Now there is a very vocal minority of fans who have hellbent on running Backs out of town, but I really think people aren't realizing how low-key good he's been on our dumpster fire roster this year.
Well not extremely gaudy, he's still pacing for a solid 53.0CF%, so his fancy stats are good. He has 34 takeaways which leads the team; this while still being our most important matchup centre and technically being #3 in terms of TOI for a centre (granted 17 mins a night is a lot for a "3rd liner"). He is pacing for 219 shots on goal in an 82 game season (which is second on the team), and he is a respectable 51.2% in the dot. Also still a presence on the PK.
He is technically a third liner on the flames, yet his production is the exact same as Sean Monahan right now (50 pt pace in 82 games). Now yes he has gotten some good time with Mangiapane, but he's also had to lug around Lucic and Bennett and Nordstrom in that role as well. The narrative that Tkachuk carried him in recent years has fallen apart that's for sure, and you could argue the former two are even having rather decent seasons with him as well (which says a lot).
If the team rebuilds I do think he'd be a great piece to keep around and teach some of the kids. Reminds me a bit of TJ Brodie; he gets crap from the fanbase until he is gone before being sorely missed.
Well not extremely gaudy, he's still pacing for a solid 53.0CF%, so his fancy stats are good. He has 34 takeaways which leads the team; this while still being our most important matchup centre and technically being #3 in terms of TOI for a centre (granted 17 mins a night is a lot for a "3rd liner"). He is pacing for 219 shots on goal in an 82 game season (which is second on the team), and he is a respectable 51.2% in the dot. Also still a presence on the PK.
He is technically a third liner on the flames, yet his production is the exact same as Sean Monahan right now (50 pt pace in 82 games). Now yes he has gotten some good time with Mangiapane, but he's also had to lug around Lucic and Bennett and Nordstrom in that role as well. The narrative that Tkachuk carried him in recent years has fallen apart that's for sure, and you could argue the former two are even having rather decent seasons with him as well (which says a lot).
If the team rebuilds I do think he'd be a great piece to keep around and teach some of the kids. Reminds me a bit of TJ Brodie; he gets crap from the fanbase until he is gone before being sorely missed.