On Backlund and the makeup of the Flames in general, I think it is easy to look at the standings after a third of a season and deduce that the Flames aren't good enough, but if you look at the standings you see that there is a tremendous log jam at the middle which includes the 2/3 division spots and the 2 wildcards.
Parity is real. More importantly the Flames are a team that has been underachieving relative to their potential and are actually starting to play a decent team game. Look at Nashville last season. They got it together at the right time and almost went all the way. Were they a significantly better team than the Flames are this year on paper?
Who knows what this season will bring, but if I'm the Flames as an organization I am keeping Backlund on the roster this year as he gives the team the best chance to have a run. There is no scenario this year where they are a better team without him.
Potential doesn't equal results; as Flames fans we know that all too well, but make no mistake, the Flames are right in the thick of it this season.
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