Quote:
Originally Posted by dustygoon
Something is not right.....why is he not performing very well for Vestaras? Berglund was top dog at this time last year on this very team. A year on and Backlund now the same age and type of potential as Berglund should also be an important player on that team at this level.
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In addition to the other very valid points about the speed of development, I think expectation has got in the way.
There is however one HUGE difference between Berglund and Backlund that hasn't been noted. It's about 4 inches and 25 pounds. Playing against men as a younger man (or at any time really) this would make a very big difference. Being as big or bigger than those around you not only inspires more confidence but it also causes others to back off. On the larger ice surface this makes less of a difference but it still matters.
The really important thing going forward is how he reacts to both the threat of being cut, or alternatively to actually being cut. It would be great to see him in the WHL or AHL though.