[Rumour] Backlund "badly wants" to be Captain of the Flames

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Kidder

Honestly surprised by some of the sentiment here.

Guy just had a career year, has bled red since draft day, and has such a strong desire to capture the cup he’s prepared to do whatever he needs to achieve that (with his preference being to wear the small C and lead this team to victory).

If he’s going to take a discount and re-sign for a few more years, how the heck are you not on board?

I’d be thrilled if Backlund decides to stay and assumes the captaincy.

How do you know he'll take a discount

[Calgary4LIfe]

There is no glaringly obvious candidate, and Backlund is the closest to that. I have zero issues with his trade request - I don't think there is a need to overthink it. Gaudreau left, and Tkachuk made his demands known. Backlund made his request too. Then Tkachuk trade happened, and we all thought that the Flames were better - and Backlund rescinded it. I took his words at face-value during the garbage day presser - wants to in a cup before he retires, and prefers to to that here, but he is not sure about re-signing here as he has only a few years left in his career. That's fair. Wants to win a cup - that's what I want in a captain.


There is no obviously blatant candidate like Iginla was when he took the mantle from Conroy. Giordano was perhaps not as obvious of a candidate, but he certainly did fill those shoes incredibly well. I think Backlund could do the same, but for a shorter time.


I like the shorter time too - gives time for someone to show themselves as the blatantly obvious leader between now and when Backlund retires. Maybe it is an existing player that either needs more time on the team (Weegar), or a bit more time developing/maturing (Andersson), or time to get that weight off his shoulders and start breathing again (Huberdeau), or someone else.


Tanev would make a great choice, but how many more years is he here for? My first place vote goes to Backlund, and then it goes to Lindholm.

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

How do you know he'll take a discount

If he won’t then you need to consider moving on.

But some seem to be suggesting they’re not interested at 3x3. That’s crazy talk to me.

[The Fisher Account]

Too old. Time to turn the page and look to the youth and future

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Too old. Time to turn the page and look to the youth and future

Duehr for mayor Captain

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Too old. Time to turn the page and look to the youth and future

Yah, picking young guys as captains has worked so well in the past for teams like the Greasers (McDoofus at 19+....)

I did find this on Reddit, which I thought interesting, so a bit of everything:

The average age of an NHL captain winning the Stanley Cup is 29.2.

Double checked most things, hopefully no errors.

Year	Team	                Captain	               Age
2006	Carolina Hurricanes	Rod Brind'Amour         35
2007	Anaheim Ducks	        Scott Niedermayer	33
2008	Detroit Red Wings	Nicklas Lidstrom        38
2009	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        21
2010	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        22
2011	Boston Bruins	        Zdeno Chara	        34
2012	Los Angeles Kings	Dustin Brown	        27
2013	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        25
2014	Los Angeles Kings	Dustin Brown	        29
2015	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        27
2016	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        28
2017	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        29
2018	Washington Capitals	Alex Ovechkin	        32
2019	St. Louis Blues	        Alex Pietrangelo        29

[Boreal]

If it comes down to naming a player for retention Lindholm everyday & twice on Sunday over Backlund.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Yah, picking young guys as captains has worked so well in the past for teams like the Greasers (McDoofus at 19+....)

I did find this on Reddit, which I thought interesting, so a bit of everything:

The average age of an NHL captain winning the Stanley Cup is 29.2.

Double checked most things, hopefully no errors.

Year    Team                    Captain                   Age
2006    Carolina Hurricanes    Rod Brind'Amour         35
2007    Anaheim Ducks            Scott Niedermayer    33
2008    Detroit Red Wings    Nicklas Lidstrom        38
2009    Pittsburgh Penguins    Sidney Crosby            21
2010    Chicago Blackhawks    Jonathan Toews            22
2011    Boston Bruins            Zdeno Chara            34
2012    Los Angeles Kings    Dustin Brown            27
2013    Chicago Blackhawks    Jonathan Toews            25
2014    Los Angeles Kings    Dustin Brown            29
2015    Chicago Blackhawks    Jonathan Toews            27
2016    Pittsburgh Penguins    Sidney Crosby            28
2017    Pittsburgh Penguins    Sidney Crosby            29
2018    Washington Capitals    Alex Ovechkin            32
2019    St. Louis Blues            Alex Pietrangelo        29

Save a few most of those were franchise players who were with their original team.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I believe because he's turning 35 a new deal could lean heavily into bonuses, which could offer a different way to approach it.

