The Calgary Flames caused an unexpected issues because they extended Mikael Backlund to an extension of two years, which carries an AAV of $ 3.25 million. The leader of the Flames would be a UFA in 2026, and now he will be in the books until he is 39.
The reaction of the majority of the fan base was somewhat divided. The idea that Backlund is the captain when the flames make their debut in Scotia Place (which is opened for the 2027-28 season) was for many intriguing. At the same time, however, many fans believed that the expansion of Backlund was not necessary at the moment. Today I will discuss some advantages and disadvantages with regard to the expansion of Backlund and my general thoughts about it.
Expand benefits of Backlund
Backlund continues to have a strong presence of leadership
Backlund was planning to withdraw like a flame. He and his family love it in Calgary, and the idea that he had the potential to spend his entire play career to one team was too good to refuse. It is clear that Backlund has also been a large part of the leadership group of the Flames during his experienced years.
He will be the captain when the flames start playing in Scotia Place, something that will mean a lot to him. The rest of the team all sees him as their captain on the ice and in the dressing room. The presence of Backlund will also mean a lot for the young players of the Flames that come up. He will contribute to the preservation of a tight flame group that will offer sufficient leadership and mentorship for the next generation of players.
The middle depth of the Flames has not taken a hit yet
Although it is clear that the flames in the middle need more talent, they have no center perspectives that are immediately available to play. Although Backlund is 36, his presence still offers a meaningful depth in the middle, assuming that it usually used in a bottom-zes role.
Backlund is still defensively strong and can contribute to the score sheet. Although he showed regression last season, he is still useful in a smaller, lower six role. He is also effective in certain special teams situations such as the penalty kill.
Backlund is a smaller role for me. Being a second -line center is excluded for him. It would even be ideal if Backlund the fourth line center of the Flames gets older as it gets older. That said, he can still contribute to the ice and will be able to play in the middle until he has been replaced.
Expand disadvantages of Backlund
The regression of Backlund can get worse
It is normal for a player to experience regression during the backend of his career, and Backlund is no exception. Backlund registered his lowest point total (32 points) since the 2020-21 season, and he is not becoming younger.
The concern is that the flames try to play Backlund in a role that he is no longer capable of. With a lack of Elite Center depth, Backlund can be trusted to play in heavy matchups considering his defensive strengths. ICING A 36-year-old against the best players of another team cannot end well for the flames if they are in that scenario.
If he deteriorates even more, the Flames Backlund can play as their fourth line center. This would be the most ideal to be honest, but $ 3.25 million is still quite a bit of money to pay a fourth lining. Anyway, if Backlund can continue to become a strong center in the third line, then that is great, but a decrease in the quality of playing will certainly happen as Backlund gets closer to 40.
Does a young player have to take his place instead?
As mentioned earlier, the Flames do not yet have prospects available to play Center for the team for the team, so many see Backlund as a good temporary designation for the time being. That said, a player stands out as a potential candidate for the center, and that player is Connor Zary.
We have not seen many games from Zary in the middle, but he was not bad in the small stints he received. Flames -fans hope that the team can play more often as a center, but it now looks like he will be a winger again most of this season.
It is clear that things can change, but I don’t see a scenario in which Zary has surpassed one of the top centers that the flames have surpassed. He does not replace Nazem Kadri and Morgan Frost, but perhaps he had a chance to fight with Backlund for his place. But now stretching with backlund, this seems less likely, unless Zary greatly surpasses him than him. The only real scenario in which I see that Zary gets a long glance at the middle is when an injury occurs, because you don’t place it on the fourth line.
My opinion is that the young boys must have a priority, and Zary really needs a long view of the play center. I see no reason that a regressing backlund should reduce these opportunities, but that is exactly what I think.
Last thoughts
In general, I don’t see the expansion of Backlund as necessary a bad thing, but was it really necessary to be ready now? I feel that it would have been more logical if the team had entered the season to see how it went and then determined the status of Backlund from there. I am aware that his interest in Calgary was very high, but a GM must also look to the future.
We will see what happens, but I am sure that Backlund is more regression as he gets older. At this point in his career, his presence is strong for leadership, but his role on the ice should not be as great as some of the younger players. It is time for the next generation to take the reins.
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