[Signing] Flames sign Backlund to 2 year contract extension ($3.25 mil AAV)

[The Cobra]

It's a nice deal, and even if he regresses, the cap hit won't be an issue. Backlund is underrated here, he does play tough minutes against top opponents.

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

Forever a flame Tillie!

[This post is terrible]

Where ru Chris O’Sullivan must be livid

[Shazam]

Cheap deal, even if he sucks it's nothing.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Oh man, totally day dreaming. But imagine if we have a contention window in 3 years and Backlund gets to go on a playoff run.

Does Backlund become Martin Gelinas or Lanny McDonald?

[Rhett44]

The only captain who will be re signing in Alberta.

[FBI]

So I guess after the next 3 years is when he’s off to the KHL, book it?

[Lewis_D]

I don't hate it, I'm sure some fans would rather see the vets moved to turn another chapter for the direction of the team but Backs has been a great Flame and super involved in the community, I can only assume he's a good captain too as he learned under the best in Iggy.

It'll feel weird when he's not around after he eventually retires, been around majority of my time as a fan. To this day whenever I'm watching a game with my old man he compliments me on my eye for talent (I actually have zero skill in that department), as I use to rave about him when they first drafted him - not because I thought he was some A+ level prospect that would be the next franchise player, but more that he was our first somewhat promising looking draft pick in quite awhile in those days. Anyways, I still just take the credit!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

No problem with having Backlund for 2-3 more seasons. He's a stabilizing presence at center, and lord knows we don't really have a lot of center prospects knocking down the door anytime soon.

From our recent prospect rankings out of the top 20, these are the centers:
2. Reschny
5. Potter
12. Misa
13. Stockselius
14. Kerins
15. Stromgren
19. King

Outside of Reschny and maybe Potter, lot of these guys are still borderline prospects that may or not make the NHL at all (however, King is my darkhorse pick to be the 4th line center out of camp). Some of them may not end up playing center if they do make the NHL. Reschny and Potter will slot higher than Backlund in the center position anyway, so there's really no harm with Backlund sticking around for a couple more years.

I just wanted to point that out before someone complains that he's blocking a spot for a prospect.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1968422392591466771

[dissentowner]

It's a good deal, he is worth having around just to mentor the kids.

[Jetfire]

With the amount of players he's already taught a responsible two way game to in his career, I have absolutely no problem with this. He's such a perfect linemate for any young player to have.

[Goriders]

Great job. More cap space.

[DoubleK]

That's a steal for the Flames. I would have given Backs more than that, he's worth every penny.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/1968422392591466771

Even the guys family speak is world class.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I'm good with this signing.

Worse case scenario is at the tail end he's with the Wranglers, which doesn't really uproot his family.

[CFO]

Fair contract. He will most likely be a 30-40 pony player and maybe less as ice time gets taken away.

At some point he will be part of flames management.

[Locke]

'Tis a good day to rock the Backlund jersey!!!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CFO

Fair contract. He will most likely be a 30-40 pony player and maybe less as ice time gets taken away.

At some point he will be part of flames management.

Thats a lot of Ponies. What kind of ponies are we talking about here?

[Enoch Root]

Great signing - good human, great ambassador for the team, great mentor for young players, good value on the AAV - what's not to like?