[Rumour] Islanders willing to trade this year's 1st for more immediate help

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by moon

Yep.

Offense is valued highly and there are always teams that will overlook other stuff to add offense. Also seems like a guy who teams would think they can still fix and make into a more complete player.

I don't think I would take Gagner over Backlund but my guess is more teams than not would.

You are the voice of reason in some debates. But that sir is crazy talk.

I think more teams would take the bigger, better two-way centre who is on a much, much better contract. Backlund really had a coming out party this season and I think his value far exceeds Gagner at this point. If Gagner had tremendous value I think the Oilers would've already moved him. His contract is not worth what he brings to most teams in the league IMO.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by moon

Yep.

Offense is valued highly and there are always teams that will overlook other stuff to add offense. Also seems like a guy who teams would think they can still fix and make into a more complete player.

I don't think I would take Gagner over Backlund but my guess is more teams than not would.

I disagree mainly due to contract situation. Backs makes $3M less than Ganger and is a RFA next year. ganger is a UFA. Backs is also the better two-way player who is trending up where Ganger came out of the gate strong but has flatlined since

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I prefer Backlund over Gagner, Turris, Eller and Sutter. So that puts him 12th for me.

(If Turris keeps up his pace from this year though, I might change my mind on him)

I really liked Ellers game last night tho. I have yet to see Backlund be around the puck every shift like Eller was.

That's not saying he was better positioned than I've ever seen Backlund, but Eller was tenacious last night.

I would say Eller has the heads up on "O" and back checks well. However Backlund is so well positioned defensively in all 3 zones and better than Eller on D, they are very close players IMO.

And I consider Eller above the other 4 but barely Sutter..

[dying4acup]

Wow. Where did this thread go?

On the Backlund topic:
He has had an excellent season. His development is (back) on track. He has as high a value as he's ever had, since he was drafted. That said, at the age of 25, he just had his first "healthy" season (70+) games, and I fear his brittle frame will continue to battle injury in coming seasons. If #5 is part of the return, then take it.

In addition, if u can get #5 for a Backlund package, u might also be able to score #1 or 2 for a Baertchi package.

In conclusion; I'm happy with Backlunds season, just not convinced he's part of the future. I'm not sure he can sustain health, so I'm not sure he can build on this season.

I'm also pretty sure that despite his season, few see him as a top 2 center. I am pretty sure Burke wants a big physical 3rd and 4th line (why they brought Colborne in) as apposed to a small, scoring 3rd line.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Turris was producing about on the same level as Backlund until this year (<30 pts). This is his first real breakout season.

Not really, every since he came to Ottawa he's been a completely different player. In 11/12 he put up 29 points in 49 games (49 points pace), and last year he would have been on pace for 50 points in an 82 game season. He's still trending upwards, and was probably Ottawa's best forward this season. He's definitely better than Backlund right now, but obviously that's to be expected when you're taken 3rd overall.

I think the best compliment you can give Backlund is that there was really only one player taken after him in that range that's better than he is right now (Perron). So for someone taken 24th overall that's not too bad. Heck there's only a few players that are still in the league taken in the same range in 2007.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I'd prefer the Flames give up draft picks first and foremost, and then add in veterans/prospects if need be. I really don't think you trade Sven or Mikael.