Seravalli: Mikael Backlund is also leaning toward not re-signing in Calgary

[Prairie Habs]

Huberdeau showing up to training camp

If his production didn't drop by 60 points from the season before they make the playoffs and there might not be the exodus we're seeing now, so he shouldn't be too shocked about it.

 

[CraigBillington]

Atlanta lost 2 NHL teams, why would NHL go back there for a 3rd time? It's population is mainly black and they support basketball and football, not hockey. Also with the terrible NHL tv ratings for the finals, it's best if NHL chose a Canadian city if they want to relocate or expand instead of another US city down south.

Pretty sure race isn't the reason...

There were lots of issues within ownership, lots of moving parts in that group and lawsuits resulted. Basically, it got to the point that ownership HAD to sell because they couldn't afford the mounting losses after the settlements and poor on ice performance leading to smaller crowds.

 

[DJJones]

Let’s assume all this is true, and these players all want out, rather than to sign again in Calgary.

Lindholm and Hanifin are pretty straightforward. There will be tons of interest. The problem with moving Backlund is, there are so many teams trying to move pieces right now, he’s going to be the backup, to the backup plan for teams looking to fill a hole. He will likely end up somewhere, where that team wasn’t able to land what they see as better fits. So chances of moving him at the draft or before, is pretty slim.

He’d probably be a nice fit for a team who has youngsters they see as a Top 6 C, but probably aren’t quite ready for that responsibility yet. Detroit, Columbus, etc. Those teams are going to be in on these other players though.

So the Flames may be forced to be very patient with moving him, if they want the best value in return.

Retain half on backlund and every playoff team should be begging for him. He's the easiest to move of those three

I'm happy he's forcing their hand. Sell at the peak

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

Atlanta lost 2 NHL teams, why would NHL go back there for a 3rd time? It's population is mainly black and they support basketball and football, not hockey. Also with the terrible NHL tv ratings for the finals, it's best if NHL chose a Canadian city if they want to relocate or expand instead of another US city down south.

So what if they’re mainly black? What’s wrong with trying to have that demographic?

 

[Stealth1616]

The funny thing about the flames situation is they can’t even rebuild with the contracts they signed last year.

In for about 10 years of absolute mediocrity

 

[Petes2424]

Retain half on backlund and every playoff team should be begging for him. He's the easiest to move of those three

I'm happy he's forcing their hand. Sell at the peak

It’s way too early for rental thinking. We’re in the midst of trades that happen with long term intentions. He’s 34 and has a year left. Nobody is going to want to extend him at 34.

He’s much more likely to be a deadline player than moved now. Teams just aren’t looking for one year players yet. In a couple weeks a team might see a fit if they strike out on the others. That’s the only real hope of trading him this summer.

 

[Some Other Flame]

The funny thing about the flames situation is they can’t even rebuild with the contracts they signed last year.

In for about 10 years of absolute mediocrity

Nah. The margins between a playoff team and a bottom 10 finish have never been smaller. Huberdeau, Weegar, Kadri, Andersson, Mangiapane, Dube, Kylington is a good group but would it really surprise anyone if that "core" group finished in the bottom 10? Canucks were a regular bottom feeder despite having Pettersson, Hughes, Boeser, Horvat. Capitals have the 8th pick despite Ovechkin, Carlson, Kuznetsov, Wilson, Mantha, etc.

Plus, you still have to reach the cap floor anyway.

 

[DJJones]

It’s way too early for rental thinking. We’re in the midst of trades that happen with long term intentions. He’s 34 and has a year left. Nobody is going to want to extend him at 34.

He’s much more likely to be a deadline player than moved now. Teams just aren’t looking for one year players yet. In a couple weeks a team might see a fit if they strike out on the others. That’s the only real hope of trading him this summer.

Playoff teams go for rentals in the summer all the time.

Tampa, Toronto, Boston, ect. Next year doesn't exist for them. They're all in

 

[abo9]

Dont even worry about it, yall getting flordia pick cuz theres no way Florida is gonna be drafting top 10 in 25

What's "lottery protection" on Florida's 2025 pick? Is it saying, if they're out of the playoffs, they keep the pick? Because that's not super wildly improbable. Improbably, but not that much considering the goaltending and defense uncertainties in 2 years.

If the lottery protection just means, "winning" the lottery, then yeah, I don't think the Panthers win the lottery in 2 years.

I ask bc the Monahan conditions don't mention the scenario where Calgary receives the Panthers' first and BOTH firsts being in the top 10.

And if my understanding is correct, Panthers missing the playoffs in 2025 combined with Calgary sucking would give the Habs a really good pick. Or slide to 2026.

 

[FlyguyOX]

Atlanta lost 2 NHL teams, why would NHL go back there for a 3rd time? It's population is mainly black and they support basketball and football, not hockey. Also with the terrible NHL tv ratings for the finals, it's best if NHL chose a Canadian city if they want to relocate or expand instead of another US city down south.

Ownership issue. Nashville, Tampa, Carolina, Dallas all doing great.

Also NHL players don't want to play for Canadian teams.

 

[abo9]

The funny thing about the flames situation is they can’t even rebuild with the contracts they signed last year.

In for about 10 years of absolute mediocrity

AND they paid a 1st to get rid of Monahan's contract to afford said contracts to be paid.

Idk what kind of purely futures package they could have got for Tkachuk, but they really shot themselves in the foot last off season.

I get it, the pressure was on to build on their successful RS, despite their top 2 assets leaving, but they created quite a hole.

That is, IF Huberdeau, Kadri and co. don't rebound - they still might

 

[Petes2424]

Pretty sure race isn't the reason...

