[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

There's a ton in this post that I could respond to, but I'm gonna keep it nice and short because it's bed time for me.

I really wish you would have spent some time to put together a thoughtful post. I'll say it was because you were tired.

The difference between Backlund and Brouwer is that they're complete polar opposites. Backlund plays the most important forward position. Brouwer doesn't. Backlund is a possession God. Brouwer is a 100lb anchor. Backlund is an absolute defensive monster. Brouwer makes a pylon look like a Selke candidate. Backlund has hovered around the 48-53 point mark the last 3 seasons. Brouwer has never come close.

Okay, you completely missed the point. There is no doubt that Backlund is a better player RIGHT NOW. But what happens if Backlund takes the step backward that comes with age? What happens when Tkachuk moves on to another line where his skills may be better used? If Backlund falls back to a 30 point player like some have suggested, this is a boat anchor of a contract. Lets not kid ourselves here. Treliving just gave a $5M+ contract, for six seasons, to a guy who has 10 goals on the season. If that is the new standard, this team is in for a world of hurt. Backlund needs to be a 20G, 50P+ center for the next four or five seasons for this contract to make sense. I personally don't like the odds of that happening.

In short, Backlund is currently an elite two-way player. He's among the elite of the elite defensively while providing close to 50 points a season, if not more.

Yeah, no. In no way, shape or form, is Backlund elite, let alone elite of the elite. In. No. Way. Hyperbole doesn't make your case. Here's a look at Backlund's rankings in comparison to his peers at his position (252 players).

Goals: 86th.
Assists: 38th
Points: 53rd
+/-: 231st
PPG: 62nd
GWG: Tied for 82nd (1 goal)
Shots: 30th
Shooting%: 170th
Faceoff%: 133rd

He's still on pace for 48 points despite being incredibly unlucky this season by all accounts (S%, oiSH% and PDO are all the lowest they've been in 7 years) and continues to absolutely obliterate his opponents night in and night out despite being matched up against opposing teams' top lines every night and being buried in defensive zone starts.

He obliterates opponents each and every night? How is he a 231st out of 252 centers (just centers!) in +/- if he's oblitering the opposition each night? I know +/- isn't the greatest stat, but is no worse than the fancy stats which were dreamed up by a bunch of fans looking to pump the tires on their poorly performing team. I'm sorry, but stats just don't support your claims.

As I said earlier, I am happy to see Backlund signed. I think the Flames overpaid, and if Backlund doesn't maintain that 20G/50P pace this contract is going to start stinking pretty quick. If he falls back to 30 points, we're going to have a new whipping boy.