[Signing] Backlund signs 2-year, $9 million contract with Flames, named captain

[RWJC]

Calgary Flames Begin Extension Talks With Mikael Backlund

 

The tides seem to be turning in the willingness of the Calgary Flames’ slate of pending UFAs to stay with the team. Just two weeks ago, the team didn’t have any extension talks scheduled with veteran center Mikael Backlund, per his agent, J.P. Barry.

 

Now, TSN’s Chris Johnston reported on Insider Trading Tuesday that the two sides have now commenced extension talks and plan to continue them in the near future.

 

It’s been quite the saga over the past few months between the Flames and their veteran of over 900 NHL games. More recently, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said he believes a potential extension in Calgary for Backlund could be tied to the team’s vacant captaincy. Today’s news could hint at an announcement in turn in the near future. Backlund is entering the final season of a six-year, $32.1MM extension signed in 2018, by far the richest deal of his career. It’s well-documented that Backlund isn’t the only pending free agent center rookie GM Craig Conroy has to worry about – first-line pivot Elias Lindholm is also entering the final season of his bargain-bin deal earning him $4.85MM per season.

 

Backlund also indicated earlier in the offseason that he was inclined to let the season play out a bit to ensure the team was on the right track under new management before considering an extension. Lindholm had indicated something similar, although Backlund now evidently has what he needs from Conroy and new head coach Ryan Huska to work toward an extension before the regular season starts. That doesn’t necessarily mean either are in a rush to get a deal done, though, and extension talks with Backlund could easily last months.

 

Despite the fact he’s set to turn 35 before 2023-24 ends, Backlund’s set himself up well value-wise heading into a contract year. He finished sixth in Selke Trophy voting last season, and his 37 assists were a career-high. He also appeared in all 82 games for the second straight season and the fourth time in his career overall. Because of that, don’t expect much of a discount – in fact, Evolving Hockey projectsBacklund’s extension to carry a significant four-year term and roughly $5.5MM cap hit. That would be a small raise on his current average annual value of $5.35MM, a raise Backlund will likely hold out for, given his higher leverage in negotiations as a UFA.

 

Whether a raise is something Calgary can accommodate with more significant raises due to Backlund and potentially defenseman Noah Hanifin is a different question. CapFriendly projects the Flames with $35.45MM in cap space for 2024-25, assuming the Upper Limit rises to $87.5MM, but that’s with a roster size of just 11 out of a maximum of 23 players.

 

Regardless, this does seem to indicate a more positive trend around the Flames organization in players’ willingness to stay with the team – hopefully a strong indicator of the culture Conroy and Huska have brought to the team in a few short months.

 

September 26th, 2023 at 6:28pm CST • By Josh Erickson

 

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/09/calgary-flames-begin-extension-talks-with-mikael-backlund.html#ref=home

 

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2023 by RWJC

[Trebreh]

8x5 pls

 

 

[Snoop Hogg]

They should just move him. If they don’t, he will sign a ridiculous retirement deal that will suffocate them capwise for 4-5 years. 

[cripplereh]

1 minute ago, Snoop Hogg said:

They should just move him. If they don’t, he will sign a ridiculous retirement deal that will suffocate them capwise for 4-5 years. 

That actually sounds good lol

[Snoop Hogg]

1 minute ago, cripplereh said:

That actually sounds good lol

Good for everyone but the Calgary Flames.

 

Fortunately, some people are immune to good advice.

[cripplereh]

Just now, Snoop Hogg said:

Good for everyone but the Calgary Flames.

 

Fortunately, some people are immune to good advice.

Like me lol

[RWJC]

 

 

[PhillipBlunt]

9 minutes ago, RWJC said:

 

 

Appreciate the updates, @RWJC. 

[Rekker]

4.5 per is fair deal. JB would of went 8 x 8, foundational. 

[Snoop Hogg]

Okay, that is actually a very good deal for both parties. Good job, Conroy.

[AatuD2]

1 hour ago, RWJC said:

 

 

 

Please let it be a 3 year deal for 5 mil/year 

 

[AatuD2]

1 hour ago, Rekker said:

4.5 per is fair deal. JB would of went 8 x 8, foundational. 

4.5 could also look bad if he falls off a cliff this year. 

 

Let's see how his 35 year season looks 

 

[Rekker]

12 minutes ago, AatuD2 said:

4.5 could also look bad if he falls off a cliff this year. 

