Todd Cordell: On Tkachuk's strong play, Hamilton's minutes and a soft schedule

Maybe Dougie is banged up? They were riding him hard for a while there and his play only got better. Can't see them limiting his ice on purpose.

Key line is this blog:

"Playing primarily with Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik helps his cause, obviously."

Tkachuk is a fantastic young player but Joe Colborne and Lance Bouma looked like world beaters playing with Backlund. Is Backlund the most underrated centre in the NHL ?

Agree on Dougie...let him play for the love of Pete.

Key line is this blog:

"Playing primarily with Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik helps his cause, obviously."

Tkachuk is a fantastic young player but Joe Colborne and Lance Bouma looked like world beaters playing with Backlund. Is Backlund the most underrated centre in the NHL ?

Agree on Dougie...let him play for the love of Pete.
- tincup

I think Backs would be sorely missed if he was ever traded.

Boys need to get some wins on this easy stretch. Gonna be key going forward.

Todd Cordell: On Tkachuk's strong play, Hamilton's minutes and a soft schedule
- ToddCordellCGY

Todd, the minutes utilization of Hamilton is baffling. A few of us in our own version of Hockey Central think tank is thinking that the Flames are bumping Wideman's & Engellends minutes via penalty kill & Wideman's case, PK & PP to increase market value. Otherwise, it just doesn't make sense on any level. Problem is, it's fuelling the trade rumours on Hamilton.

I think Backs would be sorely missed if he was ever traded.
- Clyde334

Agree, but we have a huge decision to make on him next year. His next contract is going to be in the 5.0-5.5 mill range. That is a top 2 centre paycheque. Not saying Backs isn't worth that & he definitely would be a top 2 centre on several other teams. But.... if Monahan & Bennett are your top 2 stud centre men going forward, you can't pay Backlund that much to be a #3 without handcuffing other critical areas on the team Cap wise. Maybe this next draft is the time to move him & get that #4 D to play with Brodie & hope Janko evolves into a responsible younger version of Backlund.
I don't know, starting to hate the cap

Agree, but we have a huge decision to make on him next year. His next contract is going to be in the 5.0-5.5 mill range. That is a top 2 centre paycheque. Not saying Backs isn't worth that & he definitely would be a top 2 centre on several other teams. But.... if Monahan & Bennett are your top 2 stud centre men going forward, you can't pay Backlund that much to be a #3 without handcuffing other critical areas on the team Cap wise. Maybe this next draft is the time to move him & get that #4 D to play with Brodie & hope Janko evolves into a responsible younger version of Backlund.
I don't know, starting to hate the cap
- Kevin R

Things seem to be working pretty well with three balanced scoring lines..

Really helps that we're having a lot of individual success in Stockton.

That and clearing +16 mill in dead weight by the time Backs needs an extra 2 mill.

Hell, the cap will likely have gone up 2 mill by the time Backs is negotiating his new contract.

Agree, but we have a huge decision to make on him next year. His next contract is going to be in the 5.0-5.5 mill range. That is a top 2 centre paycheque. Not saying Backs isn't worth that & he definitely would be a top 2 centre on several other teams. But.... if Monahan & Bennett are your top 2 stud centre men going forward, you can't pay Backlund that much to be a #3 without handcuffing other critical areas on the team Cap wise. Maybe this next draft is the time to move him & get that #4 D to play with Brodie & hope Janko evolves into a responsible younger version of Backlund.
I don't know, starting to hate the cap
- Kevin R

To be honest I don't think backs will be getting that much of a raise....Bennett won't be making near what monahan is either ...

I think Backs would be sorely missed if he was ever traded.
- Clyde334

Very much

Johnson given another game or Elliot already take it over after a few games where Johnson struggled and Elliot played 1 decent one?

Johnson given another game or Elliot already take it over after a few games where Johnson struggled and Elliot played 1 decent one?
- kgrpitt

We're playing Vancouver so it's very possible we waste this confidence boost on Elliott.

Get his confidence up so he can play better in the intervals between giving up weak goals.

