Quote:
Originally Posted by MattyC
Backlund is right on his projected development curve. Defensive centers with offensive punch tend to not come into their prime until their mid-twenties generally (I'm thinking Sharp, Kesler, Langkow, guys like that). He is much stronger now and has a hell of a shot. I see him making a lot of power moves to the net with confidence. The points will come I think. I like the way he's turning out.
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Excellent point! He is still developing. We haven't seen the finished Backlund yet, and there are lots of cases where players take a bit longer to develop offensively - including Swedes. Who would have thought the Sedins would have led the NHL in points for a time after their first few seasons? Not saying he will get that far, but he is still developing and you can see it in his game.
And his shot - was it 3 years ago that he got the team's 3rd hardest shot, after Kotalik and Babchuk?