not a surprise to hear those words about Backlund. I suspect the biggest issue with most 20 year old players is consistency.
I've seen that a lot in his countryman, Patrik Berglund. Flashes of brillance, followed by shifts or games were he's invisible.
Backlund will figure it out. Playing 23 games, and spending over a quarter of the season in the NHL was a good first year
the Vancouver Sun has the same article with a little more detail
Quote:
"Mike's play did level off," Playfair said. "When he first came back, I thought he was below average.
"I thought he revved up and played very well in the middle and then went back below average at the very end."
In 13 playoff games, Backlund registered one goal and nine points.
"He wasn't anywhere near as good as he had to be for us to win," Playfair said. "But he's a young player. We forget that. This is his first year. I get frustrated with him. I expect more, because I've seen him give more. "
Backlund turned 21 in March.
"He's really had lots of ups and downs," Playfair said." But if you step back and take an objective look at it, it was a pretty good first year for Mikael Backlund."
It's great that Playfair expects more from Backlund. Not to make excuses for Backlund, because if he has to play better, he has to play better, but I wonder if his playing 90 games this year at a pro level (travel, competition) was starting to wear on him?
Hopefully, the kid learns from this and strives to play every game as Playfair says he's capable of doing, because the big club is going to need him.
the Vancouver Sun has the same article with a little more detail
Not surprising with all the vitrol that is being spewed in the media regarding the Flames that the Calgary paper would have a more negative view of Playfair's comments than another paper.
Just one more reason to take anything the media produces with a grain of salt.
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Is Carter Bancks Flames property? I keep hearing that he's a recent WHL graduate promoted to the AHL, but he wasn't drafted by anyone, and I don't recall hearing about him being signed...
Is Carter Bancks Flames property? I keep hearing that he's a recent WHL graduate promoted to the AHL, but he wasn't drafted by anyone, and I don't recall hearing about him being signed...
I'm actually a Canucks fan. I just spent the first 4 years on this board pretending to be a Flames fan, so that I could all of a sudden start trolling in 2010.
Pretty safe to say his 6 years in the Flames organisation are over, with an NHL cup of coffee amounting to a total of 4 games. He was first signed the month after Calgary lost in Game 7 of the 2004 SCF. Thanks for your efforts with the Flames organisation over the years Carsen!
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Shot down in Flames!Death to Oilers. Death to Canucks. Praise be to Sutter. "Ever since I made the decision to go sober three years ago my life has done a complete 360" -Theoren Fleury
Pretty safe to say his 6 years in the Flames organisation are over, with an NHL cup of coffee amounting to a total of 4 games. He was first signed the month after Calgary lost in Game 7 of the 2004 SCF. Thanks for your efforts with the Flames organisation over the years Carsen!
Really strong meat & potatoes player. Good grinder. Not the best hand in the world, but he always seemed to hustle.