There were lots of issues within ownership, lots of moving parts in that group and lawsuits resulted. Basically, it got to the point that ownership HAD to sell because they couldn't afford the mounting losses after the settlements and poor on ice performance leading to smaller crowds.

Yep. It’s also a “Melting Pot” market with the other 3 major sports. Much different than a Vegas, Columbus, Nashville, etc. In those markets, the population support the teams initially much better because they don’t have as many options. Then they fall in love with the sport. Same with Raleigh.

Look at the cities the NHL struggles in. ATL, Phoenix, Miami. All for the same fundamental reasons that lead to ownership issues. We’re 30 years in and Florida and Arizona still have more opposing fans in the building than local fans. Try a Wings/Boston/Toronto/Rangers game in South Florida. It’s insane when the building is that outnumbered by opposing fans. ATL was the same way.

 

[HairyKneel]

So now they're essentially forced into a rebuild, but have two boat anchors in Kadri and Huberdeau on the books. Wow.

Imagine how those two players must feel right now.

Couldn’t happen to a better fanbase. Everyone wants out and they have no prospects. A greenhorn GM who talks a good game and an AHL coach. Lmao.

 

[Bond]

What's "lottery protection" on Florida's 2025 pick? Is it saying, if they're out of the playoffs, they keep the pick? Because that's not super wildly improbable. Improbably, but not that much considering the goaltending and defense uncertainties in 2 years.

If the lottery protection just means, "winning" the lottery, then yeah, I don't think the Panthers win the lottery in 2 years.

I ask bc the Monahan conditions don't mention the scenario where Calgary receives the Panthers' first and BOTH firsts being in the top 10.

And if my understanding is correct, Panthers missing the playoffs in 2025 combined with Calgary sucking would give the Habs a really good pick. Or slide to 2026.

Nope. Florida has to be a bottom ten team in one of the next two seasons for their pick to not transfer.

Nah. The margins between a playoff team and a bottom 10 finish have never been smaller. Huberdeau, Weegar, Kadri, Andersson, Mangiapane, Dube, Kylington is a good group but would it really surprise anyone if that "core" group finished in the bottom 10? Canucks were a regular bottom feeder despite having Pettersson, Hughes, Boeser, Horvat. Capitals have the 8th pick despite Ovechkin, Carlson, Kuznetsov, Wilson, Mantha, etc.

Plus, you still have to reach the cap floor anyway.

Yeah. They could trade the UFAs, Weegar, and Andersson and comfortably be a bottom 5 team

 

[Petes2424]

Playoff teams go for rentals in the summer all the time.

Tampa, Toronto, Boston, ect. Next year doesn't exist for them. They're all in

They sign older players to one year deals as UFAs, but rarely trade assets for them. In fact, in recent history, the ones we do see moved in the summer, are players teams are paying to move, for salary cap purposes.

It’s rare, and super rare, for a team to trade for one at or around the draft.. Teams just aren’t in that mode yet. It’s likely only going to happen, as I explained. If it happens this summer.

 

[jackjohnson]

Ownership issue. Nashville, Tampa, Carolina, Dallas all doing great.

Also NHL players don't want to play for Canadian teams.

NHL players do play for Canadian teams, not sure what you are talking about? They rather play there than places like Arizona where they are playing in a community center rink lol

 

[viper0220]

So now they're essentially forced into a rebuild, but have two boat anchors in Kadri and Huberdeau on the books. Wow.

Imagine how those two players must feel right now.

They making a shit ton of money, I don’t think they feel bad. Also if the Flames are forced into a rebuild, they don’t need to produce.

 

[viper0220]

The funny thing about the flames situation is they can’t even rebuild with the contracts they signed last year.

In for about 10 years of absolute mediocrity

Teams still need to reach the cap floor, Huberdeau, Kadri and Weegar don’t move the needle much.

The Flames are on a prime spot to rebuild.

 

[McFlash97]

Calgary is a hockey dumpster fire right now. No one wants to play there. Yikes

 

[Double Dion]

Calgary is a hockey dumpster fire right now. No one wants to play there. Yikes

Too close to Edmonton... When the north wind blows it smells Edmontony.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

The hell..is anything or one left in CGY

 

[Bond]

Teams still need to reach the cap floor, Huberdeau, Kadri and Weegar don’t move the needle much.

The Flames are on a prime spot to rebuild.

Weegar can be moved.

 

[One Winged Angel]

You have to wonder if there are any potential behind the scenes reasoning as to why all of these guys want out, whether it be location, front office or a specific event that happened in the locker room.

It just seems odd that so many key players would want out of a contender in such a short period of time.

I figured the Sutter firing would’ve changed the dynamic, but it seems like it’s actually getting worse.

 

[viper0220]

Weegar can be moved.

I think so as well, Markstrom with with retention can also be moved. But Huberdeau and Kadri cannot be moved and that’s okay. The cap floor needs to be reached.

The Flames are in a prime rebuilding position and assets gained fromLindholm, Hanifin, Backlund, Andersson and Tanev can put them on the right track.

You have to wonder if there are any potential behind the scenes reasoning as to why all of these guys want out, whether it be location, front office or a specific event that happened in the locker room.

It just seems odd that so many key players would want out of a contender in such a short period of time.

I figured the Sutter firing would’ve changed the dynamic, but it seems like it’s actually getting worse.

I think it might be ownership.

 

[McDuffz88]

I mean who didn't see this coming? The GM was an absolute moron to think he was going to lose both Gaudreau & Tkachuck and be able to do a simple retool. When you lose your core then you must rebuild. No shortcuts. Once they lost Johnny to FA, they should of starting fielding offers for Tkachuck to get the best offer (one based around prospects/picks). That would of sped up the rebuild but nope they decide to handcuff themselves to an anchor of a contract. The writing was on the wall 2 years ago but GM refused to read it.