Hopefully the team finds a way to keep him around. That being said, I don’t blame him one bit.
#Flames forward Mikael Backlund was asked about re-signing this summer.
“I’m 34 years old. I want to win the Stanley Cup. I don’t know this summer what’s going to happen, if they offer me anything."
He suggested he’d like to see how things play out this summer.
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) April 14, 2023
by DemonousXodus
43 Comments
Didnt sound like Tanev and Lindholm really wanted to either. Pain.
The next few seasons are going to be extremely painful if we don’t get somebody new behind the bench. Those interviews were misery inducing
God this is why I wish we didn’t re-sign Huberdeau or sign Kadri.
Imagine the haul we get for Huberdeau at the deadline and Lindholm, Backlund, Tanev, Toffoli, Zadorov this offseason/next deadline.
Yea we’d be rebuilding but could get a huge jumpstart with all those assets
Trade him. His value is at an all time high and it’s clear he’s likely walking next summer
I’d be hesitant to resign Backlund. He’ll be 35 next year and its not out of the realm to expect a drop off, same with Tanev. Lindholms going to wait to see if we’re actually good next year.
On the flip side, Toff said he did and would do so this season if they made an offer.
I mean Backs and Lindy’s comments both sound like “If there’s change here that I’d like to see, then I’ll consider it”, which makes sense given what we know about the team.
Murray, you tax-sheltered, money-vault diving mallard, pay for a good coach who understands the game and isn’t an asshole to players. It’s what your nephews, Huby, Dube, and Lewis want from you.
This, coupled with Lindholm’s cold response, at least in my eyes, needs to be the opening we need to start a re-something.
This organization is always doing 1 useless tweak after another, as if we’re always just on the cusp. This season has shown us we’re not as close as we want to be.
A new coach with nothing else would be a very “Flames” move.
There’s no way that moves the needle enough.
Backlund wants out, Lindholm wants out? Move. The. Needle.
So both Lindholm & Backlund, the top two centres on the team, have indicated they aren’t keen on re-signing, at least under the current circumstances. Basically seems like the Flames are getting a second chance to rebuild after failing to do that last year.
Guess it’ll depend on when/if they change coaches. If the players still aren’t interested in re-signing, then the really won’t have a choice.
Hanifin seemed pretty open to the idea of extending. Lucic sounds done.
Of course he isn’t. This doesn’t mean anything one way or the other. If the Flames are competing, he’ll stay. If they aren’t, he’ll leave. That just makes sense, no?
I don’t take much stock in what players say a couple days after the season ends. It sucks to lose and these guys are competitors. I’d take any comments with a grain of salt.
Honestly, backs deserves better. Been a warrior here so long and deserves a shot at the cup. His value is super high rn, and if we can deal him in the off season to a contender, it might be the best for everyone, shitty tho it may b
A 3rd line Centre on non playoff team, I love Backlund but if he is looking for a raise and a long term contract I’m ok with seeing him go. He has been one of the best 200ft players in the league for the past few years but he’s getting older. Trade return would be great value.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuck
I think time to trade Backlund. High Value and I think we can get some young guys for him that can help out this or next year.
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He was my fav flame ever and finally got his jersey, but id love him to win a cup if it means else wear.
P A I N
I don’t blame any of the players having second thoughts about the organization honestly.
We are stuck between a rock and a hard place, it seems like a major shake up is needed but it’s unfortunate we are going to lose some amazing players in the process.
I would be sad if he left. But good on him. As this year was a dumpster fire!! Sutter needs to go!
He asked for a trade mid season. I think they need a big change behind the scenes to change these guys minds.
I’m down for this entire team to be just thrown in the garbage and started again from scratch. I was hoping that’s what we were going to do once Johnny didn’t re-sign. Even when we got Huberdeau and Weegar I was praying we were going to flip them for a million first round picks.
It was the perfect year to do it, esp with Bedard being available.
Welp I guess that makes things pretty clear; either trade everyone we can and start the rebuild at the draft, or fire Sutter and see how the team does in the first half of next year. If they falter, then trade everyone.
please don’t trade my boi :'(
> Backlund: “I’ve only been in the second round here. The year we had this year, it’s frustrating, for sure.”
> “We’ll see what happens…The year we had, I’m 34 years old. I wanna win the Stanley Cup.”
