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

[Stealth22]

Originally Posted by lifetimefan

Minor deals for bottom 6 pluggers aside, I have no faith in Feaster to avoid getting fleeced in a trade.

That's why we have Burke. Keep in mind, he's the one that sent Sutter a bunch of spare parts for Phaneuf.

No, I'm not equating Backlund to Phaneuf. But at least if Feaster wants to do something stupid, one would think that Burke would stop him...I hope.

[May 25, 1989]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

One the other or both. This is twenty years of failure to produce young players. It's fine to blame the individual players but when the problem is this pronounced the organization has to take a look at itself.

A valid point except Mikael Backlund got in the way of his own development by being unable to stay healthy. Now he is at an age where more is expected of him and he isn't there.

[lifetimefan]

Originally Posted by Stealth22

That's why we have Burke. Keep in mind, he's the one that sent Sutter a bunch of spare parts for Phaneuf.

Um, yeah. No one won that trade.

[Itse]

I was thinking about the same thing actually, trying out Backlund on Colborne's wing. It's pretty close to being the last thing we haven't tried anyway.

[mustache ride]

Originally Posted by Vox

For taking a look at itself, does it count if it hires a new GM, new AGM, new President, new scouts, a new coach, new manager to over see the farm, and a new coach on the farm?

How long has Button been head of scouting?
Do you believe that 20 years of failure is just bad luck?
Can a broken philosophy of drafting and developing young players continue through those changes in personal?

[Vox]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

How long has Button been head of scouting?
Do you believe that 20 years of failure is just bad luck?
Can a broken philosophy of drafting and developing young players continue through those changes in personal?

So all the rest have no impact? Button operated all by himself? Unless he is replaced, all the other changes are meaningless? One man out of many is the single problem, and leaving him in place means they did not look at any issues?

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Wood

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...postcount=3024

This sums it up pretty well

Wow, that was better than midget porn.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

No it would be fair. Nothing extraordinary about it. If a second round pick turns into a Mikael Backlund then that would be extraordinary.

Players who have been traded for a 2nd round pick

Setoguchi
Tyler Kennedy
Leopold (2nd + 5th, thought it was close enough to include)
Kostitsyn (2nd + 5th)
Ben Bishop
Dominic Moore (SJ added a 7th to get the 2nd back)
Cogliano
John Michael-Liles
Brad Boyes
Ian White
Chris Kelly
Grabovski
Rene Bourque
Brad Richardson


That's going back to the '08/09 season. There's maybe one or two players on that list that Backlund would be comparable to. I'd honestly be pretty surprised if we could get a 2nd for him.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Moving Backlund is likely a step in the wrong direction being that he is smart and skilled and young. But until a trade is made, no judgement can be made, really.

I think he has all the tools, but his line mates, lack of power play time, and limited ice in general have lowered his stock and counting stats.

I agree. I'd be sorry to see him go, but I think a change of scenery might be good for him. A couple of years ago I heard one of the "experts" say the Flames had totally screwed up Backlund's early development, and I don't think this year has seen any better use of him by Flames' coaching

[mustache ride]

Originally Posted by Vox

So all the rest have no impact? Button operated all by himself? Unless he is replaced, all the other changes are meaningless? One man out of many is the single problem, and leaving him in place means they did not look at any issues?

I didnt say any of those things. You pointed out the people who have changed and i pointed out the person that hasn't. It's not about fault for me. It's about the failure to draft and develop young players. Either something is wrong in this organization or it's just twenty years of plain old bad luck.

[Super-Rye]

Would not be surprised to see Backlund moved out. At some point a center is going to have to go to make some ice time available for the farm hands. It will either be Backlund or Stajan heading out. (My money is still on Stajan.)

What is surprising is that this is being brought up now. I figure a move would happen closer to the deadline.

[powderjunkie]

First thing that came to my mind was the Wolski for Mueller trade a few years back.

Trevor Lewis, Boedker?

