Love, love, love Backlund. Great that he managed to play all 82 last year after countless injuries recently. Career year too and I think he really solidified his role on the team. Undeniable chemistry with Frolik too which is great going forward given Treliving's mention of having pairs of players that click.
Gaudreau/Monahan
Backlund/Frolik
Tkachuk/Bennett? or Bennett/Brouwer?
I think I'll put together the OT Wins video next, since all 9 goals have appeared in my videos already so it should be super quick to do:
Spoiler!
Gaudreau in VAN,
Gio vs DET,
Backlund vs PHI,
Mono in WSH,
Gaudreau vs CHI,
Gaudreau vs BOS,
Brodie vs NYR,
Russell from Gaudreau in NSH,
Backlund vs NSH.
You can see how much hard work goes to every goal Backlund scores. Most of his goals were from rebounds or from good passes into a wide open net. As the season went on he started lifting pucks of the ice a bit more, and was rewarded for it. Now, I sure hope he works on his shot this summer, and become even more dangerous player.
As for the video, thank you as always! They make the off season a lot more interesting.
Seriously - what's not to love about this guy? He's like the anti-Taylor Hall...so complete. So smart. 200 foot game. I bet if AC tried to make a 15/16 Low-Lights video of Backlund it'd be pretty short.
I think his strength is greatly under-rated. His skating stride is very strong and he is great battling for the puck.
If the Flames can truly turn the Frolik / Backlund pair into our 3rd line (meaning something really really good is cook'in with our 2nd line) I believe we'll start to become a top tier team. Can't think many 3rd lines in the league are better than Backs and Frolik!
Also -> players always have career years playing with Backlund. Colborne last year. Bennett did some real damage early on on his wing. Bouma the year before. It's freak'in awesome to play with Backlund.
Unrelated -> this video reminded me about Stajan playing on the wing for a couple games at the end of last season. If at some point in the next year Janko could graduate to 4th line centre I think people around here would be less ticked-off with Stajan as a winger. Yes -> he'd be getting paid too much. But I think he really has the smarts and skill to be a top-9 winger.
** Edited to say "THANK YOU AC". Flame fans are so lucky to have you on our side!!!
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Backlund's a great mix of skill, IQ, and hustle. He's not going to the be the top forward on the Flames in any one category, but he's good enough at everything to be an important contributor. He's going to be an important vet on this team with Monahan, Bennett, and Jankowski continuing to develop.
How come almost every year we seem to have these awesome shifts against the Sharks where the Flames look like the 2008 Red Wings and the Sharks look like an AHL team?
Was happy to see him have a healthy season; guy has evolved into a nice third line centre. Definitely one of the most under-appreciated guys on this time. $3.5/season is looking like a steal right now.
Was Looking for" Backlund Canuck Fan Smash" but found another reason why I LOVE Mikael. How can you not, remember when he was our best prospect besides Sven. He is true blue Calgary Flames. Love him.
Was Looking for" Backlund Canuck Fan Smash" but found another reason why I LOVE Mikael. How can you not, remember when he was our best prospect besides Sven. He is true blue Calgary Flames. Love him.
I do not remember those days, since Backs was already an established NHL'er by 2011, when Sven was drafted.
Still love the Silky Sweet Swede nonetheless.
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He had some great highlights this year. That goal against Dallas that sparked the comeback was my favorite. So much determination on display there. One of my favorite Flames, hopefully he has another strong season.
Backlund isn't the most flashy or skilled guy, but he has a pretty high hockey IQ and can make the right play at the right time, especially defensively. He tends to take a lot of low percentage shots, but he has a willingness to push straight to the net and collect rebounds and garbage goals. Looking forward to seeing more success next year!
One thing about taking low percentage shots is that they can force an offensive faceoff for a Monahan or Bennett. It's a better way to end a shift and get another line on, than to dump the puck from the red line while the other team just retrieves. Choppy, but effective. It's a persistent Darryl Sutter strategy.
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One thing about taking low percentage shots is that they can force an offensive faceoff for a Monahan or Bennett. It's a better way to end a shift and get another line on, than to dump the puck from the red line while the other team just retrieves. Choppy, but effective. It's a persistent Darryl Sutter strategy.
Good point. He can push play up ice against top competition and get an offensive faceoff with ease and it definitely makes it a lot easier for our offensive-oriented lines.
Too many Flames fans don't appreciate what we have in Backlund. He's the best 2nd line center this team has had since Langkow or Conroy. Just really good all around.
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[Video] Backlund 15/16 Highlights
