Quote:
Originally Posted by The Voice of Reason
His lack of production since entering the league has been a concern. However, he's getting one last "show me" contract. If he's still struggling to put up 40 points by the end of this deal, it's likely time to cut ties and move a different direction.
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This deal is definitely Backs' put it all on the table deal. But his progression has followed very closely to that of Kesler's (######baggery aside as many of you have heard me say) If Backlund puts up 30 to 40 points this year and he turns into that defensive 3rd line forward for us I'd be happy with just that. If he pushes his game to where Kesler pushed it and has a break out season like Kesler did than even better. All I know is if we eventually do move on from Backlund I know a team like Detroit will be waiting in the wings (pun intended) for a player like Backlund to just fall in their hands. Babcock had high praise for his game a few years ago and I think he had very good reason to have that praise, this is Backlund's year to step up and take a bigger role and this contract is only going to help him do that.