Backing Backlund

[FlameZilla]

With 6 points in his last 3 games Mikael Backlund has matched his previous career-best in points (25). With 11 goals he has now set a new personal best, and in 20 fewer games. It seems he's really stepped up his game since Hartley gave him the 'A' on his jersey.

Considering the amount of abuse people on here were giving him earlier this season I think it's about time we acknowledged his improved play. Can most people see how important he is to the team, or are haters just gonna hate?

Good on ya Backs!

[Caged Great]

The player he reminds me the most of is Alex Steen prior to this season. Just a guy that does everything well at both ends of the ice. It is nice to see him coming into his own. He should get 16-17 goals and closer to 40 points this season, which is a nice bump. Maybe next season if he continues on, he might be able to put up 50ish points.

[jg13]

i'm loving the player Backlund is becoming by far playing the best hockey of his career and with Mikael I feel its always been a confidence thing.

Right now he is confident therefore he's consistent. but what happens if he goes 3 games without a point? Curious to see what happens and wishing him all the best

[Vulcan]

Maybe I'm missing something but other than the one poster always predicting he'll be in the KHL next year, I haven't noticed a lot of hate towards Backlund.

[dying4acup]

3yrs 6-8M?

[Cole436]

#backingbacklund

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Maybe I'm missing something but other than the one poster always predicting he'll be in the KHL next year, I haven't noticed a lot of hate towards Backlund.

It was really bad a month or so into the season. It seemed like a lot of posters were dog-piling on the guy, wishing he'd be traded etc.

Anyways, I hope he keeps it up. He seems to have gotten Stempniak firing again, which is pretty huge for this team.

[irrevocable]

Yeah he's had a good stretch here. I hope it continues. I'm with the other posters who remain silent.. meaning, we wanna see more. Show us consistency.. grab it, rock it, and run with it. I hope Backlund does just that. It would not, however, surprise me if (when) he falls back to earth. Seriously, stop the irrational hate of Backlund.. but also, stop the rallying around him just because he's had a good run here. It's ####ing annoying.

[Da_Chief]

Has Backs made himself one of the core pieces or is he a transition player through the rebuild?

Monahan
Backlund
Stajan
Knight

Maybe but if get game breaking wingers, this center group could work.

[FAN]

I think Backlund has developed into a solid NHL player. Unfortunately, he hasn't played an NHL playoff game to get a better sense of how good he is. He's one of those players who you like to have on the team but you don't want to overpay because he's simply not that good.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Has Backs made himself one of the core pieces or is he a transition player through the rebuild?
...

I think he has. At 24, he's just getting into the best years of a hockey career for most players, and as pointed out in other posts, with him there has probably been a confidence problem, as well.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by jg13

i'm loving the player Backlund is becoming by far playing the best hockey of his career and with Mikael I feel its always been a confidence thing.

Right now he is confident therefore he's consistent. but what happens if he goes 3 games without a point? Curious to see what happens and wishing him all the best

The older you get, and the longer you play at a certain level, the more certain you are in the back of your mind you belong there.

The more hot streaks he has like the current one, the less he'll worry next time he hits a dry spell.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by irrevocable

Yeah he's had a good stretch here. I hope it continues. I'm with the other posters who remain silent.. meaning, we wanna see more. Show us consistency.. grab it, rock it, and run with it. I hope Backlund does just that. It would not, however, surprise me if (when) he falls back to earth. Seriously, stop the irrational hate of Backlund.. but also, stop the rallying around him just because he's had a good run here. It's ####ing annoying.

Really? Sounds like being a sports fan maybe not your thing.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

3yrs 6-8M?

if he was an oiler he get the standrard contract - 6 yrs at 6 million per

[EVERLAST]

well all he has to do now is get Burke to like him since he cannot skate.

I really hope he can keep an "A" and be given top line minutes as hes really come into his own the past 2 seasons under Bob

[Poe969]

I will openly say I was on board with trading him before. I'm glad I was wrong because he's really come into his own and proving he can be a good piece coming forward.

I think he's doing really well and I hope he gets even better!

[foshizzle11]

How does a professional NHLer improve his skating ability? What can be done at this point of his career? I personally don't see it. I guess he could be faster but he doesn't look slow out there.

[strombad]

I think Backlund's play also speaks to the value of a coach sending a player to the press box. Backlund wasn't playing great, and after sitting out a few games he obviously got the wakeup call and has been on a tear for the past two months.

He's good by me. I had always hoped he would put it together in a big way and it seems like he's doing just that.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

if he was an oiler he get the standrard contract - 6 yrs at 6 million per

I hear 6x6 a lot. The standard is 7 years at $6M/year. That's what RNH and Hall signed for. Eberle is the only one that signed a 6x6 deal.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by strombad

I think Backlund's play also speaks to the value of a coach sending a player to the press box. Backlund wasn't playing great, and after sitting out a few games he obviously got the wakeup call and has been on a tear for the past two months.

He's good by me. I had always hoped he would put it together in a big way and it seems like he's doing just that.

He was playing just fine. Sitting him was not the cause of his improved play.

He talked to his old Swedish coach for advice and this is what got him scoring more, less worried about his mistakes.

Tough love wasn't the trick.