Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
Wait, you have Hanifin and Andersson as core pieces, yet you don’t consider Backlund or Mangiapane core pieces after the playoffs performances they just had? Their line was without a doubt, the best line on the team in the playoffs and helped make the BoA at least a little competitive.
Backlund was especially good, I thought he was the best overall skater the Flames had in this year’s playoffs and not to mention the 2020 playoffs where he was also the best Flame. He just comes to play in the playoffs and the Flames need more guys like that.
Inserting those young guys isn’t even realistic with Sutter at the helm. Even Dube and Valimaki (especially the latter) had tough times just getting into the lineup and they actually had previous NHL experience prior to Darryl. Those other guys you mentioned, do not. Darryl would probably prefer to sign old veterans to take their place until they young guys are 100% ready to make significant NHL contributions.
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Hanifin and Andersson are 25 year old 1st pairing D who play in all situations. They were outstanding against Dallas and they struggled against Connor McSupersaiyan - they’re not the only ones. Cale Makar is going to struggle with that assignment too, just watch. 55 and 4 are going to get better.
Backlund is a 14 year vet. He’s wonderful and I’m glad we have him. He needs to slot the #3C, and he’s not going to get perceptibly better than he is now, given he’s been virtually the exact same player for the last eight years.
Mangiapane had a career year in a contract year. He’s undersized, and he couldn’t stick on the first PP unit ahead of Tyler Toffoli, despite ample opportunity in the second half of the season. I said it during the Eichel saga - he’s the definition of a player you sell high on.
Kylington, who I’ve always been a fan of, regressed hard after he took those massive hits. He went from a composed, agile, confident player to one who handled the puck like a live Grenade. And he was lost without Tanev. I still like him, but he isn’t a core piece.
To me, the “core” is the group you put out to tie the game with the season on the line, or to protect a one-goal advantage to close a team out.
Kylington and Mangiapane aren’t on that list, and Backlund being on it is an indictment in its own way.
It doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable players, it doesn’t mean they aren’t quality. But they’re the exact sort of mid-tier players bad teams over commit to, and I’d rather move them for Scheifele or Barzal because those guys would be on the ice to save the season.