Backlund - FO%

[Heavy Jack]

I'm starting to see that Calgary definitely needs to add size to the back end the more games I am starting to see. If we could upgrade Butler in some way with a harder nosed player who can play a top 4 role I'd be happy.

Size up front isn't as big of a problem in my mind if we can continue to out-skate the opposition like Calgary did last night.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I'm starting to see that Calgary definitely needs to add size to the back end the more games I am starting to see. If we could upgrade Butler in some way with a harder nosed player who can play a top 4 role I'd be happy.

Size up front isn't as big of a problem in my mind if we can continue to out-skate the opposition like Calgary did last night.

I dont think its an issue. Right now the Flames need their top line to produce. We have pretty much be in every game without Iginla/Cammalleri scoring.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Husky

I dont think its an issue. Right now the Flames need their top line to produce. We have pretty much be in every game without Iginla/Cammalleri scoring.

Exactly. When Iggy and Cammy finally get going I think we will be able to string some wins together... let's just hope they don't wait for too long here.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Backlund will be in either the AHL or KHL by the start of 2014.......book it.


Not my prediction BTW

The lockout may have saved "young" Backlund a reprieve until Sep. 2014. He'll put up 20+ points this year and CP will pro-rate that to 40ish in a full season.

He still looks soft on the puck, he does seem a bit more confident and luckily playing over (nm, where he belongs) in the SEL2, his conditioning is above some of the other players. We'll really see where he's at after the first 10 games of the season, when the rest of the players have removed their rust.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

The lockout may have saved "young" Backlund a reprieve until Sep. 2014. He'll put up 20+ points this year and CP will pro-rate that to 40ish in a full season.

He still looks soft on the puck, he does seem a bit more confident and luckily playing over (nm, where he belongs) in the SEL2, his conditioning is above some of the other players. We'll really see where he's at after the first 10 games of the season, when the rest of the players have removed their rust.

Where ru Chris O'Sullivan: "Never mind that I set the goalposts up here, they have now since moved significantly and my prediction should be reinterpreted accordingly."

You're ridiculous. Backlund has looked much, MUCH stronger on the puck this season than last year. The bottom line here is that he ALREADY was an NHL player before the season began, and he is continuing to improve. Even if he has benefitted some from gained "confidence," "luck", a leg up in "conditioning", and even if he is not very strong on the boards or on the puck, he is STILL a legitimate NHL player, and will not be relegated to Minor pro this year at any point this year or next.

[IgiTang]

Anyone who thinks Backlund needs to be moved or/and thinks he isnt NHL caliber is out to f***in lunch.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I'm starting to see that Calgary definitely needs to add size to the back end the more games I am starting to see. If we could upgrade Butler in some way with a harder nosed player who can play a top 4 role I'd be happy.

Size up front isn't as big of a problem in my mind if we can continue to out-skate the opposition like Calgary did last night.

Hannan was top 4 and would have definitely been on the ice in the last minute of a one goal game. He signed a 1 year 1M deal with Nashville and is playing 22 minutes a game on a team that is currently in a playoff spot.

Nashvile also has 2 other d-man at over 225 with Weber and Gil.

They also have dress McGratton for a couple of games.

Gaustaud, Fisher and Wilson all centres over 215


The Nashville team is the anti-Flames ..... It would be a great theoretical match up..... talented smurfs against lumbering tough guys..... in a seven game series I would think Nashville would win.


This would seem to be an ideal trading partner for the Flames as Nashville is not scoring many goals

[Buff]

Backlund has been a force out there this season. He has been very good on the puck and makes stuff happen. He has had a bit of bad luck the past two games, as he shot a few great chances wide of the net. Perhaps he and Wideman should trade last names, because Backlund has the recent knack to shoot the puck wide, man.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Hannan was top 4 and would have definitely been on the ice in the last minute of a one goal game. He signed a 1 year 1M deal with Nashville and is playing 22 minutes a game on a team that is currently in a playoff spot.

Nashvile also has 2 other d-man at over 225 with Weber and Gil.

They also have dress McGratton for a couple of games.

