Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
I Backlund has hit a wall and it's "over" then sure fourth line it is.
He's certainly had fading numbers in his last ten games. Some have said he's hurt which would add up, but if not maybe he's lost a step.
But if that's not the case then that center line up doesn't work, because you need to find one of them to take less minutes.
If Backlund is still trusted to be the shut down guy he has to play a lot to well ... shut down guys that are playing a lot.
That leaves 14 ish minutes for the other two top centers.
If you make it four guys that need ice it takes 2 more minutes away from those guys.
Don't think it works in 47 minute league.
Rooney isn't working but they need a 7.5 minute guy that can kill penalties.
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Honest question, can he do that? The PK has been atrocious all year, and it's often Backlund and Rooney out on the first cycle of forwards. I haven't dug into the numbers, but they haven't done a great job all year from what I've seen. Backlund's decline isn't just restricted to his 5 v 5 performance.
But that said, I love to dump Rooney, but for who? Who do we have that can play replacement level center on the 4th line? This is where a shrewd waiver pick up could help out, not unlike picking up Pachal last year.