Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
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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Agreed, good post. People get way to impatient with the development of young players. Most players dont make an impact in the NHL until theyre 24-25. The fact that there are players in the league under 23 making large impacts are anomalies. Special talents that are a combination of incredible work ethic and God-given ability. But most players who were offensive contributors at lower levels take a few years to find their scoring touch in the NHL.
Backlund works his tail off, is responsible in his own zone, finishes his checks and every so often shows some great skill to score a goal. Now that his defensive side of the game is tightening up I can see him start to put up some decent numbers. I feel the same way about Horak, him being 2 years younger is just a bonus.
I'd like to see a line of Horak-Backlund-Baertschi next year. Not sure who would play center between Horak and Backlund (probably Backlund) but having two centermen on the same line isn't necessarily a bad thing. I could see that line doing well as a third scoring line that can play against other teams weaker competition and put up some points.