Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Really? If our playoff hopes rest on a center with 9 goals, who is the team worst minus forward (for active players), and is the worst center in the faceoff dot, then this team is not worthy of the post-season. Backlund is over-rated by a lot of Flames fans, but man, you're take it to a new level. You're infatuation with Backlund has reach David Jones/The Scorpion levels. The performance that Backlund has delivered this season is not one that makes or breaks the fortunes of the hockey club. Backlund has not been driving the play. Backlund is a support player, and he's playing like one. The Flames will survive without Backlund and very likely find themselves in the exact same predicament if he's here or not.
|
How many times have you argued with me over these items, how many times do you need to be proven wrong, while you continue to post stats like +/- or FO% like they are defining characteristics of a good or bad hockey player.
Backlund is an elite defensive player. If you think otherwise, you are wrong. He makes life easier for Monahan who would drown if he was expected to face the opposition's top players every night, or was expected to take as many defensive draws as Backlund.
Backlund has done all this while being 50 point player these last few years. He's on pace to score that many this season.
Trading him will absolutely gut this team.
Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
A quarter of Backlund's role? How about ALL of it? Jankowski is better in the face-off dot. He's a more skilled player and would probably benefit from playing with better players. He's jumped up to become the team's best penalty killer. He's big, is starting to throw his weight around, and just gets his role at both ends of the ice. I would say that Jankowski, given opportunity, would make people forget about Backlund quite quickly. He's just a better hockey player.
|
That you think Jankowski can perform Backlund's role, coupled with your past opinions, tells me all I need to know about your hockey knowledge.