Quote:
Originally Posted by ricardodw
This analysis would have more relevance if done for the top 16 or 20 teams as these are the team that have a reasonable chance to compete for the SC.
Doesn't help the Backlund extension in that he is a below average scorer for 2C even when counting the rebuilding teams and would likely be below the average points of the top-20 teams 3C
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He's an above average defender though as his Selke voting would indicate. He plays the toughest match ups and in the toughest situations. When you have a line that can force the opposition's top lines to defend instead of playing in the offensive zone. That's a big shift in "field" position and helps your team win hockey games.
As I posted in my original comparison a few posts up, looking at the Minnesota Wild who are the #10th ranked team in goal scoring right now; the biggest difference between them and us is the fact their forwards are getting 20 additional goals from their 9th placed goal scorer down.
In other words, their top 8 goal scorers have produced roughly the same as ours, but after that, their bottom goal scorers are destroying us. The best teams in the league have the forward depth to come at you in waves. They can throw 3 or 4 lines that are hard to defend and can contribute relative to their ice time whereas the Flames just have 2 lines that can do that.