I think most locker rooms have groups of players that tend to hang together, and while I think Backlund isn't a terrible choice, I've always felt that he and Tckachuk were / are at odds for Mathew's extra curricular activities, taking games into WWIII etc.
If we are re-signing Gaudreau and giving him the franchise, he certainly has to get a letter - I don't know if the "C" is his desire.
For me, I think its safer to go with Tanev, I don't think he is part of any one group and is just one of those guys who puts his head down and plays hard (hurt if needed) game after game.