[Rumour] Backlund leaning towards not re-signing with Flames

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CFO

Comes to a point you take whatever you can get.

Yeah, and we are still very, very far away from that point.

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[Bingo]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

If the Flames would have had Backlund on the 2023 TDL market they might of have gotten more than what Ellers got. BUT 32 year old Marcus Johanssen 13 goals and 28 pts in 60 games and a 1.1 M cap hit with the Caps got them a 3rd round pick

This year the potential TDL forwards are the same guys that are crowding the market for Backlund right now. They are currently playing out their UFA and have not been extended by their current teams.

These guys are in the same boat as Backlund and Lindholm ( and Hannifin)

These guys have the TDL as plan B. A lot signed their one year deal with that option available.

Marcus Johanasson is a sub 50% xGF% player. He's offence or nothing.

Mikael Backlund has dwarfed Johansson in almost every single statistic you could use to compare forwarrds. More productive. Less offensize zone start splits, tougher competition, better play driving.

Apple meet orange.

For forwards over the last 3 years that have played 2000 minutes, Backlund is ranked 15th in xGF%.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Marcus Johanasson is a sub 50% xGF% player. He's offence or nothing.

Mikael Backlund has dwarfed Johansson in almost every single statistic you could use to compare forwarrds. More productive. Less offensize zone start splits, tougher competition, better play driving.

Apple meet orange.

For forwards over the last 3 years that have played 2000 minutes, Backlund is ranked 15th in xGF%.

The Wild awarded this bum with a 2 x 2M NTC contract, This is a team that has 15M in cap tied up in the parise/Suter buyouts for the next 2 years.

This is also is a team that expects to make the playoffs. What do they know ?

What would you be comfortable with Flames extending Backlund. I would guess that 2x2 would be the high end of his extension.

You wonder how the NHL brains figure out how the player ages out.

Dallas was confident that Pavelski would be productive signing the 39 year old to 3.5 plus 2M in performance bonuses for next year.

They also signed him as a 38 year old to a 5.5 x 1 and are paying him an extra 500K in performance bonus.

10 days before his 35th birthday they signed him to a 7x3. How did they know that he was not going to age out?

Does the league as a whole somehow expect Backlund to be done at 35?

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

There just aren't that many 35 year olds traded and those that are generate really poor returns. I know Backlund is a favorite son but he's going to be a player that will play well down the lineup and be considered on his last legs. Now before you start arguing otherwise please consider the views of the majority of this board when it comes to players approaching 30. Backlund is approaching 35. Proper context matters which is why you can't compare Backlund to trades which involve 26 or 31 year olds. Compare apples to apples. The market for Backlund has been nonexistent based on reports, so why would you expect there to be a huge swing at the deadline?

I would say just about any contender out there that needs 3/4C depth is going to be in on him at the TDL. It's not going to bother a team like Colorado or Tampa Bay for instance if they need to drop a 27th overall pick for him and they fully know they are one of the top teams in the league.

Right now, why would you flip something for the asset if you aren't sure it's a put me over the top type of deal? This is exactly what Backlund is for any top team at this point.

What's concerning is that the team has yet to deal with the Vladar situation and still has Hanifin/Lindholm conundrums to sort out as well.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I would say just about any contender out there that needs 3/4C depth is going to be in on him at the TDL. It's not going to bother a team like Colorado or Tampa Bay for instance if they need to drop a 27th overall pick for him and they fully know they are one of the top teams in the league.

Right now, why would you flip something for the asset if you aren't sure it's a put me over the top type of deal? This is exactly what Backlund is for any top team at this point.

What's concerning is that the team has yet to deal with the Vladar situation and still has Hanifin/Lindholm conundrums to sort out as well.

Yup and I'd say this applies to Tanev as well (though his health makes it a bigger roll of the dice). He's a perfect stabilizing defenceman.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

What would you be comfortable with Flames extending Backlund. I would guess that 2x2 would be the high end of his extension.

I’ll take the overs on that easily

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The Wild awarded this bum with a 2 x 2M NTC contract, This is a team that has 15M in cap tied up in the parise/Suter buyouts for the next 2 years.

This is also is a team that expects to make the playoffs. What do they know ?

What would you be comfortable with Flames extending Backlund. I would guess that 2x2 would be the high end of his extension.

You wonder how the NHL brains figure out how the player ages out.

Dallas was confident that Pavelski would be productive signing the 39 year old to 3.5 plus 2M in performance bonuses for next year.

