Quote:
Originally Posted by calgaryblood
Abdelkader is better than Backlund, and I'm a Backlund fan. Has more offensive upside and is good defensively as well
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Abdelkader has 139 points (65 goals) in 413 NHL games
Backlund has 134 points (53 goals) in 314 NHL games
Almost the same production, but a difference of 99 NHL games. Abdelkader has seen his production go up because he's had an opportunity to play top minutes (his most frequent linemates this season are Zetterberg, Larkin and Nyquist). And let's be honest here, Backlund would easily be a 0.5 ppg player like Abdelkader is right now if he could play on a line with those players ...
Just like Backlund, Abdelkader is a fringe 2nd line forward, but a pretty decent 3rd line forward. Usually those don't earn north of 4m over 7 years with a full NTC though.