Gonna be real sad to see him leave but I get it. Really hope he can win a cup at some point. It should have happened here.
In all honesty, Backs does deserve more/better. Won’t blame him if he leaves, one hell of a stability player!
I hope he doesn’t re-sign and finds another contender team, it’s clear he’s pretty convinced this team in its current state won’t be a contender next season.
Better to trade him for some good young players and start a partial rebuild. The team could get an absolute haul for Backlund, Lindholm & Toffoli
Steinberg has said numerous times in the last few months that the Flames are uncertain about Lindholm’s desire to re-sign here.
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I think we’ve seen Lindy and Backlund’s final games as Flames. Hell of thing. This off-season should be interesting.
Barn burner was talking about how there are rumblings that the players in their exit meetings are more or less going to give ultimatums regarding Sutter.
As tough as it is to trade them. It’s sometimes better to just do the hard thing.
Both can get you great returns. And I’m not think draft picks but prospects ready to be NHLers or young players in general.
I think if we can trade both of them, then it’ll avoid having any sorta rebuild. The pieces we get can let us slowly do a Dallas Stars turn around. We have young pieces and a good supporting cast.
Every nhl player has the goal of winning the Stanley cup. Tbh backlund would be better off going to a contender as painful as that would be
If Sutter is the coach behind the bench come next season then it’s over.
Lindholm look says it all, time to move on from him!
The franchise is undergoing a rough transition brought on by the betrayal of Johnny and Chucky, the disintegration of Sean Monahan and the thieving of Mark Giordano. The core of our identity and leadership was ripped from us. Treliving did his damnedest to keep the ship afloat. One season in it’s unclear if he’s been successful. So I don’t blame guys for feeling uncertain about committing to the current situation.
That said, it isn’t clear if Tree has been unsuccessful either. I’m among those who think that there’s lots of reasons to be optimistic for next season and that a bounceback is in the offing even with minimal changes to the lineup. Tree will do his best this summer to set us up for success. If the optimistic outlook comes to pass then I be they will reup during the season.
Sutter will be on a short leash. If the team isn’t looking good come November-December the team will play the coaching card. And that has a good chance of changing the equation.
If we still aren’t looking good come January-February, then guess what it’s fire sale time anyway and time to cash in on Hanafin, Tanev, Backlund and Lindholm anyway. Those guys could return a very strong haul of futures to speed us through a rebuild phase.
This season is do or die for the team. I think they’re going to “do” rather than “die” but time will tell. At least taking the futures route doesn’t seem so unappealing.
As for Backlund himself what absolutely kills me the most about this is that we could be robbed again of getting a second player to play 1,000 games as a Flame. Gio’s tenure ended at 949. Backlund’s will probably end somewhere between and 950-990 if he’s not back.
Edit: if Tree is canned, then well, we skip to the rebuilt part and hope that they hire on a competent builder.
I wouldn’t if I were him. Hope he does, but I sure as shit wouldnt
Ultimately, the team isn’t going to be able to keep both Backlund and Lindholm unless they take discounts. Both have high trade value right now and both seem disheartened. I feel like Backs took a major hit not being named Captain and rightfully so.
Man, if we lose Backlund I will be absolutely gutted. He’s been my favourite player going on a decade now. Critically underrated both around the league and by the fanbase. The dude provides the kind of structure and stability that you only notice once its gone.
I really hoped he’d spend his whole career with us.
This is class. And exactly why I lost respect for JG.
If he wants to win a cup. Then he won’t resign. Calgary is no where near cup contention status.
Too good to finish in the bottom six. Not good enough to be a cup contender
Unfortunately there is to timeline for grief
Good riddens…. go try and be a passenger on a cup contender cause your obviously not a catalyst. Many A’ GOAT nights over the years backs. Don’t listen to Eric Francis too much I noticed he beats your drum often and no one really respects Francis.
He’s one of the last player on this team I call a true Flame. If he left too, I’ll be heartbroken. One of my favourite players.
I completely agree. An owner who is more engaged rather than just using the team as a cash cow would be nice. Also we are doing a better job drafting too and that will help.
Whelp I guess we tank
If backs wants to sign with a real contender he might have to give a discount. Is he really willing to give up several million dollars ? But ya, who knows how things will turn out