Backlund - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Joker · 10-22-2013, 04:39 PM

Alright. I am just curious where everybody is on this guy. I feel like I'm constantly 'squinting' to see the good in him, but am constantly frustrated while watching him play. Against the Kings last night he was actually thrown off of the puck, by MATT FRATTIN! This lead to a good scoring chance against. That is just the latest example that sticks out in my mind. There are many moments in many games where I am really displeased by his play. Im not looking to shovel Sh*t on the guy, but I am curious if I am out to lunch or just not getting it when it comes to Backlund. I dont know why, but I always end up with the mind-set of "give him some more time". Is this because he was a first round pick?

Thoughts?

Soliak · 10-22-2013, 04:41 PM

There was a period in the game last night where he stole the puck off the Kings 4 times in one shift, but was letdown by his teammates (hence having to re-steal it).

I have been impressed with him this season. He is our strongest centre at present.

theinfinitejar · 10-22-2013, 04:41 PM

He's been awesome. That Matt Frattin incident is the only bad play I can think of this year. If you don't see how good Backlund's been I question your ability to evaluate hockey players.

Cali Panthers Fan · 10-22-2013, 04:42 PM

I can feel the footsteps of Where R U Chris O'Sullivan? thundering toward this thread. Be prepared for the trolling of a lifetime everyone!!!

Tyler · 10-22-2013, 04:42 PM

I think we were expecting too much from him as a first rounder.

He's going to end up being a decent 3rd liner who plays a good defensive game and can chip in with 10-15 goals a year. I'll take that over a Matt Pelech or Kris Chucko.

CubicleGeek · 10-22-2013, 04:43 PM

The kid was all over the ice last night and played a solid 2-way game. He's been good all season. I am hoping his hard work will start showing up on the score board.

CaptainCrunch · 10-22-2013, 04:43 PM

He's been one of the Flames better forwards this year, especially without the puck. I don't know what you're seeing, but I don't see it.

ah123 · 10-22-2013, 04:43 PM

I have been very impressed by Backlund this year. His work in the defensive zone has really improved over last year and he is constantly driving the play into the offensive zone.

Cali Panthers Fan · 10-22-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker

Alright. I am just curious where everybody is on this guy. I feel like I'm constantly 'squinting' to see the good in him, but am constantly frustrated while watching him play. Against the Kings last night he was actually thrown off of the puck, by MATT FRATTIN! This lead to a good scoring chance against. That is just the latest example that sticks out in my mind. There are many moments in many games where I am really displeased by his play. Im not looking to shovel Sh*t on the guy, but I am curious if I am out to lunch or just not getting it when it comes to Backlund. I dont know why, but I always end up with the mind-set of "give him some more time". Is this because he was a first round pick?

Thoughts?

That was a penalty that wasn't called. Backlund was our best all-around forward last night. His career trajectory is that of a solid 2nd line or AMAZING 3rd line centerman.

renny · 10-22-2013, 04:45 PM

I think you're out to lunch a bit... Backlund has been working hard and he's tenacious on the forecheck. Backlund is doing all the little things that may not show up on the stat sheet but does have a positive impact on the overall team. Backlund has also started to become a really solid 2-way centerman that's working really hard on both sides of the puck.

I love what he's doing and I hope he keeps doing it and improving.

The Yen Man · 10-22-2013, 04:45 PM

I think Backlund will top out as a Langkow or a Langkow-lite. I'm ok with it, as you need good 2 way forwards. He's never going to be a high skilled forward.

BigFlameDog · 10-22-2013, 04:45 PM

Are we talking about Mikael Backlund?

Or Johan Backlund....that would be off topic but yeah I am disappointed in him.

Hustle · 10-22-2013, 04:46 PM

Expectations were high for him and I don't think he'll ever meet them. He's not flashy but he's turning into one of those centres you need to win in this league. He's going to play a big part for this team when we turn the corner.

I still think there's second line upside there but at worst he can anchor a tough minutes third line going forward.

Nehkara · 10-22-2013, 04:48 PM

I love watching him play. Right from the start of camp he has been very good. He almost always does good things with the puck. He works hard, makes good plays, and is responsible. He is not a powerhouse offensively but I think he could do pretty well in that area if he had good linemates and more experience.

He is a good player. What is it costing us to have him here? Dude is ALREADY an awesome 3rd line center and may someday move up, and he costs $1.5 million.

Calgary4LIfe · 10-22-2013, 04:48 PM

I noticed two very good plays by Backlund - him coming back HARD and fast on the backcheck, and diving to get his stick in the way of the puck. Fantastic play.

The other was when he beat the LA kings defencemen (I think it was Doughty) on the forecheck, and Doughty ended up having to hook him. He drew that penalty because he beat Doughty in on the forecheck, and he didn't stop skating.

You won't notice Backlund's offence. He creates a lot it seems, but players don't really take advantage of it for some reason. What he does is drive possession and eat a lot of minutes for the Flames, while facing some high quality of competition. If his face-off ability improves, he will become a very, very effective 3rd line center.

He has speed to burn and is a very intelligent player out there. He also has some occasional flashes of offensive brilliance, and hopefully those start rising to the surface more.

What he appears to me is a fantastic 2-way forward that is a forechecking/backchecking fiend with a non-stop motor and great speed.

HighLifeMan · 10-22-2013, 04:48 PM

In my opinion he is our best three zone player. I am consistently impressed with him night in, night out.
His offensive game can still use some work, but he has really become a hound on the puck.

I find it hilarious that NHL.com has only credited him with three takeaways all season. I counted more than that by him in the first period last night alone. Shows you how completely unreliable a large portion of those statistics truly are.

CaptainCrunch · 10-22-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I think Backlund will top out as a Langkow or a Langkow-lite. I'm ok with it, as you need good 2 way forwards. He's never going to be a high skilled forward.

I would be very happy with that. Langkow was probably one of the most consistent players in the NHL during his time. He was also extremely good without the puck and had a ton of heart. Its a shame that his neck injury finished him off.

indes · 10-22-2013, 04:50 PM

I'm pretty happy with where Backlund is at, he's reading and driving the play out there. Short handed goal on the sharks anyone?

Cali Panthers Fan · 10-22-2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

In my opinion he is our best three zone player. I am consistently impressed with him night in, night out.
His offensive game can still use some work, but he has really become a hound on the puck.

I find it hilarious that NHL.com has only credited him with three takeaways all season. I counted more than that by him in the first period last night alone. Shows you how completely unreliable a large portion of those statistics truly are.

That's truly ridiculous. I counted 3 on one shift alone last night (2nd period I believe). I have no idea what the criteria is for a takeaway anymore.

strombad · 10-22-2013, 04:53 PM

Out to lunch for sure. Backlund, for maybe the first time in his career (though you could see it on the horizon last season) has been playing a REALLY solid game. I don't know whether the disappointed people want him to be flashy, high scoring, or whatever, but you're not going to get that with him. He works hard, puts the effort in, and is definitely our best center.

As others have said, he's not going to be that first line guy, but he's already a good 2nd line guy and if he can up that to great? We're laughing.

I think expectations of him were high, and maybe he didn't live up to the player some of us thought he'd be, but we still got a really valuable member of the team. Players like Backlund aren't big draws, but they're also terribly hard to acquire through trade.

He's done good by me.