[Rumour] Dreger: Backlund is available. Garrioch: Shane O'Brien available too

[kehatch]

Orlov is requesting a trade. A Backlund / Orlov swap makes a bunch of sense.

[FlameZilla]

My final input on the Backlund situation:

This reminds me of Markus Naslund's situation early in his career in Pittsburgh. The guy was doing all the right things but struggled to put up the points expected of him. He'd show flashes of brilliance when he was on Lemieux or Jagr/Francis's line, but ultimately was inconsistent & frequently benched or scratched. Finally Pitts traded him for a player drafted a few spots ahead of him (career minor leaguer). Naslund was a similar age to what Backlund is now (I believe he was 23) and he didn't start to produce adequately until he was 25/26.

Backs strikes me as one of these late-blooming skill players like Naslund or to a lesser extent the Sedins. He has similar physical tools and is really tactically aware out there. He doesn't have the killer wrist-shot of Naslund, so he ain't gonna net 40 goals a season, but I still think he's playing to about 60% of his potential.

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Orlov is requesting a trade. A Backlund / Orlov swap makes a bunch of sense.

It does not. Why should the Flames trade for a player that whines when he is not handed NHL minutes?

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by DOOM

It does not. Why should the Flames trade for a player that whines when he is not handed NHL minutes?

Same reason that Ottawa went after Turris. Worked out pretty well for them.

Orlov has a case. The guy is getting zero opportunity with the new coach. Similar to Backlund. Both guys need a change of scenery. Hense, a swap makes a lot of sense.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by DOOM

It does not. Why should the Flames trade for a player that whines when he is not handed NHL minutes?

It's a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if conditions aren't met.

If the Caps didn't like it they shouldn't have agreed the conditions in the first place.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

My final input on the Backlund situation:

This reminds me of Markus Naslund's situation early in his career in Pittsburgh. The guy was doing all the right things but struggled to put up the points expected of him. He'd show flashes of brilliance when he was on Lemieux or Jagr/Francis's line, but ultimately was inconsistent & frequently benched or scratched. Finally Pitts traded him for a player drafted a few spots ahead of him (career minor leaguer). Naslund was a similar age to what Backlund is now (I believe he was 23) and he didn't start to produce adequately until he was 25/26.

Backs strikes me as one of these late-blooming skill players like Naslund or to a lesser extent the Sedins. He has similar physical tools and is really tactically aware out there. He doesn't have the killer wrist-shot of Naslund, so he ain't gonna net 40 goals a season, but I still think he's playing to about 60% of his potential.

I'm sorry but I do not see the comparison between Backlund and Naslund at all.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Is Backlund worse than Galiardi or David Jones?

He's worse than Jones.