‘NOT WHAT I WANTED’
Contract distraction drags on too long for Mikael Backlund’s liking
CALGARY — It’s the type of distraction most men dream of.
Mikael Backlund doesn’t see it that way.
Contrary to his wishes, negotiations between his agent and the Calgary Flames for a new contract are heating up.
While many would see that as good news, Backlund cringes despite knowing he’s likely in line for somewhere in the neighbourhood of a six-year, US$30-million payday sometime before July 1.
If not, he’ll likely get even more elsewhere.
Yet the pending unrestricted free agent isn’t thrilled with the timing and uncertainty involved.
“It’s not what I wanted, but it is what it is,” Backlund told Postmedia. “I wish I didn’t have to deal with it during the season, but it’s part of business and we’re professionals and have to deal with it. Both sides want the best, so we’ll see what happens.
“I was pushing for (a new contract) in the summer and talking to my agent (J.P. Barry) then, but things got a little crazy with everything that was going on before the season started. All the (Jaromir) Jagr situation and, ‘who is going to stay and who is going to go,’ and all that — I know Tre (Flames GM Brad Treliving) was busy. It was a busy time.”
Word around the league has been that the 28-year-old centre is seeking the same six-year deal worth $6 million annually that Kyle Turris signed with the Nashville Predators in November.
However, a source familiar with the situation said Backlund’s ask is closer to $5 million annually over five or six years, which is much more in line with what the Flames can manage.
It’ll be quite a raise for the 10-year Flames veteran who has signed several show- me contracts along the way before finally demonstrating the last two years why the Flames never gave up on the former first-round pick.
The second year of backto-back 20-goal seasons earned him the nickname Mikael Selke by teammates who pushed for him to be recognized as one of the league’s best two-way forwards last campaign.
His career-high 22 goals and 53 points last year came on a 3M trio with Matthew Tkachuk and Michael Frolik that many saw as the Flames’ most consistent and most valuable line last year. This year, there
has been a drop-off in the line’s effectiveness, not to mention his early-season struggles on the penalty kill, leading some to wonder if it has to do with contract distraction.
On Monday, it was Backlund’s penalty in the final minute of regulation that led to the Buffalo Sabres overtime winner.
On Wednesday, Backlund was assessed a 10-minute misconduct for throwing his broken stick into the crowd, an uncharacteristic show of emotion from the typically mild-mannered Swede. Earlier in the night, he was whistled for a face-off violation.
Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan alluded to the needless infractions as undisciplined.
Not to nitpick the game of a solid contributor who still leads the team in top penalty-killing assignments, but these could be signs that Backlund’s focus has been compromised by the negotiations he wanted wrapped up by the fall.
“Our goal is to have him signed,” said Treliving of a situation he otherwise doesn’t want to comment on.
Asked the ever-loaded question, “Does he want to stay in Calgary?” Backlund responded the proper way.
“Of course — I’ve been in Calgary a long time, but it’s a business,” said the proud champion of several local charitable endeavours. “We’ll see what
happens.”
He doesn’t want to see too much, though, preferring Barry and Treliving work away in silence while he tries to keep his focus on the task at hand.
“I haven’t talked to (Barry) since before Christmas, so I’m not quite sure where it’s at,” said Backlund, who has nine goals and 20 assists in 48 games prior to Thursday’s tilt in Edmonton. “I don’t want to be too distracted so haven’t heard much lately.”
Turris is the same age and was headed for unrestricted free agency this summer before the Predators gave him his $36-million deal. While their stats are identical this year, Turris has been more productive offensively in previous years. Ditto for the Winnipeg Jets’ Bryan Little, 30, who signed a six-year pact in the fall with an average annual value of $5.29 million.
Cheaper compa- rables include the Chicago Blackhawks 29-year-old Artem Anisimov, who signed a five-year deal last season with a $4.55-million AAV. He doesn’t have the stats Backlund has. Nick Bonino’s numbers also pale to Backlund’s, but he won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins before signing as a UFA with the Preds this summer for four years at $4.1-million AAV. Martin Hanzal signed a threeyear deal with the Dallas Stars as a UFA this summer for $4.75-million AAV despite the fact his offensive and defensive contributions pale in comparison to Backlund’s.
None of the aforementioned bring the defensive diligence Backlund possesses, making him a hot commodity in a league that cherishes proven, dependable centremen.
Now that’s information he’s comfortable digesting.