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

[konradical]

I think if everyone see's Backlund as the captain, then he will become the captain. He has been better in his 30's then early 20s so I think he will continue to be really good as a late bloomer.

The thing with him is that he seems to elevate everyone's game whoever he plays with, and seems to be very respected. He loves Calgary, you can really tell especially with his charity work too. He is 100% the best captain for this team. I love Andersson and Weegar, but if he is staying for the long run it'll be hard for the players not see Backs as the leader.

If he resigns it will be for a discount no doubt. I would still take him for 3 mil a year for 4 more years. Even at 39 I think he would be an elite 4th liner/ really good defensive 3rd liner. He gets to be captain for 5 years. Might surpass Iggy in games played and climb to 4th in points most likely to finish his career. He will become the first player to play a whole career for Calgary.

My question is if he does extend with the Flames, do you think he will ever get his jersey retired or should he get his jersey retired? Not as necessarily as being "one of the best" but he will be in a unique situation like (Hejduk, Koivu, Lehtinen) where he is up there in lots of records, played his whole career in one place, captain (or leader) and extremely popular. He would be close to 20 years on the team.

[ComixZone]

Backlund being cap'n also gives us that true underdog story feel. Long serving crusty old captain strapping the skates on for one more go at it.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

Backlund has been through it all with the team, has had his hardships and plays the game the right way. He has shadowed both Iginla and Gio and personally I can't think of a better choice for Captain right now.

This team is in a transition phase and Backs will serve as a great captain for the next 2-3 seasons until he can pass the torch to the next worthy player.

Having someone like Backs to look up to for the younger players is important, from early injuries in his career, changing his game to find a way to become a very effective player in the league and to contributing positively to the community and giving back as much as possible.

If it wasn't for his contract this would be a no brainier.

Also...age.

If Backlund was 29 and wanted 4 more years I'd be far more happy to accommodate that.

If we didnt already have a ton of guys signed to 'Senior Citizens' contracts I'd be happier to accommodate Backlund.

This team has painted itself into a corner.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Locke

Also...age.

If Backlund was 29 and wanted 4 more years I'd be far more happy to accommodate that.

If we didnt already have a ton of guys signed to 'Senior Citizens' contracts I'd be happier to accommodate Backlund.

This team has painted itself into a corner.

We have 4 guys signed past 35, 2 of which will not even pass 35 for 6-7 years.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Locke

Also...age.

If Backlund was 29 and wanted 4 more years I'd be far more happy to accommodate that.

If we didnt already have a ton of guys signed to 'Senior Citizens' contracts I'd be happier to accommodate Backlund.

This team has painted itself into a corner.

Why do you really care though? Even if the wheels fall off, there's always LTIRetirement.

Backlund was an $8M player for the Flames last year, and arguably our best C. I think he will be at least a $4M player for the next 3 years, and then he might become a $2M player, when his skating gets slower. As long as you're paying Backlund #3C money you can't go wrong.

[Number 39]

IMO you get into trouble handing out term to mid 30's players. Thats the age teams should be going year to year with them. Easier said than done I know.

I also expect Backlund will want term/top $ as (again just my opinion) by resigning in Calgary he will very likely be passing up winning a cup or going on a deep run. I'd love to be wrong though but I don't see it with the current collection of players.

[FlameX]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Staying or not, I still think Andersson should be captain over Backlund. Hand the reigns over to the younger group already. Should have been done the day after Giordano left.

Backlund is old and requested a trade. I don’t care that he changed his mind. Move on from him.

I 100% agree. I don’t want a player who’s wavered over staying. Not to mention a 34 year old captain makes no sense when instead, you can give it to a young guy who already has lots of experience and leadership under his belt. A guy who saids he loves the city and team.

Anderson makes the most sense.

[GioforPM]

I love Andersson but a big reason he's not wavering about staying is because he has 3 years left on his deal. The decision isn't really being put to him. He made the same committment to the Flames as Backlund, Lindholm etc did at the same age.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

We have 4 guys signed past 35, 2 of which will not even pass 35 for 6-7 years.

What's the combined salary of those 4 guys that are signed WAY past 35?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Redrum

What's the combined salary of those 4 guys that are signed WAY past 35?

Why would that matter?

I think there’s one year where 3 guys over 35 will account for $23M, otherwise $17M, and Backlund won’t factor into that at all.

