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Originally Posted by PepsiFree
Teams rarely have all four lines playing the same number of minutes on average anyway. So I don’t think it’s simple math where if Backlund gets 13 then his linemates get 13 and another line all gets 11. A lot of teams have a star playing 15+, a few guys at 14+, 13+, 12+, 11+ and then a couple tweeners at the 10-9 range.
Lines rarely even stay the same for an entire game, let alone a whole season.
St.Louis, by the way had 7 different regulars playing less than 12 minutes a night, so I don’t totally buy the argument that 6 guys playing less than 12 minutes is going to neuter them. They made the playoffs, we didn’t.
Backlund is probably over-playing as it is. Most guys who played 14+ EV and 2+ SH are guys who are outscoring him by 10-40 points. That’s with similar PP time. Reducing his minutes by 1-2 per game EV based on where he’s at today makes a lot of sense.
You can call it whatever line # you want, but I think there’s a valid argument around reducing his ice time and rethinking the 4th line. Even if it’s keeping him on the 3rd line, opening up some time for the 4th line, and filling it with guys like Pospisil, Klapka, and another rookie vs having Lomberg (who I love) and a couple AHL tweeners run around for 8 minutes, I think that’s the route to go.
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We just keep going around and around.
You play Backlund less when a) he's less effective or b) you have a younger suitable replacement.
I have no problem with either of those options.
But the Flames have four lines and four centers on any given night and they likely land with 48 to 49 minutes of total five on five hockey.
Elite players say they need to play to feel it so taking it away from Kadri will likely hurt his production.
Taking it away from Backlund will likely expose your team to more unprotected minutes from elite opposition.
I don't see much point in arguing either of those simple facts.
And then the other issue is the third line and how do you get Zary and Frost (or others) minutes to see if they have future top six potential down the middle.
I'm not dictating anything. But the group that thought Backlund should just go to the fourth line haven't though through either of a) the time that fourth lines generally get and b) his current level of affectiveness.