jarek
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2009
- 10,004
- 238
So just a little bit about Backstrom's intangibles that we found in 2015. It obviously needs to be updated:
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/atd-2015-bio-thread.1820973/page-2#post-98845403
Etc.
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/atd-2015-bio-thread.1820973/page-2#post-98845403
Although he's tough to knock off the puck - many compare Backstrom to Peter Forsberg because of his surprising ability to shield the puck, especially along the boards - and has carried defensemen on his back as he emerges from the scrum with the puck on his stick
An extremely talented two-way center.
Defensively Bäckström takes care of his responsibilities and is a rather good penalty killer. He could use some work on his conditioning and skating. Not slow by any means, but there is some room for improvement. Bäckström is not an overly physical player, but he is pretty strong and tough to knock the puck off.
Assets: Displays outstanding patience with the puck, playmaking acumen and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Is mature and has great instincts. His shot is improving and he also boasts sound defensive ability.
Flaws: Needs to continue getting a little better at fending off defenders when the checking is at its tightest. Also needs to do more of the little things when he's not putting up points consistently. Injuries are a bit of a concern here.
Another resembles with Art Ross Trophy winner Peter Forsberg is the way Bäckström protects the puck. He is, although not being the strongest of players, very tough to knock the puck off. He protects it well, especially along the boards, and usually comes out with the puck while defensemen are hanging on his back.
He would be an even better puck carrier had he been a better skater. Bäckström is not really slow on his skates, but he lacks that extra gear and his acceleration could use improvement.
Looking at his defensive game, he is already very solid in his own end. An excellent penalty killer that backchecks hard and helps out his defenseman. As for his physical game, he is not a hitting machine, but has a small edge to his game. Once in a while he delivers a decent hit, but he is not the kind of player that is seeking good opportunities to play the body.
For me, I was scared of him before and I'm probably more scared of his game now. He has such a great ability to hold on to the puck, manufacture time, read the play and execute with the puck, that it allows the other players on his line to freelance, to not be in the same spot all the time.
They can go to different areas, they can work to get open away from the puck.
It's an unbelievable asset that he has. I don't want to say it's sleight of hand. To me, he's the best player on the half wall, he's the best half-wall distributor.
As for the breadth of Backstrom's game, he is perhaps more of a force now than ever at both ends of the ice.
He covers up for a lot of mistakes. He's sound. Good, intelligent defensively, he covers up for a lot.
He's good. He's real good.
Etc.