[Calgary4LIfe]

I love Backlund's attitude, speed, defensive plays and his flashes of offence. He hasn't been able to consistently beat out other centers for a spot though. I do think Backlund is one of those 'longer-term' development players who could really start improving (especially when comparing him to other Swedish players apparently).

I am a bit surprised that Feaster is willing to move him at this point, but also not surprised... He is young and does a lot of things really well, and there IS flashes of good offensive ability, but at the same time he just hasn't put it all together yet. In a rebuild, it would make sense to keep him around and just see what he becomes, but it also makes sense to trade anyone away who doesn't fit what this team is building towards - including prospects/young players.

If (or when) he gets traded, I just hope it will be to a team I don't hate. Though he hasn't lived up to what us fans were hoping for, it is really hard to dislike him as a player (for me anyways), and I will wish him the best. I still think he could very well develop into a very good 2nd line center, but with the Flames suddenly finding themselves fairly deep in top 6 or top 9 centers in their prospect depth, I guess he can be expendable.

I would feel much better about him getting traded if Knight was given a good 15 games or so to see how NHL ready he is, and I feel Stajan should be traded ahead of Backlund (this is a rebuild after all). Just hope the return justifies the move. I have no idea where Backlund would rank - teams that employ a lot of emphasis on advanced stats will probably think a lot more highly of him.

I just think the smarter move at this point would be to trade Stajan while his value is probably the highest it has been since the Phaneuf deal, and allow Backlund top-line minutes to at least 'showcase' himself in an effort to drive up the return. I feel right now, Backlund will be traded at a bargain-bin price, even though the Flames I am sure are in no hurry to unload him.

[Vox]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

I didnt say any of those things. You pointed out the people who have changed and i pointed out the person that hasn't. It's not about fault for me. It's about the failure to draft and develop young players. Either something is wrong in this organization or it's just twenty years of plain old bad luck.

But you did imply that the organization has yet to take a look at itself and has yet to change. That is demonstrably false. One person appears to remain with which you take issue. And even on CP there seems to be a sense that the drafting has dramatically improved the last few years, even while that person remains. Though only time will tell if that sense turns out to be accurate.

[kehatch]

Backlund lacks the size or face off ability to be an elite 3C and he lacks the offensive consistency to play in the top 6. He may still yet develop into a top 6 capable player. Unfortunately injury, lockouts, and now a lack of trust from the coaches have derailed his development.

I would prefer the Flames gave him the opportunity to see if he can develop further. But he isn't getting that so you might as well move him while he still has some value. It is the best thing for the player and the team.

[Robo]

How many more opportunities does he need I don't really care if he stays or goes since he's been up I really haven't seen much from him

[Iniggywetrust]

I still think it would be a mistake to trade Backlund. His value is at an all time low, he fills an organizational need, and is still only 24. Unless he is traded for a similarly high touted young defensemen who has struggled in their current situation. Trading Backlund for picks is a step backwards IMO. A second round pick has little chance of becoming what Backlund is and will take at least 3 years.

[mustache ride]

Originally Posted by Vox

But you did imply that the organization has yet to take a look at itself and has yet to change. That is demonstrably false.

Twenty years of failure. That is what i implied and it is the truth

Originally Posted by Vox

One person appears to remain with which you take issue. And even on CP there seems to be a sense that the drafting has dramatically improved the last few years, even while that person remains. Though only time will tell if that sense turns out to be accurate.

Once again i only mentioned Button after you pointed out all the people who have changed. Bottom line is that the organization fails time and time again to draft and develop young players.

[goodyear]

I like Backlund and I do hope he can earn some top 6 minutes still with the Flames.

[Vox]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

Twenty years of failure. That is what i implied and it is the truth



Once again i only mentioned Button after you pointed out all the people who have changed. Bottom line is that the organization fails time and time again to draft and develop young players.

You are avoiding the gist of your original post, which was that the organization has failed to recognize it had a problem. Fine to feel frustrated that there has been lack of success for 20 years, but it seems pretty likely that the organization has recognized and reacted to the problem.