Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - QOTD: Are the Flames Underutilizing Backlund?

Bingo · 03-21-2015, 08:54 AM

The timing of this is somewhat suspect with the top line dicing the Flyers on Thursday night ...

But are the Flames underutilizing Mikael Backlund by stacking a top line and having him work with serviceable, rugged up and down wingers that don't do a whole lot with the puck?

The Bouma story has been great, but I think we can all agree he's more of a third liner at heart.

Should the Flames balance out Hudler and Gaudreau so they have two lines going, and teams (Blues, Avalanche) can't focus on the young guys on one line and shut them down?

What about next year with Bennett on the squad, do they play him at center or mix it up with plugging in on LW on the top two lines so they can build a top six.

If Bennett's NHLe is accurate at 54 points the Flames will have 5 roughly 60 point forwards at their disposal next year suggesting depth.

03-21-2015, 08:54 AM	#1
Bingo Owner Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Calgary Exp:	QOTD: Are the Flames Underutilizing Backlund? The timing of this is somewhat suspect with the top line dicing the Flyers on Thursday night ... But are the Flames underutilizing Mikael Backlund by stacking a top line and having him work with serviceable, rugged up and down wingers that don't do a whole lot with the puck? The Bouma story has been great, but I think we can all agree he's more of a third liner at heart. Should the Flames balance out Hudler and Gaudreau so they have two lines going, and teams (Blues, Avalanche) can't focus on the young guys on one line and shut them down? What about next year with Bennett on the squad, do they play him at center or mix it up with plugging in on LW on the top two lines so they can build a top six. If Bennett's NHLe is accurate at 54 points the Flames will have 5 roughly 60 point forwards at their disposal next year suggesting depth.