Quote:
Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan
You missed our last 2 drafts? What about Bennett and Monahan?
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What I said is my opinion as of today (subject to change of course).
I feel like we are too quick to project young players/prospects into high starring roles, without giving credit to the current players and their projected ceilings as well.
Example, just last summer, this board was all over Corban Knight being our #2 centre by this year, or next year. FFWD 6 months, and how silly does that look now?
I'm not saying Bennett & Monahan won't be our #1 and #2 centres in a few years. But with Backlund's defensive abilities, and with his ppg trend we've been seeing over the past 2+ seasons, and his noted leadership abilities, we need to give this guy more credit for doing what he's done at a high level (ie in the NHL). And at the end of the day we could be looking at a guy who turns out better than Bennett or Monahan *ducks*. Who knows. But with the Flames current cap situation, and looking at the CORE group moving forward, Backlund certainly has to be part of that group.