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

[SportsJunky]

Keep the $ and term manageable and I think he makes a great captain for this team.

[Matty81]

Backlund is great, but he'll be 35 when his deal expires next summer. I don't know that it's exactly going to be a free agency derby trying to re-sign him or many teams offering more than 2 years

Also prefer that our next captain be a long term selection but I'd be OK with him being captain for 2 or 3 years.

[dino7c]

If Backlund is willing to sign a reasonable deal I am good with it

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Backlund is awesome and most definitely captain material.

Tell him if you take a 3x3 contract to stay we'll embroider the C on your jersey.

He's still a very good player, but not a lot of bargaining power at 35

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

Makes you wonder what the point of having Lewis and Lucic on the team was then. They should have taken that upon themselves with their relationships and history with the coach to bridge that gap for the team. Heck, add Toffoli in there as well.

I was going to say the same thing. I know it's not the same, but professionally in my line of work, it's a good thing when someone who isn't a leader or a lead steps up to fill a void when there is one. Happens all the time by people with initiative who want to show they are ready. I wouldn't think you need to have a C on you jersey to be the go-between guy between your teammates and the coach. He's the longest serving Flame, if teammates are unhappy, go to Sutter's office and have a chat with him about it.

[Moneyhands23]

3x3 and give him the C

[CroFlames]

He's old and contract is expiring. Love Backs, but no.

The Flames made a mistake when they didn't give it to him when Gio left. Now it's too late, sorry to say.

It needs to go to a younger guy with a bit of term. Weegar, Huberdeau, Andersson.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

He's old and contract is expiring. Love Backs, but no.

The Flames made a mistake when they didn't give it to him when Gio left. Now it's too late, sorry to say.

It needs to go to a younger guy with a bit of term. Weegar, Huberdeau, Andersson.

I think you missed the part where he just put up a career season and out performed Kadri at center handily.

Not the kind of player we should be happy to be rid of IMO

Still the teams best defensive forward and one of the few that consistently shows up against our rivals

The Flames would be notably worse without him.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

I think you missed the part where he just put up a career season and out performed Kadri at center handily.

Not the kind of player we should be happy to be rid of IMO

Still the teams best defensive forward and one of the few that consistently shows up against our rivals

The Flames would be notably worse without him.

I'm pretty tired of walking guys to free agency and getting nothing for them. This club needs a reset and it may as well start now. We should trade him for assets.

[Jiffy Loob]

If the players are on board with it, go for it. The team needs a bloody captain.

[tony-soprano]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

per Friedman in the 32 thoughts podcast at the 8 minute mark:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/

also said at the exit meetings the lack of captain was brought up.

There was no player that felt he could be the buffer [between Sutter and the players].

Backlund wants the role.

If the role is offered to him, it factors into his decision to stay.

Didn't Tkachuk say the same thing?

[Jiggy_12]

Yes please, do it.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Him allegedly standing up to Sutter and having shouting matches with him just further confirms he's the guy for the role.

[traptor]

3x3 and the C would be fair.

If he wants more he doesn't want to be here that bad.

[blankall]

The whole idea of naming players captain just because they've been with the team forever is a bit absurd to me. These guys get paid millions of dollars to play a sport. Their feelings shouldn't be taken into account.

Which players actually lead the dressing room? Love Backlund, but he always seemed like more of a quieter worker type, although probably one of the best workers in the NHL. That being said, I've never been in the Flames dressing room, so who knows.

[GFG#1]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yup.

He can be the captain...but I would want him to take a discount then too.

Honestly even $3M might be too much at age 35.

I would actually like to see a 5 year term with Backlund he would be 39 when it expired.
5
2.5
2
1
1

gets you a cap hit of 2.3 give him a modified NMC clause so if he wants to be moved to a contender he can. The cap hit would make him a good add for just about any contending team at the deadline. Cap hit in year 4/5 is probably a bit much, but still manageable with the way the cap is anticipated to be going. As long as Calgary remains competitive this deal would likely ensure he retires as a Calgary Flame.

[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.

[the-rasta-masta]

I'm also on the Andersson train for Captain. I think he still has another gear and he seems to really care about the team and shows his emotion on the ice. I think he should have been the Flames nominee for the all-star game this year.

[Burning Beard]

No thanks to Backlund as captain. Dude requested a trade twice and now wants to be captain?

Give it to Rasmus or Weegar.

[Coach]

He should have been since Gio left IMO.