Let's Talk About: Mikael Backlund

[Bourque's Twin]

When the Flames first drafted Backlund, I was very excited. He was immediately the best forward prospect that the Flames had. However, he had difficulty making the lineup full time. I will admit that last year and the year before I thought Backlund should be packaged in a trade for a quality 1st or 2nd line forward because he didn't fit into the lineup.

This year, I've seen an entirely new player. He gives it his all every shift and he plays a great 2-way game.

I believe he has the potential to be a very solid 2nd line centre with 60 point potential. He's the type of player that the Flames need going forward.

Please discuss how you see him fitting into the organization going forward.

[DuffMan]

I'll just quote what I put in the GT a couple of minutes ago.

Originally Posted by DuffMan

I must say Backland is impressing me. He seems to be getting stronger, better, smarter. Awhile ago I was thinking he may be another Fata Lombardi player, but now I have hope he may actually become good.

[Stormchaser]

Kinda Daymond Langkow-ish to me with a little more pop and less consistency. I wouldn't give up on him especially after what we are seeing this year.

[bluck]

Baertschi, Backlund, Byron, Brodie, Butler... the "B" Line?

Backlund is awesome, really impressed this year.

[Caged Great]

I view Backlund as a guy who can be a 50-60 point placeholder 1st/2nd line Center while we rebuild. At some point when guys that haven't been drafted as of yet start getting ready to take spots, it might make sense to deal him for something in another area of need, but that is a very if maybe kind of thing to evaluate in a couple seasons.

[Fire in the disco]

Feasters gotta re-sign him. 2 years 2 mil a season. Get er done

[J epworth]

I still hope he reaches the high end of his potential, and I know stats don't tell the story, but even so, I like pointing out the eerily similar numbers that Backlund and Kesler have had in their first few pro seasons:

Ryan Kesler:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p....php?pid=67780


Mikael Backlund:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p...php?pid=104255


Note that by the time Kesler was 24 he was playing at around 0.5 points per game, which Backlund is matching so far this year, but who knows if he would have kept this pace in an 82 game season (though his play since coming back from injury has been very consistent). I just find it very curious that 2 players that have similar strengths in their game, both high profile prospects at their respective time for their teams, have had such similar numbers in their first few seasons. Here's hoping Backlund can finally start playing 82 games and continue his trend similarly to Kesler, as it was his season when he was 25 years old when he finally broke out as a top player for the Canucks.

[Fire in the disco]

Originally Posted by bluck

Baertschi, Backlund, Byron, Brodie, Butler... the "B" Line?

Backlund is awesome, really impressed this year.

Butler makes that more of a C- line

[JurassicTunga12]

Really happy with his play this season. Better re-sign him

[MoreDrank]

Plus, Backlund is seemingly the only full-time NHL guy in his mid-20s on the Flames currently. Can't ice a team with just "Post Apex" players and fresh 20 year olds going forward.

[albertGQ]

He's RFA after this season right? Not UFA?

If so, then I wouldn't be worried about re-signing him

[Calgary4LIfe]

I really love Backlund. He is the type of player you win with in today's NHL. I think he will eventually be a very strong 2nd line center. Really like his game, and every now and then he does something pretty special.

I just hope he stops having those freak injuries! If he stays healthy, I think we have only started to see how good he is.

[Dienasty]

Please remember before the trades he wasn't getting any pp time, with some pp time he would be probably on pace for 60ish points in a full season.

I think if jankowski, mackinnon, reinhart become our three centers I would be more then happy to shift him to the wing. I am a huge backlund fan, as most of you can attest to from my posts at the beginning of the season.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

I see him being the first line centre on the Flames for a few years.

Thats not meant to bash the Flames, or to make Backlund sound super-awesome. But I think he'll fit nicely into Calgary's usual pattern of not-super-awesome 1st line centres, as exemplified by guys like Conroy, Lombardi, Langkow (except the one year where he was super-awesome), and Stajan. All of whom are solid character guys that id be glad to have on an NHL team, preferably in the middle-6.

So in summary, I like Backlund.
Plus I think he really hates the Canucks. Thats the kind of thing i mean when im talking about character.

[Trailer Fire]

Sorry if this has been asked it posted before, but what have his previous injuries been? MCL and finger were the last two. Before that? Does he have history of certain injuries? I have 0 experience with ACL or MCL injuries, can they be problems later?

[atb]

I think Backlund should have been on Feaster's "untouchable" list. IMO he's taken a huge step this year, and would have had a career year if it wasn't for injuries. Hopefully he can get a full season in next year. Definitely one of the players I'm excited about going forward.

[Mattman]

I hope he stays a big part of this team for a long time. Deffinately a strong 1/2 line centre if he keeps up

[Joborule]

Backlund been one of the bright spots on the club this year. Definitely a player that you want to keep and hope continues to progress during the rebuild.

[Phanuthier]

I'd just like to say, I've always had faith.

Backlund is awesome. He's having a great season (despite injuries)

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I'd just like to say, I've always had faith.

Backlund is awesome. He's having a great season (despite injuries)

Me too

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=123481