[Signing] Flames sign college free agent Tyson Gross to 2 year ELC

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by D as in David

And whatever team picks up next year would have 39-year-old Backlund, too.

But they would have him while he is still a decent third line C as opposed to at the very end of his career. The difference between 37 and 39 in hockey age is huge.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I highly doubt it. His game is starting to fall off as it is, you think anybody is bringing in a 39 year old Backlund to shore up their roster? He is running out of time, it's going to be now or never.

I seriously doubt Backlund is moving. He signed an extension with reason. It wasn't to chase a cup, it was for legacy. If he was all about chasing the cup he would have forced the club's hand and got out this deadline and not signed that two year extension. Backlund is the captain and will be until he decides he no longer wants to play. That no move clause until the 1st of January 2028 pretty much ties the team's hands.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I seriously doubt Backlund is moving. He signed an extension with reason. It wasn't to chase a cup, it was for legacy. If he was all about chasing the cup he would have forced the club's hand and got out this deadline and not signed that two year extension. Backlund is the captain and will be until he decides he no longer wants to play. That no move clause until the 1st of January 2028 pretty much ties the team's hands.

Even more so, he would have gotten out 3 years earlier before his last extension when he really had the chance to go almost anywhere he wanted. He's here for the legacy like you say unless in 2028 they both decide he should go give it a run before he hangs it up.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I highly doubt it. His game is starting to fall off as it is, you think anybody is bringing in a 39 year old Backlund to shore up their roster? He is running out of time, it's going to be now or never.

3rd on the team in points/60 5 on 5
5th on the team in xGA60 (4th for forwards) against toughest matchups

On a 47 point pace that 3rd best season of his career.

Age catches up to everyone, but Backlund is doing a heck of job of out running it.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by #-3

I was talking for next season, they have 30 contracts on the books for next season now.

Also I'm not certain how a CHL draftee who goes to college works? This is the first year, so maybe things changed?

I'm not sure it's fully defined yet. Here's the note on Puckpedia;

"Rules governing sign-by dates for players who moved between Major Junior and NCAA are still to be determined"

Not sure if that's still the case or Puckpedia just hasn't updated that note.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Even more so, he would have gotten out 3 years earlier before his last extension when he really had the chance to go almost anywhere he wanted. He's here for the legacy like you say unless in 2028 they both decide he should go give it a run before he hangs it up.

At minimum he is here until he passes Iggy in career games as a Flame. 88 more to go so not looking like a trade before next year's trade deadline. Can't imagine he would approve a deal less than 10 games away.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

At minimum he is here until he passes Iggy in career games as a Flame. 88 more to go so not looking like a trade before next year's trade deadline. Can't imagine he would approve a deal less than 10 games away.

He's also very close to a few players in points as a Flame. He can pass Gaudreau and Newy easily. He won't catch anyone else but that will make him 4th.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He's also very close to a few players in points as a Flame. He can pass Gaudreau and Newy easily. He won't catch anyone else but that will make him 4th.

Yeah, when his career is over he will likely be 1st in GP, 4th in Goals, Assists, and Points. Crazy.

Once father time continues his winning streak and Backs has to hang them up I hope there is a spot for him somewhere in the organization.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I seriously doubt Backlund is moving. He signed an extension with reason. It wasn't to chase a cup, it was for legacy. If he was all about chasing the cup he would have forced the club's hand and got out this deadline and not signed that two year extension. Backlund is the captain and will be until he decides he no longer wants to play. That no move clause until the 1st of January 2028 pretty much ties the team's hands.

We will see. One of the problems of this franchise is they are too nice when it comes to players. If he doesn't want to go before trade deadline in a few years you trade him 100% at that deadline. We are not winning anything in the near future, he is just taking up a roster spot a young player could be developing in. The Flames brass should be pushing him to go this offseason. It's a business and we all appreciate what Backlund has done for the Flames and the city but it's time to go.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

We will see. One of the problems of this franchise is they are too nice when it comes to players. If he doesn't want to go before trade deadline in a few years you trade him 100% at that deadline. We are not winning anything in the near future, he is just taking up a roster spot a young player could be developing in. The Flames brass should be pushing him to go this offseason. It's a business and we all appreciate what Backlund has done for the Flames and the city but it's time to go.