Things seem to be working pretty well with three balanced scoring lines..

Really helps that we're having a lot of individual success in Stockton.

That and clearing +16 mill in dead weight by the time Backs needs an extra 2 mill.

Hell, the cap will likely have gone up 2 mill by the time Backs is negotiating his new contract.
- fry

Don't know if you can count on the Cap going up, but you may very well be right. I think it's time to take Chucky off the Backlund line & put him with Monahan & Versteeg & move Ferland up with Backs & Frolik.

Agree, but we have a huge decision to make on him next year. His next contract is going to be in the 5.0-5.5 mill range. That is a top 2 centre paycheque. Not saying Backs isn't worth that & he definitely would be a top 2 centre on several other teams. But.... if Monahan & Bennett are your top 2 stud centre men going forward, you can't pay Backlund that much to be a #3 without handcuffing other critical areas on the team Cap wise. Maybe this next draft is the time to move him & get that #4 D to play with Brodie & hope Janko evolves into a responsible younger version of Backlund.
I don't know, starting to hate the cap
- Kevin R

Yeah, the only way I see us extending Backs is if we decide to turn Bennett into a winger. After this season Backlund's value could be at an all time high, so at least that's a bonus...

At least Janko's looking like he could be a solid 2-way 3C Backlund clone, that could make trading him hurt a little less.

Not sure if I'd trade him for a top 4 d though (who would even be available?). I'd be happy if they use Backlund to get a power forward right winger. I'd love to have Simmonds, but doubt Philly would be interested in trading him.

Maybe Ottawa could be a fit with Stone? Backlund and Turris would be a decent 1-2 punch and it didn't seem like they were too thrilled shelling out dollars for Hoffman or Stone. Also, Turris and Brassard are alright, I don't really think either of them are a #1 and Brassard is most likely going to start declining sooner rather than later.

To be honest I don't think backs will be getting that much of a raise....Bennett won't be making near what monahan is either ...
- Redmile247

Cant see it being under 5.0 mill for at least 5-6 years on the open market. Analytics community love his game.

Cant see it being under 5.0 mill for at least 5-6 years on the open market. Analytics community love his game.
- Kevin R

Guess it will depend on if he wants to stay in Calgary or not

Yeah, the only way I see us extending Backs is if we decide to turn Bennett into a winger. After this season Backlund's value could be at an all time high, so at least that's a bonus...

At least Janko's looking like he could be a solid 2-way 3C Backlund clone, that could make trading him hurt a little less.

Not sure if I'd trade him for a top 4 d though (who would even be available?). I'd be happy if they use Backlund to get a power forward right winger. I'd love to have Simmonds, but doubt Philly would be interested in trading him.

Maybe Ottawa could be a fit with Stone? Backlund and Turris would be a decent 1-2 punch and it didn't seem like they were too thrilled shelling out dollars for Hoffman or Stone. Also, Turris and Brassard are alright, I don't really think either of them are a #1 and Brassard is most likely going to start declining sooner rather than later.
- Saskabush

I think Bennett is going to eventually be a better Centre than Monahan. Monahan reminds me of being a Brett Hull/Mike Bossy type of sniper & would probably be OK on the wing as opposed to Bennett. But Monahan has really improved on the FO percentages & we were desperate to get better in that department. If we don't win at least 7-8 of the next 11 games, I think we will be getting another top 10 pick at the next draft. Not too many are getting too excited about this upcoming draft however, you almost need to be top3 I hear.

Don't know if you can count on the Cap going up, but you may very well be right. I think it's time to take Chucky off the Backlund line & put him with Monahan & Versteeg & move Ferland up with Backs & Frolik.
- Kevin R

Would be great to see a Tkachuk - Money - Versteeg line.

Still having nightmares of the Rangers game where Ferland played on the Backs/Frolik line.. Not sure I can agree with that one.. Not sure Ferland has been off the 4th line since that stretch.. Might be wrong, miss the odd game here and there.

