[Rumour] Mikael Backlund requested trade last Summer

[Ferarri]

Fun times being a Flames fan. At this point in his career he deserves an opportunity to chase the cup. You hope that's the primary desire of wanting out but taking this season into consideration there is obviously major issues behind the scenes. What a train wreck of a season that thankfully ends soon.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Lindy gets the best return.

Backlund rescinding the trade request is being ignored by everyone. So the last word on it is he wanted to be here (likely after he saw the team still trying to succeed). He ended up having a great year. I'd love him to stay but only on a short-mid term deal and at roughly what he makes now.

He wanted to be here but it's not out of the question he wants out too.

If he took a home town discount on his next deal, sure keep him. But it's sounding like that probably isn't going to happen as he's ok with leaving too.

Lindholm is a better player to build around for the future. Trade Backlund and retain salary and you can get quite a bit IMO.

Might be able to convince a team like Arizona to retain some salary too.

If you retain salary and get a big return on Backlund and keep Lindholm you are way better off. Assuming Linghom wants to stay after trading Backlund. Could see both gone and all the UFAs gone if you start moving them out.

I would not be surprised all 6 UFAs don't re-sign this off season.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Lindholm only played like he wanted to leave town....

Flames should consider trading Lindholm to the Jackets for a future first and a prospect. This way there is chance we get a high pick. I bet that's is a destination Lindholm would want ro go, and then you have Johnny encouraging Columbus to make it happen.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

Flames should consider trading Lindholm to the Jackets for a future first and a prospect. This way there is chance we get a high pick. I bet that's is a destination Lindholm would want ro go, and then you have Johnny encouraging Columbus to make it happen.

Odds are Columbus will lottery protect their 2024 1st. Trading with a team like Columbus who added Gaudreau, likely to get an elite prospect in 2023 draft and adds Lindholm probably isn't the way to go to try to get a top pick.

I'd target a team like Pittsburgh or Washington for 2025 draft. Teams that are trying to hang on to winning now but likely on the verge of a rebuild.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

Flames should consider trading Lindholm to the Jackets for a future first and a prospect. This way there is chance we get a high pick. I bet that's is a destination Lindholm would want ro go, and then you have Johnny encouraging Columbus to make it happen.

Columbus will be acquiring Noah Hanifin, thank you very much.

2023 1st round pick (LAK) + 2023 2nd round pick (CBJ) + Prospect.



Also, after Columbus gets Bedard or Fantilli, they aren't going to be a bad team for a long, long time.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I doubt it was "wants to win" (if that means get a Cup) so much as "with two years on the contract left not in the mood for a fire sale rebuild around me". Not good for the last contract either.

Cup chasing is a fools game. Ask Jarome.

Or you could ask Ray Bourque.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Bonded

The Flames would have to take back a cap dump to move anyone with term on them at the deadline. The teams that can afford Backlund and the ones that he would waive for are probably slim.

It is probably a good thing that there are 21 teams the Flames can trade him to where he does not have a say then, expands the options.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

Flames should consider trading Lindholm to the Jackets for a future first and a prospect. This way there is chance we get a high pick. I bet that's is a destination Lindholm would want ro go, and then you have Johnny encouraging Columbus to make it happen.

ahahahahahah ok

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Or you could ask Ray Bourque.

Or Rob Blake. Or Jeff Carter.

Ron Francis?

Lots of guys have won the Cup later in the career. Andreychuk. List goes on. Mark Recchi. Even our own Blake Coleman.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

It is probably a good thing that there are 21 teams the Flames can trade him to where he does not have a say then, expands the options.

I always find this funny.

Backlund is our best player we need to keep him

Trade him...but nobody will want him and we will get nothing.

Backlund would be a very good add for a lot of teams. Flames do a 1 year rebuild we can retain salary. I think 21 teams that we could move him to, there is likely 5 or more good fits to make a deal without retaining salary.

[topfiverecords]

Craig Conroy’s phone is blowing up. All other GMs are asking two questions.
1. “Is there a possibility Backlund will be on the market? We want in.”
2. “What’s the name of the GM we’ll be dealing with?”

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I always find this funny.

Backlund is our best player we need to keep him

Trade him...but nobody will want him and we will get nothing.

Backlund would be a very good add for a lot of teams. Flames do a 1 year rebuild we can retain salary. I think 21 teams that we could move him to, there is likely 5 or more good fits to make a deal without retaining salary.

If the Flames were going to try to move an elite defensive center, who is also a top PKer in the league and gets you 40-50 points a year and he makes 5.35 for next year they could move that guy for a good package. If they decided to retain any amount that would increase the value of the package and likely increase the number of teams interested.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Or Rob Blake. Or Jeff Carter.

Ron Francis?

Lots of guys have won the Cup later in the career. Andreychuk. List goes on. Mark Recchi. Even our own Blake Coleman.

Bourque is an example of someone who left their longstanding team purposely to get a cup. And it worked (though it looked like he blew it the first year).

But the others aren’t the same example. Blake got traded because he was a pending UFA and his teams was rebuilding. Carter had been traded from Philly to Columbus and pouted his way off the team. I don’t think either picked their team, though I could be wrong about Blake.

[Mr.Coffee]

Backlund could command a return and is deeply respected league wide, and for good reason. Wasn’t it Crosby that said Backlund was the most underrated center he played against and always a huge challenge to play against? That is some insane praise.

If Backlund wants out, you do it for him. Guy has bled Flames red his whole life and put in tremendous effort over the years. Gotta respect his wishes. Whatever he wants, really.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Also, after Columbus gets Bedard or Fantilli, they aren't going to be a bad team for a long, long time.

I really hope a team like Columbus gets him. Or Arizona. These perennial bottom feeders do no good for the league.


Who I don't want to see get Bedard:


Chicago
Montreal
Vancouver

[Paulie Walnuts]

What does Backlund return?

What are some good prospects that fit what we are missing?

[TheSquatch]

Thinking about this, I can imagine a scenario where Backlund has skated on a Captain-less team for a couple years, and is thinking "Wow, what the hell would I have to do to be named Captain around here?" And maybe he's pissed off and wants out. Wouldn't blame him if so.

And maybe it's time... love Backlund and what he's brought game after game for years. BUT. He's also a sort of one-player microcosm of the Flames, year after year. Good effort, no finish, and the occasional game-altering brain fart. Maybe, in a sense, Backlund is just what's wrong with the Flames, we have too many Backlunds, as it were.

And I love the guy, want him on my team for sure, this isn't to say he's junk at all, but he is what he is, and what he is is.... kind of a reflection of the whole team this year.

[nieuwy-89]

Tough time to be a Flames fan. From the high of a Game 7 OT winner, to the low of losing to the Oilers, losing our top 2 players, missing the playoffs, and now the gossip and drama that will swirl until the team is respectable again.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

Tough time to be a Flames fan. From the high of a Game 7 OT winner, to the low of losing to the Oilers, losing our top 2 players, missing the playoffs, and now the gossip and drama that will swirl until the team is respectable again.

I think it’s exciting, personally, that hopefully this team is finally being forced to do the right thing- hopefully.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Bourque is an example of someone who left their longstanding team purposely to get a cup. And it worked (though it looked like he blew it the first year).

But the others aren’t the same example. Blake got traded because he was a pending UFA and his teams was rebuilding. Carter had been traded from Philly to Columbus and pouted his way off the team. I don’t think either picked their team, though I could be wrong about Blake.

“Picking his team” isn’t the topic I was discussing. It’s about getting traded to or signing with a contender. It has worked out for lots and lots of players later in their career. And many others that didn’t of course.