Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay Random
Excellent takes!
I would only quibble by saying that the Flames had a strong group of centres up until 1995. That year they had Joe Nieuwendyk, Robert Reichel, Joel Otto, and Kelly Kisio down the middle, and it was a sheer travesty that they didn't get out of the first round. Then Reichel left for Germany, Otto bolted as a UFA, Kisio retired, and Doug ‘Watch Me Wreck My Team’ Risebrough played chicken with Nieuwendyk over a few bucks and ended up losing him too.
I have literally been waiting over 20 years to see the team rebuild that kind of strength at C. Monahan is a step below Nieuwendyk, Backlund is so much better than Reichel it's laughable, and Jankowski is shaping well to become Otto Lite. It almost feels like old times.
The way things are going at the moment, the biggest obstacle I foresee is meeting Vegas in the divisional final. We haven't yet had a chance to see how the Flames do against the Golden Knights, something I've been looking forward to all year. If it does come down to those two teams in the second round, we'll have to see which one is the windshield and which one is the bug.
|
You realize Reichel as a Flame was a two time 40 goal scorer and put up seasons of 88 and 93 points? Backlund's career points high is closer to Reichels career goal season than his points season. Different times and totally different roles so I just don't see how you can justify saying that. Sure it's true Reichel was only ever clutch when playing in a Czech uniform but the guy was a really good player. When you consider international play there is no doubt Reichel had a much better career than Backlund.