Taking up a roster spot.

For one of the team's best players, and certainly the best veteran this team has seen for developing young players.

And that's completely ignoring any intangibles off the ice which I think we can all assume are impactful.

Your Backlund dislike is insane.

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by Bingo

3rd on the team in points/60 5 on 5
5th on the team in xGA60 (4th for forwards) against toughest matchups

On a 47 point pace that 3rd best season of his career.

Age catches up to everyone, but Backlund is doing a heck of job of out running it.

The amount Backlund gets overlooked but this forum (and more so on social media) is insane.

Dude plays the toughest minutes of all forwards, with typically zero or very little PP time, yet still puts up solid numbers year after year.

He's also one of the Flames only forwards that actually makes his linemates consistently better. And he's played a key roll in the development of many of our young forwards by having these kids stapled to his line.

I really hope he plays his entire career with the Flames.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

We will see. One of the problems of this franchise is they are too nice when it comes to players. If he doesn't want to go before trade deadline in a few years you trade him 100% at that deadline. We are not winning anything in the near future, he is just taking up a roster spot a young player could be developing in. The Flames brass should be pushing him to go this offseason. It's a business and we all appreciate what Backlund has done for the Flames and the city but it's time to go.

Unlike button.

I couldn't disagree more. Watching Hughes last night should make anyone realize how important strong leadership is. That guy left me about as unimpresed with a captain as I could be. Pouty, no effort, just brutal. Maybe it was a bad game, I don't watch enough Devils. I do watch enough Flames to know that Backlund has never behaved that way. If Backlund wants to Captain this team to the end of his term, the Flames and their fans should be thrilled.

[Enoch Root]

Our captain is 'taking up a roster spot'. What an ass he is!

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

he is just taking up a roster spot a young player could be developing in.

How is a young player going to develop in the NHL when he's getting caved in every shift?


Never go full Oilers.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by paley01

According to chatgpt, the #3 ranked unsigned free agent NCAA player has about the same chance as a late first rounder (18-25) of becoming a first line player (15-20%) or NHL regular (40-50%).

We found Huska's burner account.

[GioforPM]

Not every spot on a rebuilding team can or should go to a younger player. It's not a good recipe.

Every younger guy who's developed well has played with Backlund, and looked good doing it. Then if they get removed from him too early, or never get a chance with him, odds are they regress or don't develop as quickly. Tkachuk, Bennett, Coronato, Honzek, Mangiapane, all did well with Backlund.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by rohara66

The amount Backlund gets overlooked but this forum (and more so on social media) is insane.

Dude plays the toughest minutes of all forwards, with typically zero or very little PP time, yet still puts up solid numbers year after year.

He's also one of the Flames only forwards that actually makes his linemates consistently better. And he's played a key roll in the development of many of our young forwards by having these kids stapled to his line.

I really hope he plays his entire career with the Flames.

I've spoken with hardcore flames fans who believe Backlund wouldn't be able to crack the 4th line on a playoff team. Some fans just don't know crap about hockey.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

I've spoken with hardcore flames fans who believe Backlund wouldn't be able to crack the 4th line on a playoff team. Some fans just don't know crap about hockey.

Or they have a blindspot for the dirty areas ... only see the attack and offence and don't see the prevention and transition.

Not as sexy for sure so I get it to a degree.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

I've spoken with hardcore flames fans who believe Backlund wouldn't be able to crack the 4th line on a playoff team. Some fans just don't know crap about hockey.

Neither does the Swedish Olympic team management. No doubt in my mind that Backlund would have improved that team's chances to medal.

[Calgary Highlander]

I hope we can draft another Backlund in 2026.