Quote:
Originally Posted by Kovaz
I'm a huge Backlund fan and I absolutely don't think we should trade him, but purely on defensive ability Bergeron is head-and-shoulders above Backlund. Backlund's more of a new-age shutdown player where it's his elite transition and cycle game that keeps opponents off the scoresheet. Purely based on own-zone play I take Bergeron every day of the week.
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So I like this comparison for sure but the one interesting thing is that in limited head to head play over the last 3 season Backlund comes out on top.
In the last three seasons Backlund + Tkachuk have played 6 games against Marchand and Bergeron.
In those games they've played 38 minutes head to head at 5v5 and 36 minutes where Backlund and Tkachuk were not on the ice.
In the 38 minutes Backlund vs Bergeron played head to head the Flames were:
CF%: 52.6%
GF: 3
GA: 1
xGF%: 52%
So Backlund actually gets the better of him head to head.
Similar story against McDavid and Draisaitl.
Backlund has played 40 minutes at 5v5 against McDavid and Draisaitl over the last three seasons. Over those minutes the Flames are:
CF%: 58.8%
GF: 3
GA: 0
xGF%: 58.9%
In that same time McDavid and Draisaitl have played 70 minutes without Backlund on the ice. In those minutes the Flames are:
CF%: 46.2%
GF: 1
GA: 5
xGF%: 39.5%
That right there shows you the value of Backlund and why he shouldn't be traded. We can put him against the best centers in the league and he comes out on top.