There's only ever been one Lidstrom. Backman is not Lidstrom. I think people make the mistake of thinking that because he's Swedish, the Wings drafted him, and he plays a soft game, that somehow this means he's Lidstrom 2.0.
I don't think anyone believes Backman is Lidstrom, or that he'll be Lidstrom 2.0. It's simply that the "he won't make it if he's not physical" argument doesn't stand, because there are defensemen, including Lidstrom, who succeeded in the NHL without being physical. Lidstrom's just the greatest, and most familiar, example.
Not to stir up this old chestnut again, but if Jarnkrok is Hudler 2.0 then it's a huge disappointment for a guy that's the #1 prospect in this system. The bar should be much, much higher. And unlike Pavel or Z, he wasn't picked at the back of the draft - he was a 2nd rounder.
No, no. I used defensemen as examples too, obviously I didn't mean Jarnkrok will be a defenseman. The point of that statement was that prospects who are small, but skilled enough to play in the NHL, eventually get big enough to play in the NHL. They add the requisite size. I used several examples from the Wings, but the NHL is littered with them (hell, Marty St Louis is what, 4'7"?). Jarnkrok will not wash out because he is too small. If he washes out, it will be because he isn't good enough for the NHL and/or failed to properly adjust to the NHL. Hudler was just another example of a skilled shrimp who made it. Exact expectations for Jarnkrok are completely different from that of Hudler.
See my previous comment here. Size isn't the concern with Backman, it's style of play. You have to be able to give and take a hit, minimum, to play defense in the NHL. Skinny, weak, finesse defensemen have long careers in Europe but they get crushed in the NHL. Hell, European pro leagues are littered with skinny, weak, finesse defensemen with decent size that the Wings drafted. Seluyanov. Blatak. Backstrom. Mielonen. Etc.
Skinniness is one descriptor of size, and strength/weakness is directly related. Six of one, half dozen of the other. My point on size/skill stands. Additionally, as someone else mentioned, Backman has developed a lot in the past 2 years. The kid can take a hit. He's shown a commitment that others you listed never did. He may be a ways from the NHL, but if he's good enough, and continues to show the requisite commitment, I'm not worried about his strength.
From the video I've seen on Frk, his shot is lethal and doesn't appear wild at all. He also moves well enough from what I've seen - not a burner but no Hudler Flintstone feet either.
We heard the "he's not that good, he just has great linemates" line about Jurco as well, and he looks like he's coming along quite nicely. We'll see how he does in GR. I expect Frk to start slowly in GR like Jurco did, partially due to the adjustment he has to make to the pace and physicality of the AHL, and partially because the GR roster is going to be absolutely loaded next year.
Frk's got great hands and makes a good cut. Draws your attention away from his slow feet and choppy strides. His skating is below average for the NHL. And while you bring up a good point regarding Jurco, Jurco is also a much better skater, which results in him projecting better at the NHL level. I think Frk will wind up being pretty good in the AHL, just like I think Pulkkinen will as well. It's that next step, to the big stage, where I think these guys will be tripped up, at least in terms of the expectations a lot of people seem to have for them.
