Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
That's just great. I imagine Backlund is extremely excited to center that line of boat anchors on either side. Hartley needs to understand the importance of having four solid lines.
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I agree with the hate of having Backlund with McGrattan and Jackman/Bouma, but a team is made up of different roles, and one of those roles is to grind out the opposition. That's what McGrattan, Jackman, and Bouma are supposed to do (whether they do it very well is another matter). Flames need guys like that, you can't run 4 lines of softies out there.
This is really on Backlund. He needs to show that he is one of the 3 best centres on this team CONSISTENTLY. He can't have one good game and then just rest on his laurels and disappear. Right now, Monahan and Stajan are outplaying Backlund. Colborne has struggled lately and I could see a case for switching him up with Backlundl; however, Colborne will always get a bigger pass because of his size.
Someone needs to centre the grind line, and if you aren't playing the best that you can, it's going to be you. Backlund has not played as well as he can consistently. He needs to force the coach's hand, he needs to force one of the other 3 centres down to the grind line.