him a better chance to improve the team in the off-season.

I hope none of this happens though. Hopefully they get on a roll again.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I hope none of this happens though. Hopefully they get on a roll again.

They have points in 9 straight games.

I missed them falling off of the "roll".

I think people fixate too much on what happens after tie games. Both when they get the extra point and when they don't.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

They have points in 9 straight games.

I missed them falling off of the "roll".

I think people fixate too much on what happens after tie games. Both when they get the extra point and when they don't.

If it wasn’t for Smith they lose both games in regulation. It is not that they lost theblast 2 games it was how brutal they looked doing it

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

They have points in 9 straight games.

I missed them falling off of the "roll".

I think people fixate too much on what happens after tie games. Both when they get the extra point and when they don't.

I think the play of the team is worrisome as while they managed to get loser points it appears the team is starting to fall back into the mediocre play that has plagued them for long stretches of the past few seasons. This is not a very good team in regulation and that's worrisome as their goal differential is poor for a team in a playoff spot. If the top line isn't producing the team is in tough to score any goals and that's why I have an issue with sinking a lot of money into Backlund. Simply not enough secondary production and you have to realize if this is the best it's going to be with him what would be the point of paying more money for more mediocrity? It's only a matter of time until Jankowski assumes 2nd line duty and how much do you want to sink into a 3rd line center as Jankowski is going to require a raise this summer as well. This team needs better production from players not named Gaudreau, Monahan, and Tkachuk and Backlund hasn't shown he's a solution to the team's scoring woes and I can't accept sinking $5+ million long term into a checking forward as that's just poor team building.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

If it wasn’t for Smith they lose both games in regulation. It is not that they lost theblast 2 games it was how brutal they looked doing it

It's nice for a change isn't it. How many years has the team been let down by below average goaltending?

[Poe969]

This team needs guys who can out the puck in the (other team's) net. They have guys who are defensively sound and that's good but without goals, it doesn't matter. If they get an amazing offer for Backlund,I'm all for trading him but the same goes for most of the team. They have to add a guy like Hoffman or Kane (dream scenario would be Tavares) or someone else to score and if they can o my get a player like that by trading Backlund then they have to do it.

Backlund is a third line defensive specialist on a contender not a second line center, you need more offense from your second line.

[Matty81]

I think the flames should move him regardless of their position in the standings if they are going to let him walk.

They need to be in the business of building a contender which is about more than one season unless your tean is top 3-5 in the league already.

Trade him for assets and swing those for a new 3rd line centre next month if you decide he is a goner even if its a slight downgrade.

But I think Treliving would be an idiot to put himself in that scenario anyway. Just resign Backlund at the best price you can negiotiate and even if he doesnt fit... Trade him signed over the next year. They can afford any deal for 18 months which gives them lots of time to find a good trade.. Also gives them another year of backlund potentially.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

$26M in cap space with 13 players signed means they can sign ten players for an average of more than $2M each.

Buffalo doesn't have cap issues, the issue is do they want to keep giving O'Reilly lump sums of cash every July 1? (I love, btw, that ROR has lockout proofed his contract)

$2M is at least $1M lower than the average salary. Buffalo's average right now is $3.12M, and they have a lot of low salaries. Their payroll is only going up.
They have to replace Kane and that's going to cost more. They have to resign Lehner or get someone better, and that's going to cost. They need a decent backup, and I imagine that's going to cost as well.

Now, the cap may well go up, so they might have $3M more to play with. But, in any event, Rob Ray suggested they don't like ROR on his contract. So they might be convinced to eat salary. Even if you get him at $6M (being 20% retained), that may be better than re-signing Backlund for the same or more. ROR is a couple years younger, has significantly more heft and has a more offence.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I think the flames should move him regardless of their position in the standings if they are going to let him walk.

They need to be in the business of building a contender which is about more than one season unless your tean is top 3-5 in the league already.

Trade him for assets and swing those for a new 3rd line centre next month if you decide he is a goner even if its a slight downgrade.

But I think Treliving would be an idiot to put himself in that scenario anyway. Just resign Backlund at the best price you can negiotiate and even if he doesnt fit... Trade him signed over the next year. They can afford any deal for 18 months which gives them lots of time to find a good trade.. Also gives them another year of backlund potentially.

There is a pretty good chance that Backlund will require a no-trade clause in his next contract, regardless if he is signed before or after UFA.

As he's getting pretty close to UFA anyway, he will likely be a tough sign. I expect if he was going to be signed, it would have happened by now. But there are always a few guys that sign just before the trade deadline, so it could happen.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

There is a pretty good chance that Backlund will require a no-trade clause in his next contract, regardless if he is signed before or after UFA.

As he's getting pretty close to UFA anyway, he will likely be a tough sign. I expect if he was going to be signed, it would have happened by now. But there are always a few guys that sign just before the trade deadline, so it could happen.

Yeah I agree its not looking good.

That said if he wants a NTC it would be part of the negiotiating and not given away free... You would think it would drive the price down to a level the flames could swallow. And not too many young guys like backs with no kids insist on NTCs or refuse to waive them if they end up not needed by their team.

Anyway bottom line, hope the flames dont lose him for nothing and end up a worse team next year because of it.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Yeah I agree its not looking good.

That said if he wants a NTC it would be part of the negiotiating and not given away free... You would think it would drive the price down to a level the flames could swallow. And not too many young guys like backs with no kids insist on NTCs or refuse to waive them if they end up not needed by their team.

Anyway bottom line, hope the flames dont lose him for nothing and end up a worse team next year because of it.

In UFA he would ask for and likely get a NTC. That's what the Flames are negotiating against right now, since it's down to the wire.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

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

Eberle went to the Islanders - also Edm East

I'll give you Hall - but its not like the Devils paid full price for him.

Who cares about Schultz? where does he play now?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Corral

Eberle went to the Islanders - also Edm East

I'll give you Hall - but its not like the Devils paid full price for him.

Who cares about Schultz? where does he play now?

Ummm...2 time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh. Led all their Dmen in pts during last years run.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Corral

Eberle went to the Islanders - also Edm East

I'll give you Hall - but its not like the Devils paid full price for him.

Who cares about Schultz? where does he play now?

Originally Posted by transplant99

Ummm...2 time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh. Led all their Dmen in pts during last years run.

Dubnyk says hi as well.

[Poe969]

The team needs to poop or get off the pot with Backlund. He seems distracted and not playing well, and if this isn't him distracted he should be traded ASAP because he hasn't looked good for a while. I know there's more to it but something has to be done and a decision needs to be made. Maybe they're waiting to see what else is available but I think they need to be more aggressive and shoot for the stars. I would shop Backlund and if a good deal is available, take it. They need someone who can score.

[Erick Estrada]

He's certainly not playing himself into a big contract this season which may be a good thing for the Flames trying to retain him. He's been garbage since the break and has only scored one more goal than Jankowski despite playin in 8 more games. He's looking more and more like a 3rd line center on this team as the season progresses.