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

[Strange Brew]

When the day comes that the Flames have 4 young centers ready for NHL icetime, then maybe we can talk about Backlund taking up a spot. Right now, every other C on the roster is more replaceable than him IMO.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

I hope we can draft another Backlund in 2026.

You just never know. Here's his pre draft scouting report:

Backlund has above average skating ability, is strong physically and somewhat aggressive. He is also equipped with good hands and hockey sense. His technical skills along with his passes and goal scoring/release ability make him an intriguing prospect. Could, however, work on his defensive game and consistency.

All of that is pretty accurate and then you get to the last line.

I think any centre who has good (but not elite) skill, especially skating, but who has great hockey IQ makes for a good defensive center. You want a guy who can skate well enough to close the caps he anticipates with high IQ. You don't need a big physical presence either.

[Calgary Highlander]

Castagna is probably the closest in the system right now.

Reschny and Stonks have the smarts but their skating is a step behind Backund's at the same age. Potter's a better skater but not as big or physical. Gross is big and fast but doesn't have the same hockey IQ to make defensive reads.

Having said that, if Backlund was able to improve on his deficiencies, at least one of these other players should be able to as well.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

You just never know. Here's his pre draft scouting report:

Backlund has above average skating ability, is strong physically and somewhat aggressive. He is also equipped with good hands and hockey sense. His technical skills along with his passes and goal scoring/release ability make him an intriguing prospect. Could, however, work on his defensive game and consistency.

All of that is pretty accurate and then you get to the last line.

Ha! That last line is funny in retrospect... "Needs to work on these things" when those things are essentially what has allowed him to have an 18 season (and counting) career.

Maybe Alexander Command will slip to our 2nd round pick. He gives me Backlund vibes.

[bdubbs]

I wish there was a tracker for how much total money Backlund has helped his temporary young wingers get just from playing with him / learning from him. To think that he's just 'taking up a roster' spot is asinine.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

Castagna is probably the closest in the system right now.

Reschny and Stonks have the smarts but their skating is a step behind Backund's at the same age. Potter's a better skater but not as big or physical. Gross is big and fast but doesn't have the same hockey IQ to make defensive reads.

Having said that, if Backlund was able to improve on his deficiencies, at least one of these other players should be able to as well.

So I mentioned in another thread.....after the Flames acquired him I reached out to a guy who has been watching players on the East coast for his living for many years. I had never heard of Castagna til that deal happened. So I just asked what he thought.

Took him a couple days to respond but he was pretty adamant that he thinks the kid is going to really transition to pro very well and thinks his upside is a solid #2 C who is reliable in all situations.

From this dude, that is really high praise.

I'm now excited about him and Ive never seen him play!

[topfiverecords]

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.

He's like a top Olineman in football. When they suck your quarterbacks get killed and when they're good it's the QB, RB and WRs that get all the attention.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

He's like a top Olineman in football. When they suck your quarterbacks get killed and when they're good it's the QB, RB and WRs that get all the attention.

Olinemen get huge props nowadays.

They all but destroyed running back values even. For like a decade common thought was you don't need a great running back if your line is good. Some random practice squad guy can get 100 yards behind a good line.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Bingo

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.

It isn't a Backlund dislike, it's this organization hanging onto assets too damn long. They did the same thing with Jarome. They repeatedly work with players when they do want to go to take less to appease the player. Jumping to the conclusion I "dislike" Backlund because the team would be better off moving on is the real insanity here.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

It isn't a Backlund dislike, it's this organization hanging onto assets too damn long. They did the same thing with Jarome. They repeatedly work with players when they do want to go to take less to appease the player. Jumping to the conclusion I "dislike" Backlund because the team would be better off moving on is the real insanity here.

Clearly missing something.

Best place for a young player on this team right now is playing beside Backlund.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by DJones

Clearly missing something.

Best place for a young player on this team right now is playing beside Backlund.

Every response is exactly why this team will never win as long as it keeps the sentimental mindset instead of the what's better for the team mindset. Backlund is another Shame Doan, a guy that chooses familiarity and comfort over a desire to win. That's exactly how people remember Roan and it's how they will remember Backlund too. Is that really the attitude an example you want a captain to show young players? Is it his right, absolutely. Does it show a lack of a desire to succeed and win? Absolutely

[DJones]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Every response is exactly why this team will never win as long as it keeps the sentimental mindset instead of the what's better for the team mindset. Backlund is another Shame Doan, a guy that chooses familiarity and comfort over a desire to win. That's exactly how people remember Roan and it's how they will remember Backlund too. Is that really the attitude an example you want a captain to show young players? Is it his right, absolutely. Does it show a lack of a desire to succeed and win? Absolutely

If all of our players thought and trained like Backlund I would be thrilled

[GioforPM]

Captain or not, Backlund is a guy who brings out the best in young players and teaches them how to succeed as NHLers. He and Doan have very little in common in that.

