[News] Flames name Backlund captain, announce two-year extension (2 years, $4.5m AAV)

[Ferarri]

The media made such a huge stink about naming a captain after Sutter's reluctance to do so. Instead of asking the question as to why they didn't have one under the last coach they ran on the premise that it was crucial to name one.

I'm not saying Backlund is a bad choice or that any other player on the team would have more success in the role, but it seems like Darryl was always one step ahead with this group. We are starting to see what he meant about lack of skill, leadership and talent.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

More than I can say for Gio and his results at the helm - amazing player and defenseman, and Backlund to date. I don't think anyone could argue that the leadership group needs to step up and hold themselves and the team accountable for their dismal play thus far.

I'm not sure who the real leadership group is. But few players are truly holding themselves accountable.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Backlund works his butt off, and never cheats the game. He ain't the problem.

Yep, he’s a great captain and the leader of this team, Andersson so himself. Backlund just got a raw deal with the way the core has given up on the season. Hard to win a tug of war when the highest paid guys at the front of the line don’t even have their hands on the rope anymore.

[Huntingwhale]

There a dozen or so things wrong with this team before you even make it to Backlund on the "what's wrong" list. Anybody who was expecting a 34 year old veteran to suddenly become a game breaker because he got the C...well, that's on you for having that kind of silly expectation. Even with the team in the sewer now, I'd much rather see the team have a captain then none.

There's the Flames' team on the ice and the Flames' community stuff off of it. I'd argue the work the team does in the community is infinitely more important that playing a kid's game, and nobody does it better than Backlund off the ice.