It's not that long ago that teams were graded on how great their lines were, and not individual players. Sometimes you are going to have a line that doesn't look like it has "top 6 players" by the point totals, but are absolutely dominant.
I get the Backlund argument. He is a very good player. But watching the games, he puts up a lot of points when he is either the driver of the play, or the game is at the hash marks. He would honestly get exactly the same amount of points whether he played with Tkachuk and Mangiapane, as playing with garbage men like Bennett and Lucic. That's actually a very good thing. He has shown this consistency for years.
But to take advantage of Tkachuk's sneaky quick passes from out of traffic, of which he does at least once or twice a game, someone with better hands should be in the middle. Backlund just doesn't convert these. It's no slight on him, that is just not his game.
The best possible line would have Lindholm between Tkachuk and Mangiapane.
I bet Backlund would still generate 45-50 points from the third line, because his point totals have never been a result of quick hands or elite linemates.
This isn't basketball, and individual achievements mean nothing when it comes to wins.
Just my opinion, from watching the games.
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