They also signed him as a 38 year old to a 5.5 x 1 and are paying him an extra 500K in performance bonus.

10 days before his 35th birthday they signed him to a 7x3. How did they know that he was not going to age out?

Does the league as a whole somehow expect Backlund to be done at 35?

Honestly don't follow.

None of that seems to counter nor agree with anything I said in replying to your last post.

The market is stunted. I'm guessing it frees up closer to the trade deadline when the next cap raise is more closely on the horizon. Backlund has value beyond just comparing ages, or production.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

There just aren't that many 35 year olds traded and those that are generate really poor returns. I know Backlund is a favorite son but he's going to be a player that will play well down the lineup and be considered on his last legs. Now before you start arguing otherwise please consider the views of the majority of this board when it comes to players approaching 30. Backlund is approaching 35. Proper context matters which is why you can't compare Backlund to trades which involve 26 or 31 year olds. Compare apples to apples. The market for Backlund has been nonexistent based on reports, so why would you expect there to be a huge swing at the deadline?

I agree 100%, and I have made the comment that we fans need to temper our expectations of what Backlund will return to us in a trade.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I agree 100%, and I have made the comment that we fans need to temper our expectations of what Backlund will return to us in a trade.

Jeff Carter got a 3rd and 4th as a 36 year old coming off of 27 point season and a 19 point season and during a season where he was on pace for 38 points. He also had one year left on his contract after those impressive totals from a guy who was largely an offensive player who lacked the defensive presence of Backlund.

I suspect a younger Backlund who is coming off of a 56 point season and 39 points the year before and is better defensively will get signifcantly more than what the Pens gave up for Carter. He is worth two second rounders as a floor I suspect.

A 33 year old Nick Foligno had 16 points in 42 games, and the two years before he had 31 and 35 points. He garnered a 1st round pick and a 4th. I suspect Backlund's numbers will be better than 16 points in 42 games this year. He is another comparable.

The idea that teams cannot get a return for guys in their mid's 30's is refuted by the returns that other teams have received for guys in their mid 30's.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Jeff Carter got a 3rd and 4th as a 36 year old coming off of 27 point season and a 19 point season and during a season where he was on pace for 38 points. He also had one year left on his contract after those impressive totals from a guy who was largely an offensive player who lacked the defensive presence of Backlund.

I suspect a younger Backlund who is coming off of a 56 point season and 39 points the year before and is better defensively will get signifcantly more than what the Pens gave up for Carter. He is worth two second rounders as a floor I suspect.

A 33 year old Nick Foligno had 16 points in 42 games, and the two years before he had 31 and 35 points. He garnered a 1st round pick and a 4th. I suspect Backlund's numbers will be better than 16 points in 42 games this year. He is another comparable.

The idea that teams cannot get a return for guys in their mid's 30's is refuted by the returns that other teams have received for guys in their mid 30's.

It's a tough Market and teams out there know the Flames are backed in the corner. I see it as a little bit of a Glenncross situation Backlund is betting on himself. He might have a couple good years, and traded.

If it is not about money and he wants to win a cup then it is about getting him into the right team and situation. In that respect the Flames options are probably even more limited to a handful of teams. Must have been a very tough decision for Backlund, I wish he would have stay. Retire here get a front office job, do some scouting.

[Ferarri]

Not sure if this has been said or not but I think this is a perfect opportunity for Iginla to have a chat with Backlund about his legacy here in Calgary. Backlund is at a crossroads and I can’t fault him for wanting a chance to win the cup. However, Jarome faced a similar situation when he decided to chase that elusive milestone and unfortunately didn’t pan out.

If this is indeed his dream than certainly the Flames should oblige and allow him to move on as he’s been a consummate pro for the organization and deserves that respect. One thing to note though is just how hard it is to win a Stanley Cup and there are no guarantees. When Iggy moved to Pittsburgh and played with Crosby everyone thought that was an automatic cup favorite and in the end they were ousted. I look at the Backlund situation and the market for contender teams looking to add isn’t great with cap room/flexibility being a primary concern. If Backlund was to move I’m not sure he’s moving into a situation where the team that acquires him are favorites (though he would probably have a better chance than staying with the Flames).

