Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
48th highest paid centre. 40th highest scoring centre. Tied in points with Colorado’s 2C. One point less than the Isles’ 2C. More than the Wild 2C.
|
Everyone is praising the Eriksson-Ek signing because he's such a solid defensive centreman. Anyone who's watched him the last few years know he plays almost identically to Backlund, they even skate the exact same
I feel Backlunds never got his due as one of the best shutdown centres in the league year after year, he should be in the Selke conversation the same way Eriksson-Ek was. I'm happy Eriksson-Ek got attention this year, but Backlund has had just as good or better seasons for nearly a decade playing the same role
Even this season, Backlund had 32 points Eriksson-Ek had 30 with more games played than Backlund. It's not just about points, but Backlund has consistently played against teams #1 centres and he holds his own every night