 

Let's see how his 35 year season looks 

 

I like it. It's only two years for a decent center. I'd be happy if the Canucks signed him for the next two years at 4.5. He's a pain to play against.

 

[WSAcanuck]

That’s a pretty good deal for both sides

[Theo5789]

 

 

[Diamonds]

44 minutes ago, AatuD2 said:

4.5 could also look bad if he falls off a cliff this year. 

 

Let's see how his 35 year season looks 

 

He's a fantastic 2-way player who is coming off his most productive season ever. I don't think there's a risk that he suddenly going to fall off a cliff. And even if he does, it's only 2 years.

[AatuD2]

1 hour ago, Diamonds said:

He's a fantastic 2-way player who is coming off his most productive season ever. I don't think there's a risk that he suddenly going to fall off a cliff. And even if he does, it's only 2 years.

Unfortunately it's only two years, I was hoping that Calgary would have to give up more years. 

[AatuD2]

1 hour ago, Diamonds said:

He's a fantastic 2-way player who is coming off his most productive season ever. I don't think there's a risk that he suddenly going to fall off a cliff. And even if he does, it's only 2 years.

 

Also I just remembered, it's 2 years after this upcoming season... so he will be 36 and 37 in those two years. 

 

Very fair deal for both sides. 

[Johnny]

Calgary is full of old guys

[aGENT]

On 9/26/2023 at 5:43 PM, RWJC said:

Calgary Flames Begin Extension Talks With Mikael Backlund

 

The tides seem to be turning in the willingness of the Calgary Flames’ slate of pending UFAs to stay with the team. Just two weeks ago, the team didn’t have any extension talks scheduled with veteran center Mikael Backlund, per his agent, J.P. Barry.

 

Now, TSN’s Chris Johnston reported on Insider Trading Tuesday that the two sides have now commenced extension talks and plan to continue them in the near future.

 

It’s been quite the saga over the past few months between the Flames and their veteran of over 900 NHL games. More recently, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said he believes a potential extension in Calgary for Backlund could be tied to the team’s vacant captaincy. Today’s news could hint at an announcement in turn in the near future. Backlund is entering the final season of a six-year, $32.1MM extension signed in 2018, by far the richest deal of his career. It’s well-documented that Backlund isn’t the only pending free agent center rookie GM Craig Conroy has to worry about – first-line pivot Elias Lindholm is also entering the final season of his bargain-bin deal earning him $4.85MM per season.

 

Backlund also indicated earlier in the offseason that he was inclined to let the season play out a bit to ensure the team was on the right track under new management before considering an extension. Lindholm had indicated something similar, although Backlund now evidently has what he needs from Conroy and new head coach Ryan Huska to work toward an extension before the regular season starts. That doesn’t necessarily mean either are in a rush to get a deal done, though, and extension talks with Backlund could easily last months.

 

Despite the fact he’s set to turn 35 before 2023-24 ends, Backlund’s set himself up well value-wise heading into a contract year. He finished sixth in Selke Trophy voting last season, and his 37 assists were a career-high. He also appeared in all 82 games for the second straight season and the fourth time in his career overall. Because of that, don’t expect much of a discount – in fact, Evolving Hockey projectsBacklund’s extension to carry a significant four-year term and roughly $5.5MM cap hit. That would be a small raise on his current average annual value of $5.35MM, a raise Backlund will likely hold out for, given his higher leverage in negotiations as a UFA.

 

Whether a raise is something Calgary can accommodate with more significant raises due to Backlund and potentially defenseman Noah Hanifin is a different question. CapFriendly projects the Flames with $35.45MM in cap space for 2024-25, assuming the Upper Limit rises to $87.5MM, but that’s with a roster size of just 11 out of a maximum of 23 players.

 

Regardless, this does seem to indicate a more positive trend around the Flames organization in players’ willingness to stay with the team – hopefully a strong indicator of the culture Conroy and Huska have brought to the team in a few short months.

 

September 26th, 2023 at 6:28pm CST • By Josh Erickson

 

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/09/calgary-flames-begin-extension-talks-with-mikael-backlund.html#ref=home

 

 

 

 

Might want to update that title 

[Miss Korea]

They get Backlund but lose Pelletier

 

[Odjickwillkillyou]

Captain? I mean I guess so. This kind of speaks to their lack up upper end talent on the younger side if you ask me. W

[Kragar]

Bummer, when I read the title, I assumed 9M AAV.

 

Oh well.

[GrammaInTheTub]

Tidy work by Conroy. Schadenfraude be damned - Calgary needed a win