Quote:
Originally Posted by Rerun
Does anybody on here really believe that he's going to get any better than what he's shown so far and that there's nobody in the system that can replace him?
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Yes, and yes.
His progression has been slow, but he has been progressing. He has never had a break-out season, but he has steadily progressed from an AHL calibre player to a useful NHLer. He has slowly and steadily progressed and there is no reason to think that he will suddenly turn into a pumpkin at midnight on his 25th birthday and start sucking. So yes, I think he will get better than what he's shown so far.
And I also don't see anyone in the system who is likely to replace him and be an upgrade. Knight is all of ONE year younger, and literally isn't even in the same league as Backlund. Granlund, Reinhart, and Jankowski are all still long-shots to make it as full-time NHLers.
And yes, Backlund is exactly the kind of guy the Flames should be looking at if he was on another team. Highly-touted former first rounder who is young and has all the tools, but hasn't been able to take the next step yet.
He's a quality player, and he's outplaying his cap hit. Of course you move him for the right price, just like any other player. But no reason to go shopping him.