Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbsy
I just feel like backlund has taken a step back. He isn't the same 2-way guy we saw when he was pivoting the massively successful 3M line.
With monahan getting to replacement level, the center depth on the team is putrid after Lindholm.
The primary target to improve the team has to be center. Unfortunately, that's the hardest position to improve.
That Brodie/kadri swap could have been such a massive deal for the franchise. Grr
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I think for Backlund, it’s more so about about his confidence. I’ve seen a lot of good games from him this season and he’s still playing very well defensively. So I haven’t personally seen a drop off in ability. He’s extremely snake bitten from what I’ve seen though. Lots of chances, just no finish which has sort of plagued him forever.
My belief is that he needs to play a cycle game and he needs players he can cycle the puck with. That’s Mangiapane and Matthew Tkachuk. This was a great line. Problem is Matthew is doing very well on the top line, so I’d prefer not to split them up just to get this line going. So it comes down to Treliving in my opinion, can he find someone on the market who can be that Tkachuk to Backlund-Mangiapane. If he can, then this team might just have a chance.