[EXTENDED] Mikael Backlund $4.5 x 2

[pmorrow]

Not official, but closing in on a deal.

There has been some chatter he'll get the C too.

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/st...NWHtg5T-Q&s=19

[PicklePickle]

Can you put the C in the contract?

[pmorrow]

Dreger saying it's a two year deal. Very surprised, I thought Backlund was going to lean on Calgary to get term.

[RizzeeDizzee]

Not who I'd picture as wearing the C, especially since he's a UFA in 2025. But then again, who else would it be realistically? Hanifin and Lindholm are UFAs in 2024, along with MANY other Flames players, and Kadri and Hubs haven't been there long enough.

[pmorrow]

Rasmus Andersson was rumoured to be in the mix for the C this summer.

[metaldude26]

What a steal for the Flames. Was kind of hoping they'd drop the ball on this.

[The Comish]

What a steal for the Flames. Was kind of hoping they'd drop the ball on this.

Ditto (says this fellow Oiler fan). I really like Backlund as a player.

[2014olympicgold]

Crazy what taking a few months to cool down can do.

I 100% believe the captaincy was given to him as a way to try and get him to stay in a way that was on the levels of mom-guilt-trip. "We truly believe you're the leader of this team to the point of captain material. You've been here for so long, we'd love to have you finish your career as the captain. We hope you don't leave".

Getting the captaincy to a Canadian team that drafted you at 34yrs old is def something that would matter to some. To end the contract at 37yrs old...it could be a dud, but he's done everything for the team since 2008, so it's a deal you need to make.

[Axeman33]

I dont expect this contract to end like a dud as long as expectations are realistic. He's not a 70pt guy. Never was, never will be. He's a solid 2way player who should get your ~45-50pts as long as he can stay healthy. A very good 3rd line center, bottom 2nd line center at this stage of his career.