I think with players like Backlund (2007 draft, 22 or 23) you have to be careful not to jump to either extreme.
That is ... he's going to be a star or that he's a bust.
If you look at his games played compared to his draft year he's coming along about where you'd think a bottom half first rounder should; finding his way. He's played bigger than I thought, he's played better defensively than I expected, the offence hasn't come.
Will it?
Don't know, but I do hope the Flames management and coaching staff are applying a little less emotion than some on here in assessing his development and chances to improve going forward.
He has a lot of the tools to be a very solid top 9 forward in the NHL, jury is out on top six.
I don't have a problem with that.
(he may play very well with Baertschi to be honest)
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