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Mikael Backlund

Anglesmith

Anglesmith

Setting up the play?
Sep 17, 2012
46,479
14,792
Victoria
JulianHopper said:
Mikael Backland with just one assist in his last 5 games. I don't he'll be back next season. The Flames have to get a lot better and need players that can put up points on a nightly basis and in big games.
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This statement appears to have come right out of left field. Backlund has been our overall best forward in terms of consistency this season. Hartley has stated as much, and even went so far as to make him 3rd in line for an "A" on his chest. Factor in the fact that he's still on a bridge contract with one year left and no ability to go to the open market, and the only thing that would prevent him from being back next year is injury.

He's developed his game to the extent that some analysts now have him pegged as a future Selke trophy candidate. That is high praise and speaks to how far his game has come this season.

I've always felt that the numbers are unimportant. They are a bonus. It's a luxury to have one of the league-leaders in points on your team, and it's fun to get behind a guy who scores 50. But these guys don't make your team win. Look at Iginla and the Flames the first time he scored 50. Now look at the Bruins and look at the fact that they have three players who will likely finish with more than 60 points, and none with more than 70 (likely). If Mikael Backlund is helping this team win, it's irrelevant how many points he gets credited with. Along with our other best players this season, when Backlund is on the ice, our team scores more goals than it allows.
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DCDM

DCDM

Da Rink Cats
Mar 24, 2008
38,094
6,426
Calgary
JulianHopper said:
Mikael Backland with just one assist in his last 5 games. I don't he'll be back next season. The Flames have to get a lot better and need players that can put up points on a nightly basis and in big games.
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futuramafry.jpg


You do know players go through slumps, right?

Please tell me what part about last night was a "big game". Tampa has already clinched a playoff spot. Flames have already been eliminated. I am interested to know why Backlund, who is pretty close to 20 goals this year last I checked, is your target with this post.
 
Anglesmith

Anglesmith

Setting up the play?
Sep 17, 2012
46,479
14,792
Victoria
JulianHopper said:
I believe Sean Monahan will score today and get his 20th of the season.

I believe Mikael Backlund will score today and get his 19th of the season.

They'll both be at 20 goals on the season coming back home after this roadtrip.
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This just shows how much your opinion changed over three games.

The fact that you're right now speaking praise for Cammalleri ought to be a lesson for you. There was a stretch earlier this season from December 27 to March 1 where Cammalleri scored exactly 1 goal and 0 assists in 14 games. He's had two 4-game pointless streaks, a 5-game pointless streak and a 9-game pointless streak. Now look at him.
 
Johnny Hoxville

Johnny Hoxville

The Return of a Legend
Jul 15, 2006
37,549
9,343
Calgary
Why would the Flames move Backlund? The game I went to a few weeks ago, it was very clear to me that he was our best forward. He always out there creating and driving the play, and he's our best defensive center IMO, even over Stajan, he is extremely smart. If he's a 50-60 point guy year in and year out, along with being a defensive specialist, you would be foolish to trade a player like that. Hopefully his injury isn't serious.
 
TheHudlinator

TheHudlinator

Registered User
Nov 21, 2011
28,824
7,602
Victoria,BC
Anglesmith said:
This statement appears to have come right out of left field. Backlund has been our overall best forward in terms of consistency this season. Hartley has stated as much, and even went so far as to make him 3rd in line for an "A" on his chest. Factor in the fact that he's still on a bridge contract with one year left and no ability to go to the open market, and the only thing that would prevent him from being back next year is injury.

He's developed his game to the extent that some analysts now have him pegged as a future Selke trophy candidate. That is high praise and speaks to how far his game has come this season.

I've always felt that the numbers are unimportant. They are a bonus. It's a luxury to have one of the league-leaders in points on your team, and it's fun to get behind a guy who scores 50. But these guys don't make your team win. Look at Iginla and the Flames the first time he scored 50. Now look at the Bruins and look at the fact that they have three players who will likely finish with more than 60 points, and none with more than 70 (likely). If Mikael Backlund is helping this team win, it's irrelevant how many points he gets credited with. Along with our other best players this season, when Backlund is on the ice, our team scores more goals than it allows.
Click to expand...

As someone who was very openly disappointing with Backlund for the first 2 months I can easily say I don't know why we wouldn't bring Backlund back. He has finally been able to play a whole year and since December he has been our best defensive forward by about a mile. Even if Backlund never puts up more than 50 points in a season (if he plays this way in the future) then he is the kind of guy you want and have to have on your 3rd line if you want to win.

