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J epworth · 04-05-2013, 10:48 PM

I still hope he reaches the high end of his potential, and I know stats don't tell the story, but even so, I like pointing out the eerily similar numbers that Backlund and Kesler have had in their first few pro seasons:

Ryan Kesler:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p....php?pid=67780

Mikael Backlund:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p...php?pid=104255

Note that by the time Kesler was 24 he was playing at around 0.5 points per game, which Backlund is matching so far this year, but who knows if he would have kept this pace in an 82 game season (though his play since coming back from injury has been very consistent). I just find it very curious that 2 players that have similar strengths in their game, both high profile prospects at their respective time for their teams, have had such similar numbers in their first few seasons. Here's hoping Backlund can finally start playing 82 games and continue his trend similarly to Kesler, as it was his season when he was 25 years old when he finally broke out as a top player for the Canucks.

04-05-2013, 10:48 PM	#7
J epworth Franchise Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta Exp:	I still hope he reaches the high end of his potential, and I know stats don't tell the story, but even so, I like pointing out the eerily similar numbers that Backlund and Kesler have had in their first few pro seasons: Ryan Kesler: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p....php?pid=67780 Mikael Backlund: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p...php?pid=104255 Note that by the time Kesler was 24 he was playing at around 0.5 points per game, which Backlund is matching so far this year, but who knows if he would have kept this pace in an 82 game season (though his play since coming back from injury has been very consistent). I just find it very curious that 2 players that have similar strengths in their game, both high profile prospects at their respective time for their teams, have had such similar numbers in their first few seasons. Here's hoping Backlund can finally start playing 82 games and continue his trend similarly to Kesler, as it was his season when he was 25 years old when he finally broke out as a top player for the Canucks.