Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The buzz surrounding the Flames today has been that they are looking to shop Mikael Backlund and/or Mike Cammalleri. Darren Dreger tweeted today that the Flames are looking to trade Backlund and, while listening to friends talk about the rumour mill, I’ve heard more than one person speculate the idea of a Cammalleri trade.
If the Flames are shopping Cammy, they will want something worth the money because he is still producing on ice. If the Flames consider the idea of trading Cammalleri, they will probably want to get something in return.
Backlund seems to be taking a step back in his stats again this year. He’s been either hot or not in the last three seasons. This year, he is not.
Just a few minutes ago, I got a notification on my phone from The Score mobile app, saying that Martin Erat of the Washington Capitals has asked to be traded.
Convenient, no…?
According to www.capgeek.com, Backlund’s cap hit is at 1.5 million while Cammy’s hit is 6 million and Erat’s cap hit on the Capitals is at 4.5 million.
This year, Erat has 6 points in 23 games while Backlund has 7 points in 22 games and Cammalleri has 13 points in 16 games. Based on just these stats, it would make sense to take Cammy out of the equation based on his good numbers and consistent production. Giving up Cammy for Erat just doesn’t make sense in the numbers game.
But could an Erat/Backlund trade be in the works?
No trades have been confirmed and the rumours are just that – rumours.
But I wouldn’t be surprised by another breaking trade update coming soon.