Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
I saw a young Backlund which isn't Backlund Backlund.
If I tossed a poll into this I think you'd see most seeing him as a fourth liner if he doesn't get back to where he was two years ago.
Bottom six player to the vast majority is my guess.
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Pelletier is in a much tougher spot than Backlund - Backlund may not have lit the world on fire his first few years, but he was still a 6 ft 200 lb centre.
The question was more about if he would become our mythical #1C, not whether he had a role in the NHL.
Pelletier is a 160 lb left shot left wing. He plays the least valuable position on the ice.
He’s not big enough to play bottom six. Every time he tries to be physical, he’s hurt for four months.
Lots of guys have to realize they aren’t stars anymore and have to reinvent their games as more defensive minded players.
Pelletier is in the opposite scenario. He needs to show that he can be a star. He needs to show hands, vision, shiftiness, a snap shot, chemistry with Huberdeau and Sharangovich. Something. Anything.
Don’t worry about hitting anyone - focus on becoming impossible to hit, or at least impossible to hit cleanly.
That’s how he’ll stay in the league - he’s top-6 or bust.