[Speculation] Colorado Avalanche Had Interest In Mikael Backlund

[RWJC]

Colorado Avalanche Had Interest In Mikael Backlund

September 19th, 2023 at 7:58pm CST • By Josh Erickson

The Colorado Avalanche contacted the Calgary Flames about trading for veteran two-way center Mikael Backlund earlier this summer, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported in his 32 Thoughts written column Tuesday.

Friedman notes these discussions took place before Colorado eventually filled their center vacancies by acquiring Ryan Johansen and the rights to Ross Colton in trades with the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively. Colorado was in need of center depth after it became apparent they weren’t going to keep J.T. Compher, who filled in at second-line center after Nazem Kadri departed during the 2022 free agency period. Compher would sign a rather rich five-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1.
 

The Flames were likely less open to moving Backlund at the time than they might be now. This was before Backlund said in multiple interviews that his willingness to re-sign with the only NHL organization he’s ever known was contingent on the team’s success this season. He’s just one of many high-end pending UFAs on the Flames roster, a list that also notably includes Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholmand Chris Tanev.

Backlund, while he’ll be 35 before next season ends, can still shoulder second-line minutes and would’ve been an ideal fit on a team with as much high-end wing depth in the top six as Colorado. He would’ve gotten to play with at least one out of a pair of extremely formidable two-way wingers in Artturi Lehkonenand Valeri Nichushkin, potentially forming one of the deadliest dual-threat trios in the league. However, his stock is at an all-time high after registering a career-high 56 points last season and averaging over 18 minutes per game. For comparison, they acquired Johansen and Colton for a combined return of the signing rights to Alex Galchenyuk and a second-round pick – it likely would’ve cost much more to pry Backlund away from Calgary.
 

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/09/colorado-avalanche-had-interest-in-mikael-backlund.html#ref=home

[Snoop Hogg]

Depending on the asking price, I would be interested in him. It could let Miller go back to the wing. 

[JeremyCuddles]

1 hour ago, Snoop Hogg said:

Depending on the asking price, I would be interested in him. It could let Miller go back to the wing. 

We don't have a '24 second rounder or a '25 third rounder. Moving another 2nd or even a 1st rounder for Backlund is not ideal. At 35 years old, I say hard pass. No where near our age window. 28ish or young should be our targets. Unless we can get Backlund for New Jersey's 4th rounder and some nothing prospect. And even then, at 34 it's just not worth it for us.

Edited September 20, 2023 by JeremyCuddles