Quote:
Originally Posted by dissentowner
I'm sorry but I disagree with the notion Backlund will be a star player. Comparing him to the likes of the top centres in the NHL is ludicrous. What I do see is a guy with the potential to be an excellent two way 3rd line centre on a contending team. A guy that can get you 20 goals, 40-50 points, and be out there to defend against a top line.
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How many 3rd line centers are scoring 40-50points? That's an extremely good sign, but I doubt he can score at that clip with setogucci and jones as his wingers for 11minutes/game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phanuthier
Great article, thank you. Very underrated player, much better than his point totals show.
RE : dissentowner, he's no Kopitar or anything, sure. I don't have a great comparison in my mind, but the best I could think was something like a center version of Jere Lehtinen. (sorry really drawing a blank right now for comparisons). It would not surprise me at all to see him put up 60+ points, if he can stay healthy.
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I'm thinking more like peca (circa buffalo), but less physical. Maybe Joel Otto, but less physical.
The problem is that Burke (and Treliving I think) are believers in top 6 and bottom 6 as opposed to top 9 and 4th line.
This means that top 6 scores and plays with finesse, while bottom 6 plays defense and wears down opponents. Most teams try? For 3 scoring lines and a pugalistic 4th line, but not Burke. At least that's the way I enterpret it.
What it all means is that while Backlund is a top 2 line option now, he's valuable to the Flames. Is Burke (and Treliving) willing to have Backlund AND Stajan centering the bottom 2 lines?