I think the option that could be more attractive is being named captain of the Flames and cementing his legacy as one of the greats to wear the Flaming C. He could potentially play his entire tenure with the Flames and continue to build his reputation both on and off the ice. If he fails to win a cup via trade then I think this could potentially be more alluring to a player of his caliber. Eventually when you retire you could have the distinction of being a captain for the only franchise you’ve ever played for. To me that there is a lot of merit in that and a guy like Jarome can attest to the struggles of chasing a cup and coming up short.

If Backlund truly wants a shot at the cup then fair enough he’s earned that right. But I would also be mindful that option B of staying in Calgary and being named Captain has advantages as well. Nobody knows what the Flames will be like next season but there is a chance with some bounce back years from key players that they could make the playoffs. Unless there is other issues, like locker room dynamics that are influencing his decision then I would think carefully about what to do.

Regardless, the guys who are in this holding pattern of wait and see need to show the organization a professional courtesy and make a decision so that both sides can do what’s best for the team/player moving forward.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Ferarri

Not sure if this has been said or not but I think this is a perfect opportunity for Iginla to have a chat with Backlund about his legacy here in Calgary. Backlund is at a crossroads and I can’t fault him for wanting a chance to win the cup. However, Jarome faced a similar situation when he decided to chase that elusive milestone and unfortunately didn’t pan out.

If this is indeed his dream than certainly the Flames should oblige and allow him to move on as he’s been a consummate pro for the organization and deserves that respect. One thing to note though is just how hard it is to win a Stanley Cup and there are no guarantees. When Iggy moved to Pittsburgh and played with Crosby everyone thought that was an automatic cup favorite and in the end they were ousted. I look at the Backlund situation and the market for contender teams looking to add isn’t great with cap room/flexibility being a primary concern. If Backlund was to move I’m not sure he’s moving into a situation where the team that acquires him are favorites (though he would probably have a better chance than staying with the Flames).

I think the option that could be more attractive is being named captain of the Flames and cementing his legacy as one of the greats to wear the Flaming C. He could potentially play his entire tenure with the Flames and continue to build his reputation both on and off the ice. If he fails to win a cup via trade then I think this could potentially be more alluring to a player of his caliber. Eventually when you retire you could have the distinction of being a captain for the only franchise you’ve ever played for. To me that there is a lot of merit in that and a guy like Jarome can attest to the struggles of chasing a cup and coming up short.

If Backlund truly wants a shot at the cup then fair enough he’s earned that right. But I would also be mindful that option B of staying in Calgary and being named Captain has advantages as well. Nobody knows what the Flames will be like next season but there is a chance with some bounce back years from key players that they could make the playoffs. Unless there is other issues, like locker room dynamics that are influencing his decision then I would think carefully about what to do.

Regardless, the guys who are in this holding pattern of wait and see need to show the organization a professional courtesy and make a decision so that both sides can do what’s best for the team/player moving forward.

Pretty sure they're all planning to show up at training camp ready to play their hearts out in a contract year if that's what it comes to. These are simply negotiations with posturing from both sides. If Flames want an answer, they can skip to the end and put their absolute final take it or leave it offer on the table any time (but that's probably not the best strategy).


As for the legacy stuff, it's hard to quantify what that value actually holds for a player. If they plan to stay or spend time in the community, maybe it means more...but the fact that Iggy left doesn't really change anything for him (except finding other places he prefers to live).

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Jeff Carter got a 3rd and 4th as a 36 year old coming off of 27 point season and a 19 point season and during a season where he was on pace for 38 points. He also had one year left on his contract after those impressive totals from a guy who was largely an offensive player who lacked the defensive presence of Backlund.

I suspect a younger Backlund who is coming off of a 56 point season and 39 points the year before and is better defensively will get signifcantly more than what the Pens gave up for Carter. He is worth two second rounders as a floor I suspect.

A 33 year old Nick Foligno had 16 points in 42 games, and the two years before he had 31 and 35 points. He garnered a 1st round pick and a 4th. I suspect Backlund's numbers will be better than 16 points in 42 games this year. He is another comparable.

The idea that teams cannot get a return for guys in their mid's 30's is refuted by the returns that other teams have received for guys in their mid 30's.

This is specially true for rentals where the age of the player is largely irrelevant, only their current production.

[dustygoon]

Why is he saying this stuff in the press? Angry because he isn't getting a forever offer?

For a guy who was drafted by this team and adopted by this town, he may want to stick a sock in it and keep quiet while Conroy tries to do right by him. Flaunting his dislike for staying kills his trade value and makes it just that much harder to recruit.