SmellOfVictory
Registered User
- Jun 3, 2011
- 10,959
- 653
So Backlund is equal to McDavid???? I'm too lazy to look it up and crunch the numbers but I'd be curious to see the difference between Backlund and Frolik with Bennett/Tkachuk, verses without them. Two years worth of data, Backlund and Frolik being the constant. One would think the rookies should drag down their numbers.
In terms of possession at even strength, yes. McDavid is obviously substantially better offensively, and Backlund is better defensively. The end result is actually somewhat close in terms of shot and goal differential.
As far as Tkachuk, he's actually done very well with Backlund; he's already a top 6 quality forward in the NHL, so he hasn't really done any dragging down. And Backlund/Frolik are good enough possession players that even weaker players like Colborne or Bennett (no offence to Bennett - we all know he has a lot of improving to do) don't drag them down a ton.