Backlund and Andersson Tidbits

[Fighting Banana Slug]

He was terrible as a winger.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

No, love the guy - but jersey retirement, like the HHOF, should only be reserved for the league-wide elite.

Disagree. Jersey retirement should be an honour reflective of the way the player honoured the team and/or the city, or meant something uniquely special to the city/franchise. Sometimes that’s play alone, but I think other factors can come into play.

Backlund qualifies imo. Flames’ draft pick and captain that has spent the majority of his career (all with the Flames) an unsung hero. From his individual play, to his role in shaping the play of young guys lucky enough to get stapled to his side, to his significant, ongoing contributions to the community.

And I think there’s an argument for him being one of the league-wide elite in his role. It’s not flashy and he may not be at that level any more or be dropping off it with age, but I think (oddly) the only reason his elite defensive game has been overlooked in his career is his lack of offence.

[dammage79]

I mean it's a pretty open fact now isn't it. Andersson won't be a Flame beyond this season. Not sure Conny would have been pleased that Backlund said that publicly unless they okayed it.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I mean it's a pretty open fact now isn't it. Andersson won't be a Flame beyond this season. Not sure Conny would have been pleased that Backlund said that publicly unless they okayed it.

Pretty interesting that he was very open about it. But I like it. He's the captain, it's the elephant in the room and he addressed it head on.

[bettercallbettman]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I mean it's a pretty open fact now isn't it. Andersson won't be a Flame beyond this season. Not sure Conny would have been pleased that Backlund said that publicly unless they okayed it.

Let's hope he's not a Flames beyond the end of the week. Sucks when players hold their teams hostage. FU Andersson.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by bettercallbettman

Let's hope he's not a Flames beyond the end of the week. Sucks when players hold their teams hostage. FU Andersson.

How is he holding the team hostage?
- He has a limited NTC that he negotiated. He is exercising it.
- For other teams he is expressing that he's not willing to sign with them, at least immediately after being traded. He may be also saying for certain markets (LA) he has no interest in signing long-term there.

None of that is unfair. This is his life and his family. He has earned those rights. And he should exercise them.

If the Flames want to shift their attention to selling him as a rental and create a market around that, he can only block teams on his NTC list.

There are no bad guys here. Except ####ty fans.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

How is he holding the team hostage?
- He has a limited NTC that he negotiated. He is exercising it.
- For other teams he is expressing that he's not willing to sign with them, at least immediately after being traded. He may be also saying for certain markets (LA) he has no interest in signing long-term there.

None of that is unfair. This is his life and his family. He has earned those rights. And he should exercise them.

If the Flames want to shift their attention to selling him as a rental and create a market around that, he can only block teams on his NTC list.

There are no bad guys here. Except ####ty fans.

Exactly. He hasn't said he wouldn't accept a trade to LA but he said he wouldn't sign long term there. LA would only trade for him with an extension in place. Nothing untoward happened in that situation. The other teams that tried to workout a trade for him were already on his no trade list and he wasn't willing to waive for those teams. That was the privilege that his contract has given to him. Nothing wrong here either. I can't understand how anyone things he is holding the team hostage.

[Sandman]

Not many players can tilt the ice off of mostly defensive zone starts the way Backs can. He plays the game the right way and doesn’t cheat. He’s a perfect guy to keep around to mentor our youth, and it would be nice if he got a position on the bench somewhere in the organization when he retires.

[Calgary Highlander]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Probably not. Maybe they'll resurrect the "forever a flame" thing... which is lame but they seem really reluctant to retire numbers.

I do really want Backlund to be a career Flame and then have them find a spot for him in the organization... maybe as a coach? My gut says he'd be a good coach.

Backlund is kind of the opposite of Fleury.

By all rights, based on the impact he made on ice, 14 should be a retired jersey number for the Flames. But Theo's off-ice behaviour in the media holds him back from the honour.

With Backlund, all of his off-ice contributions to the team and community push him towards a jersey retirement IMO, even if the on-ice impact was limited to two runs to the second round in what will end up being an 18 or 19 year career.

[wired]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Fine. I'll say it. I want Backlund to retire a Flame.

Two year team friendly contract. He is still a great leader by all accounts.

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

Backlund is kind of the opposite of Fleury.

By all rights, based on the impact he made on ice, 14 should be a retired jersey number for the Flames. But Theo's off-ice behaviour in the media holds him back from the honour.

With Backlund, all of his off-ice contributions to the team and community push him towards a jersey retirement IMO, even if the on-ice impact was limited to two runs to the second round in what will end up being an 18 or 19 year career.

I like the way you put forth Backlunds case...defining of his era.

[BigThief]

Backlund is a perfect candidate if they ever did Forever A Flame properly

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

How is he holding the team hostage?
- He has a limited NTC that he negotiated. He is exercising it.
- For other teams he is expressing that he's not willing to sign with them, at least immediately after being traded. He may be also saying for certain markets (LA) he has no interest in signing long-term there.