Guess it will depend on if he wants to stay in Calgary or not
- Redmile247

Well he did succumb to a reasonable bridge deal on this last contract, this will be his last real good chance to get a long term payday, because he'll be what, 29 when his UFA status comes up? Cant blame him for wanting to push for the higher number, not an issue of wanting to play in Calgary. Business is business & it goes both ways I would guess.

We're not trading Backlund anymore than we're trading Hamilton. In fact, I've been debating since the summer that Backlund is a better and more complete player than RNH. Man did I ever get grief for that, to the point people thought I knew nothing about hockey. Brought up the subject again on the Oiler blog yesterday, and wouldn't you know, everybody's singing a different tune now...

Would be great to see a Tkachuk - Money - Versteeg line.

Still having nightmares of the Rangers game where Ferland played on the Backs/Frolik line.. Not sure I can agree with that one.. Not sure Ferland has been off the 4th line since that stretch.. Might be wrong, miss the odd game here and there.
- fry

I didn't think he was that bad against the Rangers, the whole team kinda stunk that one out. Backlund & Frolik usually can carry most players & make them look decent. Worth trying for a few games. Too bad Tkachuk & Gaudreau play the same position because he is exactly what Gaudreau needs on his line, except on the RW.

Yeah, the only way I see us extending Backs is if we decide to turn Bennett into a winger. After this season Backlund's value could be at an all time high, so at least that's a bonus...

At least Janko's looking like he could be a solid 2-way 3C Backlund clone, that could make trading him hurt a little less.

Not sure if I'd trade him for a top 4 d though (who would even be available?). I'd be happy if they use Backlund to get a power forward right winger. I'd love to have Simmonds, but doubt Philly would be interested in trading him.

Maybe Ottawa could be a fit with Stone? Backlund and Turris would be a decent 1-2 punch and it didn't seem like they were too thrilled shelling out dollars for Hoffman or Stone. Also, Turris and Brassard are alright, I don't really think either of them are a #1 and Brassard is most likely going to start declining sooner rather than later.
- Saskabush

Simmons's isn't going anywhere ...one of the best value contracts in the league ...guy gets around 30 goals a year for under 4 mill a season

We're not trading Backlund anymore than we're trading Hamilton. In fact, I've been debating since the summer that Backlund is a better and more complete player than RNH. Man did I ever get grief for that, to the point people thought I knew nothing about hockey. Brought up the subject again on the Oiler blog yesterday, and wouldn't you know, everybody's singing a different tune now...
- Flamin_Irishmin

I love pointing that out to some of my pond scum sucking Oiler buddies that RNH is the 6.0 million version of Backlund in training.

Problem is, unfortunately we ate up one of Bennett's ELC years on that playoff run. If he does well this year, we will need to pay him Monahan type of money. If we bridge him on a 2 year deal, that can really backfire & then his next one after that will be a monster contract if he projects to being that #1 centre we are hoping for. Maybe Tre can do some magic & get Bennett on a 7 year $35 mill deal & that will soften the cushion of a 5 year $25 mill deal for Backs. One can hope anyway.

I didn't think he was that bad against the Rangers, the whole team kinda stunk that one out. Backlund & Frolik usually can carry most players & make them look decent. Worth trying for a few games. Too bad Tkachuk & Gaudreau play the same position because he is exactly what Gaudreau needs on his line, except on the RW.
- Kevin R

Was out of position on 3/4 goals against.. Backlund was trying to cover Ferland's vacant point and the middle on several plays where there weren't goals.. Bad game for everyone, worst game as a Flame for Ferks. Just my opinion. They definitely already tried it for a few games.

Would be a suprise, but who knows? Stranger things have happened.

Well he did succumb to a reasonable bridge deal on this last contract, this will be his last real good chance to get a long term payday, because he'll be what, 29 when his UFA status comes up? Cant blame him for wanting to push for the higher number, not an issue of wanting to play in Calgary. Business is business & it goes both ways I would guess.
- Kevin R

Give him less cap hit over longer term than ...if in 3 years when the CBA is up he isn't performing buy him out