Backlund has scored at 40+ point pace for the last 6 seasons in a row, even when saddled with the worst linemates imaginable like Bouma and David Jones. To call it luck is completely ridiculous, especially when you watch what he can create offensively.
I never said anything about prior years. I said Backlund, along with a long list of other Flames, simply wasn’t good enough this year. While he may have created, with lesser players in past years, about 2/3rds of the offence created by that line has been a direct product of Tkachuk, and I think that’s pretty undeniable. So unless you think sub 40 point seasons are acceptable production from a 2C, I think center was very much part of the problem this year, that most people overlook.
I see Monahan, removed from Gaudreau, as a lower end 1C, in a similar range as Turris or Duchene. Backlund, to me, is an elite two way 3C, who struggles to produce at a 2C level offensively. Jankowski has a lot of work to do. He turns like a dump truck. There’s an incredible amount of improvement to make on lateral movement and foot speed, in order to take the next step.
Long story short, we’re basically on the low end of center quality at every level....weak down the middle. I think we’d get more bang for our buck if we target a Henrique or even Brassard to push Jankowski into a 4C role and balance our shortcomings down the middle, opposed to targeting a RW.