Only if he's willing to sign one-year deals for the rest of his career.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Yah, picking young guys as captains has worked so well in the past for teams like the Greasers (McDoofus at 19+....)

I did find this on Reddit, which I thought interesting, so a bit of everything:

The average age of an NHL captain winning the Stanley Cup is 29.2.

Double checked most things, hopefully no errors.

Year	Team	                Captain	               Age
2006	Carolina Hurricanes	Rod Brind'Amour         35
2007	Anaheim Ducks	        Scott Niedermayer	33
2008	Detroit Red Wings	Nicklas Lidstrom        38
2009	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        21
2010	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        22
2011	Boston Bruins	        Zdeno Chara	        34
2012	Los Angeles Kings	Dustin Brown	        27
2013	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        25
2014	Los Angeles Kings	Dustin Brown	        29
2015	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        27
2016	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        28
2017	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        29
2018	Washington Capitals	Alex Ovechkin	        32
2019	St. Louis Blues	        Alex Pietrangelo        29

Over the last 11 years , the average age is below 26.

Backlund will be 35 when the Flames could potentially be next in the playoffs.

Not sure why this is particularly relevant, he would’ve be picked for captain based on the Flames winning the SC.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I believe because he's turning 35 a new deal could lean heavily into bonuses, which could offer a different way to approach it.

He’s 34 when the season starts.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Duehr for mayor Captain

Anderson, maybe Weegar.

Do they want to offer an 2 or 3 year deal to an 35 year old player.

There is risk involved

[flambers]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Yah, picking young guys as captains has worked so well in the past for teams like the Greasers (McDoofus at 19+....)

I did find this on Reddit, which I thought interesting, so a bit of everything:

The average age of an NHL captain winning the Stanley Cup is 29.2.

Double checked most things, hopefully no errors.

Year	Team	                Captain	               Age
2006	Carolina Hurricanes	Rod Brind'Amour         35
2007	Anaheim Ducks	        Scott Niedermayer	33
2008	Detroit Red Wings	Nicklas Lidstrom        38
2009	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        21
2010	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        22
2011	Boston Bruins	        Zdeno Chara	        34
2012	Los Angeles Kings	Dustin Brown	        27
2013	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        25
2014	Los Angeles Kings	Dustin Brown	        29
2015	Chicago Blackhawks	Jonathan Toews	        27
2016	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        28
2017	Pittsburgh Penguins	Sidney Crosby	        29
2018	Washington Capitals	Alex Ovechkin	        32
2019	St. Louis Blues	        Alex Pietrangelo        29

Adding in 3 more years.

2020 - Lightning Stamkos - 30
2021 - Lightning - Stamkos - 31
2022 - Avalanche - Landeskog 29

[PuckSlap]

I'm glad the fans don't decide who the captain is. If Backlund was meant to be the captain, then it would have happened by now. Personally, I would rather it be a new up-and -comer. Somebody that has motivation, excitement, a good personality and natural leadership skills.



Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[chummer]

Originally Posted by PuckSlap

I'm glad the fans don't decide who the captain is. If Backlund was meant to be the captain, then it would have happened by now. Personally, I would rather it be a new up-and -comer. Somebody that has motivation, excitement, a good personality and natural leadership skills.



Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

So Backlund.

[PuckSlap]

Originally Posted by chummer

So Backlund.

Yes.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[AustinL_NHL]

As unfortunate as it is because he 100% should've been named Captain 2 offseasons ago, and while I also agree with his thought process, I think he now has to be out the door, barring a team friendly contract.

[mile]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1661926853861597184

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by mile

https://twitter.com/user/status/1661926853861597184

C

honestly this is more important than goals, assists, wins

there I said it

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by dino7c

C

honestly this is more important than goals, assists, wins

there I said it

So Dube for Captain?