Gaustaud, Fisher and Wilson all centres over 215


The Nashville team is the anti-Flames ..... It would be a great theoretical match up..... talented smurfs against lumbering tough guys..... in a seven game series I would think Nashville would win.


This would seem to be an ideal trading partner for the Flames as Nashville is not scoring many goals

Neither are the flames...

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Neither are the flames...

We're 14th in goals/game. Nashville is dead last in the league.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

We're 14th in goals/game. Nashville is dead last in the league.

The Flames are not scoring goals because they have no grit and the Preds because they have no skill and puck moving D-men.

[rohara66]

Backlund appears to be Mathew Lombardi 2.0

Lots of skating skills and seems to move the puck around good but has absolutely zero finish…. I hope I’m wrong but seriously he needs to start burying some pucks.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Backlund appears to be Mathew Lombardi 2.0

Lots of skating skills and seems to move the puck around good but has absolutely zero finish…. I hope I’m wrong but seriously he needs to start burying some pucks.

I don't see a lot of similarities.

Backlund has much better hands and hockey sense. Yes, he has had trouble scoring in the past but it wasn't a lack of skill holding him back. Plus, two goals already this season is pretty good.

Lombardi was a better skater and that's about it.

I've always been a Backlund skeptic but he's not a Lombardi 2.0

[dammage79]

I am so disappointed that Backlund has not become our Claude Giroux.....

Seriously, Backlund is much better this year and it is nice to see he is at the very least in a scoring position compared to a season ago where he would just drift away from the front of the net. Really like his game this year.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Backlund appears to be Mathew Lombardi 2.0

Lots of skating skills and seems to move the puck around good but has absolutely zero finish…. I hope I’m wrong but seriously he needs to start burying some pucks.

Lombardi had very little playmaking ability. He was extremely fast and thus could generate some breakaways for himself but other than that was not a consistent offensive threat. He played much smaller than Backlund is playing this year.

Backlund is a much better passer, is better at cycling, and possesses much better hockey sense. He shows up in front of the net more than Lombardi did. He and his line have been fairly consistent at generating scoring chances.

I think Backlund is well on the way to becoming a solid 2nd line centre. Faceoffs could use some work still. He's made a lot of strides this year.

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

I'm starting to see that Calgary definitely needs to add size to the back end the more games I am starting to see. If we could upgrade Butler in some way with a harder nosed player who can play a top 4 role I'd be happy.

Size up front isn't as big of a problem in my mind if we can continue to out-skate the opposition like Calgary did last night.

I'd be happy to ship Butler back to Buffalo for Regehr, straight up.

I agree, we really could use a guy who plays smart physical hockey back there.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

I'd be happy to ship Butler back to Buffalo for Regehr, straight up.

I agree, we really could use a guy who plays smart physical hockey back there.

That would be awesome. Regehr is a shell of his former self but he would be a bottom pairing guy and could sit in the press box if need be. But Buffalo owes us 2nd rounder for giving them "cap relief" (Kotalik karma).

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Exactly. When Iggy and Cammy finally get going I think we will be able to string some wins together... let's just hope they don't wait for too long here.

...If they get going at all.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Lombardi had very little playmaking ability. He was extremely fast and thus could generate some breakaways for himself but other than that was not a consistent offensive threat. He played much smaller than Backlund is playing this year.

Backlund is a much better passer, is better at cycling, and possesses much better hockey sense. He shows up in front of the net more than Lombardi did. He and his line have been fairly consistent at generating scoring chances.

I think Backlund is well on the way to becoming a solid 2nd line centre. Faceoffs could use some work still. He's made a lot of strides this year.

I agree, plus we have to keep in mind that Backlund in my opinion should be getting time on the powerplay. I'm sure if that was the case, his point production would probably be higher.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I agree, plus we have to keep in mind that Backlund in my opinion should be getting time on the powerplay. I'm sure if that was the case, his point production would probably be higher.

That was one thing that really stood out to me in the last two games.

Backlund was generating a ton of chances but just did not get to see any ice on the PP. That will really limit his offensive potential this season.