Imo Backlund is going to be the guy that gives us the center depth in a couple years that we need to be a contender, as he can play top 6 minutes when needed but is simply become a beast defensively.

Monahan - X - Backlund - Knight

IMO Backlund's defensive game could allow him to be our version of J.Staal that the Pens had.
 
Calculon

Calculon

unholy acting talent
Jan 20, 2006
16,578
4,035
Error 503
Regarding a Bruins comparison, Backlund would be a Peverley or Kelly, Monahan similar to Bergeron, and Sam Reinhart/Draisaitl as the Krejci.
 
Johnny Hoxville

Johnny Hoxville

The Return of a Legend
Jul 15, 2006
37,549
9,343
Calgary
Calculon said:
Regarding a Bruins comparison, Backlund would be a Peverley or Kelly, Monahan similar to Bergeron, and Sam Reinhart/Draisaitl as the Krejci.
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Defensively yes, but Backlund is far more offensively skilled and creative than those players. I doubt Backlund ever has a 70-80pt season, but his style of play I find to be quite similar. Krejci is excellent defensively as well.
 
MonahanTheMan

MonahanTheMan

Pray for Flames
Jul 10, 2013
1,854
0
Bellingham, WA
I think we are seeing Backlund's offensive ceiling, but that doesn't bother me at all. Apart from the way he was hyped up after the fact, you have to remember that Backlund was essentially drafted to be a second-line centre who specializes in defensive play, and that's what he is. Score one for Feaster and Weisbrod for picking and adequately developing a player into his ceiling.
 
Anglesmith

Anglesmith

Setting up the play?
Sep 17, 2012
46,479
14,792
Victoria
MonahanTheMan said:
I think we are seeing Backlund's offensive ceiling, but that doesn't bother me at all. Apart from the way he was hyped up after the fact, you have to remember that Backlund was essentially drafted to be a second-line centre who specializes in defensive play, and that's what he is. Score one for Feaster and Weisbrod for picking and adequately developing a player into his ceiling.
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Backlund was a Sutter pick.
 
Bouma Fett*

Bouma Fett*

Booty Hunter
May 19, 2012
2,861
1
Calgary
He's a very defensively responsible 35-45 point center. Perfect third line center, who can also move up and play top 6 when injuries or slumps happen. He is always creating chances, involved in the play, and is one of the best skaters on our team.

He might not be a top 6 dynamite player, but he's the kind of utility player every team needs. I sincerely doubt that anything or anyone we'd get in a trade would be better for us than he is, the only way I'd move him is in a package deal we couldn't pass up. He's one of our best all around players, and someone we drafted, which means something to me as a fan.

In summary, if we moved him for anything less than a top ten pick or packaged for a superstar player, it's not worth letting him go at all.
 
Mr Lebowski

Mr Lebowski

Go Flames
Feb 18, 2014
3,536
0
Toronto
Calculon said:
Regarding a Bruins comparison, Backlund would be a Peverley or Kelly, Monahan similar to Bergeron, and Sam Reinhart/Draisaitl as the Krejci.
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I see us more like Chicago

Kane (Gaudreau) - Toews (Monahan) - Sharp (Poirier)
Hossa (Klimchuk)

Kieth (Brodie) -Seabrook (Giordano)

Not saying thay'll be as good but same style
 

Sparky93

Registered User
Dec 30, 2010
7,004
1,041
He really reminds me of Stajan, during his time on the Leafs. If we packaged him in a Dion type deal, I wouldn't think twice. I don't see him being moved but it all depends how much money he wants after next year. As long as he's happy getting payed 3C money, I'm happy to have on the team.
 
SmellOfVictory

SmellOfVictory

Registered User
Jun 3, 2011
10,959
653
Backlund has always received less appreciation than he deserves, particularly from more casual fans. I hope he's with the Flames the entirety of his career, because he's a very useful player, and has been for a few years.
 
MuffinMerc

MuffinMerc

Come watch TV
Jan 23, 2013
4,065
0
Gillies32 said:
Do you think he'll be our 2nd line centre at the end of our re-builds?
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It depends if we get McDavid.
I really want McDavid.


Barring drafting anymore potential top line centers and/or Backlund being traded he's a serviceable 2nd line center.
Monahan
Backlund
Granlund
Knight
Or something like that.
 
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