Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Lime
Watching the Flames play last year, there was one thing that jumped out almost every game, and that was that Tkachuk's offensive ability far outstrips that of Backlund.
Backlund is Selke calibre defence, and average offense. That is extremely valuable, but I'm sure that there has been discussion about slotting, and how to take advantage of Tkachuk. Ideally, like it has been for the last couple of years, Backlund slots perfectly as the best third line centre in the league.
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By Selke calibre defence Do you mean the kind of guy that would make Mackinnon (or Getzlaf) a non-factor in a 7 game series?
When you slot Backlund in as a 3rd line C you do realize that his TOI drops from 18 minutes to 13 minutes and likely his pts drop from 45 to the 30 range?
Would he be as good a 3rd line centre as Ryan was last year?