[transplant99]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1705310920128569802

[Yeah_Baby]

*cue Game of Thrones theme*

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

If you are a Lightning or Hurricanes fan you probably don't worry about this stuff because there's a track record of team building but this is the Flames we are talking about. This isn't the Bruins here where the old guys they hung on to have a history of winning, this is the Flames which haven't had much in the way of success over the past 3 decades. 2004 was almost 20 years ago and the team has only made it to the 2nd round twice since then.

Rusic is largely an outsider that saw the Flames from afar in Toronto and one thing he's brought up a few times that makes a lot of sense is that this team hasn't done anything for decades. He's not attached to the players or this team like we the fans and the current management which is largely the same people minus Treliving. He's asked several times why fans and management are so worried about keeping a group together that's largely failed at making any progress towards winning a cup.

Lindholm and Backlund have some good seasons left but their next contracts will largely be paying based on past performance. It just seems like the players have the leverage now and any deals signed aren't going to age well at all for the Flames. If they sign these guys I'm going to support them and hope it works out but I hope Conroy can stand firm and not cave in during negotiations. To be fair to Conroy it appears he's done just that as he hasn't hastily signed anyone yet. However it plays out as a fan you just have to ride it out and hope that there's an infusion of young talent over the years that gives the team a boost when some of these aging players can no longer carry the team.

I'm quoting your post as an example and not to focus solely on your comments alone.
I don't think anyone is disputing the general principle that the Flames should make moves to get younger. That principle does not need to be argued or justified. Conroy has endorsed it. It seems universally accepted.

However, that general principle - like all general principles - does not determine every individual contract decision. It is a factor but not the whole story.

This team intends to compete and it has one top-nine center signed past this year. As some have suggested, signing Backlund helps make the potential loss of Lindholm less as he is still a capable 2nd line centre. If Backlund is signed for two more years at a reasonable cap hit, then I have a lot of trouble thinking that it is an anchor of a contract. If by the last year Backlund is your fourth line centre, that means that some of your younger players have taken a step forward. As an example, the Leafs who have many younger superstars still find usefulness in Gio despite his reduced effectiveness.

The issue with Backlund will be term and dollars - as with all contracts. He's still an effective player and will be for a few more years.

Now, if Lindholm signs to 8 years and Backlund signs for 4 years all at higher cap hits, then your worries are completely valid. We just don't have that information.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by transplant99

https://twitter.com/user/status/1705310920128569802

"Hello Rasmus...the Backlunds send their regards!!"

[FanIn80]

All hail King Rasmus, the Whomper!



(the Boomer is probably not the best nickname)

[direwolf]

I think both Ras and Backs would make great captains. Whatever happens, I'm fine with either one.

[jayswin]

If it's hapenning very soon I'd imagine they're going with Andersson as reported. Backlund won't be captain without an extension and I doubt he's signing in the next few days.

[PuckSlap]

As much as I am looking forward to Anderson potentially being the next flames captain. A couple years ago I thought that kylington was going to be the next one. He has a certain swagger and has a presence on the ice. Who knows, maybe one day he could at least wear an A.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Calgary4LIfe]

Backlund is still one of the best skaters on this team. Is he likely to fall off a cliff in 2-3 years?



I am 100% in favour of a rebuild, but I have zero qualms on having Backlund stick around another 2-3 years. He is looked upon as the captain on this team, he is elite defensively, just finished off a fantastic season in which the majority of his teammates took a step back, and there is nobody on this team that does as much as he does for the community.


I would welcome a Backlund re-signing.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Backlund is still one of the best skaters on this team. Is he likely to fall off a cliff in 2-3 years?



I am 100% in favour of a rebuild, but I have zero qualms on having Backlund stick around another 2-3 years. He is looked upon as the captain on this team, he is elite defensively, just finished off a fantastic season in which the majority of his teammates took a step back, and there is nobody on this team that does as much as he does for the community.


I would welcome a Backlund re-signing.

Well just remember that sticking around 2-3 years means signing a 1 or 2 year deal. I doubt that is in the cards. A re-signed Backlund presumably means 4 or 5 more years.

Would it be so bad to wait until we get deeper in the season to sign him? That kind of seems like a better strategy for re-signing older players unless they’re willing to take a discount to take the risk of injury or deteriorating play off the table.