For me, Backlund is a core piece now and a core piece moving forward.
Things I really like about Backlund:
- Non-stop motor. This is so underrated. Many people really dislike Glencross because essentially, he doesn't have that motor. Glencross is fast and is an undeserving whipping-boy at times as they expect full-out effort. However, I am of the mindset that not very many players can maintain a high-level of pace throughout an entire shift and throughout an entire game - Backlund can!
- Speed! Speed with his non-stop motor just makes him a relentless player. With him in the lineup, the Flames are a much more speedy team and they become more difficult to contain.
- Defensive ability - led the Flames last year in SHGs (and amongst the league leaders). The penalty kill has missed him greatly. Hartley I would argue has missed him for his shutdown abilities, and this makes it much easier for Hartley to line-match if he chooses. Makes it tougher on the other team to match lines against Calgary as well.
- IQ - It seems that Backlund 'thinks' the game very well and always seems to go to the right areas of the ice. He anticipates VERY well. He seems to not only make very smart decisions out there, but he makes them quickly.
- Character - Name one player outside of Giordano that is more 'Flame' than Backlund. He loves being here, and he will continually do everything that is asked of him.
Things I don't like:
- Injury concerns. However, I will take a guy like Backlund who seems to have a run of 'bad luck' having these weird injuries everywhere, rather than a guy with a history of the same issue. Backlund doesn't have a 'bad knee' that gets re-injured, or has the very scary 'multiple-concussions' thing going on. Definitely don't like his injury issues - and I do feel they are a legitimate concern - but at least they aren't the repetitive type of injuries.
- Offence. I still think Backlund is underrated offensively, but he absolutely needs to start showing more of it. In my mind, he needs skilled guys who work with speed. Iginla wasn't that in the short trials they put Backlund with Iginla. Glencross is a good shot, but not much in the way of being skilled. Ideal line mates for Backlund would be skilled guys who can score and have speed. Byron would be awesome with him if he was able to score more regularly. Backlund is a good playmaker, even at high speed. Gaudreau, Poirier, Klimchuk, Bennett (Bennet playing wing for the first season, and then switching them around the second season if need be) are the kinds of players that I think Backlund would work well with. Granlund is a guy who I think could be great with Backlund if Granlund is able to increase his footspeed. I think Backlund is a guy that you can throw out on any line and have him do a good job defensively, but he isn't the type of center that can create offence with just anyone it seems. I do think he has great potential to be an EXCELLENT 2-way center (and that means EXCELLENT offensively - in the 60+ points range at his height) if given a line mate or two with speed and skill.
I do think if he is not part of the 'core', then he is right on that bubble. If he increases his face-off ability, I would argue he just may the league's top shutdown center. To be that terrible at faceoffs and still be so effective at shutting down the opposing teams - that is just damn good. If he was consistently a 55+% faceoff man, I would throw around the word 'elite' when it comes to Backlund.
With that being said, there is going to be a heck of a lot of competition for Backlund coming up through the ranks. You have Arnold who is VERY good defensively, is good at faceoffs and who plays a more rugged and 'traditional' shut-down role (though I do know he is scoring well in the AHL). People think Granlund can become better than Backlund - I don't think so, at least not defensively, because he simply can not match Backlund's speed and non-stop motor. Flames just acquired Shore - maybe he becomes a more reliable scorer with size (but doesn't use it much) who can shut-down the opposition on the third line. Jankowski I will argue might be Backlund's biggest challenge to that third line role based on his size, footspeed and IQ. Jankowski may leave Providence as a nearly NHL-ready shutdown center, but that isn't for another couple of years.
I think Backlund can transition to the wing nicely if need be. I think any team can use a player like him who has excellent speed, hockey IQ, shutdown ability and still offensive enough to be at least a solid depth contributor (which he has been) and that beautiful non-stop motor that I imagine gives the other team fits.
Having a first line with Bennett (relentless, fast, non-stop motor) with Backlund on the third line (relentless, fast, non-stop motor) will be huge for the Flames moving forward in terms of being able to line-match well, as well as being very difficult to match lines against. Of course Monahan as a second line center (one could argue will be just as good as having another 1st line center) who is also a very capable 2-way center at the tender age of 20 pushes this team to a very difficult to stop organization, and one that is difficult to play against.
If another center in the organization pushes Backlund out of his spot, then GREAT. Backlund instantly gives any line some VERY good shut-down ability and will at the very least not impede a line offensively.
There are simply not that many players in the NHL that can match Backlund's all-around defensive game and has his speed and motor. He is a core piece.
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