Last time I looked most guys who go cup hunting (like Iginla) didn't win a cup. Backlund is a smart guy and knows this.

[Mathgod]

I hope Backlund stays a Flame for the rest of his career. He's one of those guys who can mentor young players and teach them to play a solid 200ft game. To me, the value of keeping a lifelong Flame like him outweighs any return we'd get for him in a trade.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Every response is exactly why this team will never win as long as it keeps the sentimental mindset instead of the what's better for the team mindset. Backlund is another Shame Doan, a guy that chooses familiarity and comfort over a desire to win. That's exactly how people remember Roan and it's how they will remember Backlund too. Is that really the attitude an example you want a captain to show young players? Is it his right, absolutely. Does it show a lack of a desire to succeed and win? Absolutely

A ridiculous take, especially after just shipping out an emotionally wrecked Weegar who had 5 years remaining. If that's how anyone chooses to remember Backlund, that's their own mental issue. If Backlund phoned in his effort every night ok sure, he has no desire to win or succeed. But that is not and has never been the case. Claiming Backlund is a bad role model for young players? This is the worst take I've seen on Backlund, ever.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am very surprised that Backlund has been criminally underrated league wide outside this city.


I am downright shocked that there are people in this fanbase that think this way. Rumours of his demise have been exaggerated by about 3 people, and Where R U Chis O'Sullivan is probably the president of that small group. Backlund is still extremely effective right now, and the absolute perfect mentor on the team. I hope he continues to age this gracefully so the Flames can extend him another couple of years so he can play on the 4th line and hopefully this team can win him a cup. Doubt that happens, but hot damn that would be fricken amazing to reward Backlund for not only staying here and his immense contribution to the city off the ice, but also how he has always taken the toughest assignments and never complained. That would be amazing.

[FanSince'01]

I respectfully disagree with the notion that we should trade Backlund at next year's deadline or the year afterwards if Backs wants to stick around.

Unless he directly asks to be traded to a contender to try and win a cup, I think there's something to be said about having a player begin and end his career with us, even if we think that he's blocking the progression of a younger player in a year or two or simply because we're not poised to win anything any time soon.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but AFAIK we've had zero players who have played their entire career with us. None of our greatest players played their entire careers here. I think it would be really f'ing cool if Backlund could be the first to do that and IMO that's more valuable than the 2nd or 3rd round pick we'd likely get for him at the trade deadline at the end of his career.

Backs has earned it and deserves to be the first lifelong Flame and all-time GP leader if he decides he wants that more than a Stanley Cup. If that's how he wants to go out, we should honor that.

[MegaErtz]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

I respectfully disagree with the notion that we should trade Backlund at next year's deadline or the year afterwards if Backs wants to stick around.

Unless he directly asks to be traded to a contender to try and win a cup, I think there's something to be said about having a player begin and end his career with us, even if we think that he's blocking the progression of a younger player in a year or two or simply because we're not poised to win anything any time soon.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but AFAIK we've had zero players who have played their entire career with us. None of our greatest players played their entire careers here. I think it would be really f'ing cool if Backlund could be the first to do that and IMO that's more valuable than the 2nd or 3rd round pick we'd likely get for him at the trade deadline at the end of his career.

Backs has earned it and deserves to be the first lifelong Flame and all-time GP leader if he decides he wants that more than a Stanley Cup. If that's how he wants to go out, we should honor that.

Who cares about meaningless stats like games played? We play to win the Stanley Cup. Iginla is a legend, but at least he had the ambition to get out of Calgary and chase a Cup once he knew it wouldn't happen here.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by MegaErtz

Who cares about meaningless stats like games played? We play to win the Stanley Cup. Iginla is a legend, but at least he had the ambition to get out of Calgary and chase a Cup once he knew it wouldn't happen here.

Backlund might at this point in his career? People's priorities change as they age and he might be at a point where his family and life outside of hockey is more important to him than moving somewhere to chase a Cup (and probably fail to win it, let's be honest).

I'm sure Backs would love to win a cup, but him re-signing here for another 2 years sure seems to suggest that there are other things that are more important to him than that at this stage.

[MegaErtz]

"life outside of hockey is more important to him"

Time to hang up the skates if that is the case. The Calgary Flames are not a retirement club.