Mixed feelings. I like Backlund now, but this keeps him here until age 35, which I don't like. It also likely means losing Saad, which may or may not be okay.

The expansion draft gets a little weird too. Not necessarily problematic, but it would definitely throw some wrinkles in. Maybe Backlund is exposed and taken, in which case the two way retention is bad.

Idk, lots to think about here.

No thanks, lets take pit Compher and Bennett sinve they are a wash value wise. We are left with Kaut Pateryn and a 3rd for Backlund. That's not enough

Mackinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, Kadri, Burakovsky, Backlund, Bennett
Makar, Girard, Toews

Exposed: Donskoi, Jost, Nichuskin, Graves, Johnson, Francouz

With Compher gone there wouldn't be as much pressure on needing Seattle to take a $3m contract. There's also some redundancy with Jost and Nichuskin so either one who gets taken wouldn't be back-breaking. Alternatively you could expose Bennett and just treat him as a rental this year; he's an RFA though which reduces the chances of getting taken too given that Seattle can only take up to 10 RFA's in the expansion draft.

Backlund would absolutely not be exposed. I'd rather have a high end 3C than Saad personally. Decent and cheap middle 6 wingers are much easier to find than a good 3C as well.

What do you think Backlund's value is, keeping in mind his caphit, age, and NTC?

He's still constantly one of the best 2-way centers in the league, especially in a supporting role. Assuming he waives here it would probably have to be a better prospect and a 2nd instead of Kaut and the 3rd

That's fair, thank you for the feedback.

How about Timmins + 2023 2nd?

Also, of its Timmins as the prospect, how would you feel about dropping Pateryn and instead having 50% retention on Bennett? It works out the same capwise (assuming Pateryn stays in the Ahl with a $1.175m caphit).

That is: Bennett (50%) + Backlund ($1m ret.) for Timmins + Compher ($1m ret.) + 2023 2nd

Idk, this entire premise relies on Backlund waiving which isn't realistic

Thst assumes Johnson waives, which I hope happens but I'm not counting on it either. That aside, someone with a decent salary probably still needs to go (Graves or Don, if not both) since this adds cap. Would have to run year two and see.

I dunno about that. Colorado is a nice place to live, especially compared to the Calgary winter, and he'd be moving to a legit contender as well instead of going through a rebuild in Calgary. Obviously every player is different but it's nkt hard to see the attraction of waiving here.

It shouldn't be too difficult to move Graves if needed. Lot's of teams will need a Dman after the expansion draft.

If EJ doesnt waive then a buyout is a legit possibility.

Backlund has lived in Calgary for like 8 years now and has a 2 year old daughter. He won't waive because he considers Calgary his families home