[Francis - Rumour/Speculation] Expect next Captain to be Rasmus Andersson

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Ferarri

Can’t go wrong with either Backlund or Ras. Obviously given the contract situation with Backlund and as of yet not signing a long term deal limits his chances. Personally it sounds like the group really sees him as the ideal choice but you can’t take the risk if he wants out.

What strikes me as odd is that Huberdeau isn’t in the conversation. He’s getting paid to be the face of the franchise. Haven’t followed the thread closely but is there a reason why his name is being mentioned? Does he not want it or are other factors at play? With that contract it seems odd that this wouldn’t be a guy they want to invest in and put the C on.

IMO there are 2 reasons he isn't in the conversation. He struggled to produce, and the main reason both Huberdeau and Huska mentioned was mental. He simply put too much pressure on himself to produce. Being a captain adds even more pressure on a guy that needs to bring his A game so the Flames can have success.

The 2nd reason is that he has only been with the team for a year. He has shown leadership with the young guys, taking Pelts and MacKey to dinner etc. But I don't think he has shown enough on the ice to earn the respect of the vets. I'm not sure if he fully bought in Sutter's system last year, and how big of a part his displeasure with Sutter played into the sacking of the coach.

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

He is going to have to take a large pay cut, I don't see that coming off a career year. If he will sign for half of what he is currently making then ok, but if he wants the money he is making now and he probably will the Flames are better off walking away.

It's not about the money, its about the package. Most players want fair pay, a nice environment and a chance to win. I think after the year the flames had last year, it's reasonable for guys like Hanifin, Lindholm and Backlund to think "wow if this huby guy sucks as much as he did last year, this team is going no where," so they might as well head for greener pastures since the chance of winning in Calgary would be 0%.

If Huby comes storming out of the gates looking like a rock-star, I wouldn't be surprised if all three guys are locked up by Christmas at reasonable rates.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

It's not about the money, its about the package. Most players want fair pay, a nice environment and a chance to win. I think after the year the flames had last year, it's reasonable for guys like Hanifin, Lindholm and Backlund to think "wow if this huby guy sucks as much as he did last year, this team is going no where," so they might as well head for greener pastures since the chance of winning in Calgary would be 0%.

If Huby comes storming out of the gates looking like a rock-star, I wouldn't be surprised if all three guys are locked up by Christmas at reasonable rates.

I don’t know that it is all about Huberdeau. He’s a skilled player that is capable of putting up points but not a player the team needs to revolve around IMO.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

It's not about the money, its about the package. Most players want fair pay, a nice environment and a chance to win. I think after the year the flames had last year, it's reasonable for guys like Hanifin, Lindholm and Backlund to think "wow if this huby guy sucks as much as he did last year, this team is going no where," so they might as well head for greener pastures since the chance of winning in Calgary would be 0%.

If Huby comes storming out of the gates looking like a rock-star, I wouldn't be surprised if all three guys are locked up by Christmas at reasonable rates.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Hilarious to think 3 players would base their entire decision to come back not about money just fair pay but because Huberdeau had his season sewered by the same coach 2 of them wanted gone anyways.

Lindholm sounds like a money thing and Hanifin is likely money as well. I would think Backs is going to come down to money as well as he is a prime candidate to be offered a deal with a paycut to finish his career in 1 spot.

[GullFoss]

Okay Paulie. Let me paraphrase.

I assume these players want to see if the team sucks as much as it did last year. If the flames do suck, its confirmation the team's core is largely composed of post-apex players incapable of making the playoffs. In that scenario, the writing is on the wall that the team is going no where for a long time. And that's something that few veteran players would want to be a part of.

If on the other hand, the team is highly competitive, I think all three players would be substantially more likely to sign extensions here.

[jayswin]

^^^^

Could we even sign all three of Lindholm, Backlund and Hanafin if they wanted to sign here?

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Came in expecting this left happy.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Man was I wrong about Rasmus as a prospect.
Dead. Wrong.

Not just you but alot of us. I remember as a lrospect heading into his penticton days his fitness and dedication ( at the time ) was in judgement. To be fair AT THE TIME he asnt even close to gameday shape .wasn't

From fatimuss Sandwichson to possibly captian. tell me that back then .....

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by jayswin

^^^^

Could we even sign all three of Lindholm, Backlund and Hanafin if they wanted to sign here?

Not without someone taking a hometown discount.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Locke

Uhh...I dont know about that.

I mean, I was wrong about him as well, but a lot of that had to do with his conditioning. He consistently came into Camp overweight, to the point where we dubbed him 'Fatmus Andersson.'

Something changed. Something clicked in him and he just changed.

And now he's kicking ass and taking names!

Actually was "Fatmus sandwichson" don't cancel me but back then it was. He just never showed up ready. A switch got flipped at some point.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Actually was "Fatmus sandwichson" don't cancel me but back then it was. He just never showed up ready. A switch got flipped at some point.

I've already been corrected for forgetting the 'Sandwhichsson' part.

But yes, you're right.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Locke

Uhh...I dont know about that.

I mean, I was wrong about him as well, but a lot of that had to do with his conditioning. He consistently came into Camp overweight, to the point where we dubbed him 'Fatmus Andersson.'

Something changed. Something clicked in him and he just changed.

And now he's kicking ass and taking names!

Originally Posted by Locke

I've already been corrected for forgetting the 'Sandwhichsson' part.

But yes, you're right.

Sorry. Bought my first home this summer. I don't have the free time I use to have stalking here lol actually don't have alot of time to do anything other than work and home lol we also Got a 10 month old akbash puppy 4 weeks ago. Not exactly a small "puppy at 100lbs" (and growing) . And the wife's now baby crazy... life's wild.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Sorry. Bought my first home this summer. I don't have the free time I use to have stalking here lol actually don't have alot of time to do anything other than work and home lol we also Got a 10 month old akbash puppy 4 weeks ago. Not exactly a small "puppy at 100lbs" (and growing) . And the wife's now baby crazy... life's wild.

Yeah...and I'm battling insomnia at the moment. Life sucks, then you die.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I’m all for Raz getting the C to start a new “regime” but as long as Backs is still here it almost gotten awkward feeling at this point.

I agree in a way. They missed the boat 2 years ago in my opinion. Should have named him beginning of the 2021-22 season or before the Dallas series.

But, then look at Brown in LA, Thornton AND Marleau in SJ, Wheeler in WPG. Those are more awkward situations since they actually removed the C and kept the players

[metroneck]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Actually was "Fatmus sandwichson" don't cancel me but back then it was. He just never showed up ready. A switch got flipped at some point.

Love me some #4, but the original Fatmus Sandwichson comment is probably the funniest thing ever posted on this site.

[gvitaly]

It seems the Huberdeau train is gaining some steam in the captain discussion. Apparently he has been doing captain like stuff all off season. That includes reaching out to young and new players, helping plan team events etc. Also he apparently worked his ass off in the offseason, so he can lead by example on the ice, and is highly regarded by management.

Personally I think that Weegar, Andersson, and Backlund are better options, but I'm mostly basing it on last season.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah...and I'm battling insomnia at the moment. Life sucks, then you die.

Don't forget to pay your taxes.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

The Athletic did a player poll. Not really a poll as it was just a few on media day, but whatever.

Andersson was the number 2 trash talker behind Marchand. Better still was this quote, about the best road dressing rooms

One player who considered voting for Edmonton but picked another room instead was Flames rival Andersson: “Out of principle, I can’t credit Edmonton for anything.”

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

One player who considered voting for Edmonton but picked another room instead was Flames rival Andersson: “Out of principle, I can’t credit Edmonton for anything.”

Give him the C now!