None of that is unfair. This is his life and his family. He has earned those rights. And he should exercise them.

If the Flames want to shift their attention to selling him as a rental and create a market around that, he can only block teams on his NTC list.

There are no bad guys here. Except ####ty fans.

For the bolded, it's also a reflection that at his core, Ras is a decent, honest person. Contrast him being honest with these other teams in this situation on his intent, with Alan Fox and his agent straight up lying to Carolina saying they would sign with them if they made the trade as Don Waddell revealed earlier this summer.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1950213720128324036

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Sec214

SHOCKER!

Insert Train Leaving GIF.

I just hope it's not this train in terms of trade value.

[Vinny01]

I think this deal would benefit both teams (if the Ducks are forced to move on from McTavish)

To Ducks: Andersson, Zary, Mews
To Flames: McTavish, Zellweger

[Jiri Hrdina]

Feels like it favors the Flames heavily.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Feels like it favors the Flames heavily.

Ya probably. I would add the Vegas 1st as well. Maybe find a deal where Zellweger is out? I do think Andersson and Zary for McTavish is a decent starting point.

Again this is only if there is an issue with the player and team and McTavish wants out which seems unlikely. As long as he remains unsigned though there will be speculation

[FanIn80]

If only there was a way to get Gautier, if we're dealing with ANA.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Disagree. Jersey retirement should be an honour reflective of the way the player honoured the team and/or the city, or meant something uniquely special to the city/franchise. Sometimes that’s play alone, but I think other factors can come into play.

Backlund qualifies imo. Flames’ draft pick and captain that has spent the majority of his career (all with the Flames) an unsung hero. From his individual play, to his role in shaping the play of young guys lucky enough to get stapled to his side, to his significant, ongoing contributions to the community.

And I think there’s an argument for him being one of the league-wide elite in his role. It’s not flashy and he may not be at that level any more or be dropping off it with age, but I think (oddly) the only reason his elite defensive game has been overlooked in his career is his lack of offence.

Maybe I am skewed being in Montreal, but I find that team banners and jersey retirements should require an extremely high standard.

I know the Canadiens are an extreme example, but over their 114 year history they have retired 15 jerseys (& 18 players); many suspect Price will have his jersey retired soon as well. This equates to a jersey every 7.6 seasons (7.1 if we include Price).

The Calgary Flames on the other hand have retired 4 jerseys in their 45 year history, equating to a jersey retirement every 11.25 years. I think we are all confident that Gaudreau will join the club soon. In addition we have 2 'Forever a Flame' jerseys hanging from the rafters. If we count Gaudreau, Niewendyk & MacInnis, we end up with a jersey in the rafters every 6.4 years. Add Backlund and we are at a jersey for every 5.6 years.

Now I know it is hard to compare eras, but I find it embarrassing to amplify the success of a club that has won 1 stanley cup, and has not proceeded past the second round in 20+ years over a club who has won 24 cups.

Same story for division championship banners.

Keep the rafters special. Keep the retirements rare. It creates more value when you legitimately have something to celebrate.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Maybe I am skewed being in Montreal, but I find that team banners and jersey retirements should require an extremely high standard.

I know the Canadiens are an extreme example, but over their 114 year history they have retired 15 jerseys (& 18 players); many suspect Price will have his jersey retired soon as well. This equates to a jersey every 7.6 seasons (7.1 if we include Price).

The Calgary Flames on the other hand have retired 4 jerseys in their 45 year history, equating to a jersey retirement every 11.25 years. I think we are all confident that Gaudreau will join the club soon. In addition we have 2 'Forever a Flame' jerseys hanging from the rafters. If we count Gaudreau, Niewendyk & MacInnis, we end up with a jersey in the rafters every 6.4 years. Add Backlund and we are at a jersey for every 5.6 years.

Now I know it is hard to compare eras, but I find it embarrassing to amplify the success of a club that has won 1 stanley cup, and has not proceeded past the second round in 20+ years over a club who has won 24 cups.

Same story for division championship banners.

Keep the rafters special. Keep the retirements rare. It creates more value when you legitimately have something to celebrate.

Fair points but Nieuwendyk and MacInnis definitely don’t count, imo. And the math is off a bit.

The franchise has been around for 53 years. 6 retirements in that time (counting Gaudreau and Backlund) is already only one every 8.8 years. By the time they’re both actually retired, we’re probably looking at closer to 58-60 years, or near one every 10 years.

And, given that they’re both exceptional circumstances unlikely to be repeated any time soon (for one, hopefully ever), I think that’s more than fair.

What would be the next one? Parekh if we’re lucky in 20+ years?

I think the ratio is just fine now, and I respect your opinion on maintaining something close to that, but not at the expense of honouring players under exceptional circumstances.

Honouring Backlund isn’t a celebration of the teams he played on or the success of the franchise, it’s about his contributions to the team and the city. If those don’t qualify as special I’m not sure what does.