Horak on fire in Abby

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Wasn't Ren for Phaneuf being traded?

Yeah, it wasn't Ren, it was someone else and I don't believe they ever manned up and ate pubes for it. Hahaha.

Somebody had it in their sig, not sure if they still do.

Originally Posted by Locke

Hes got 46 points in 138 NHL games in 4 seasons and he is very oft injured.

Have to remember Backlund is 23 and 138 NHL games isn't even 2 full seasons. I think he will turn into a good player for this team as soon as the NHL comes back as long as he gets some better luck on the injury front.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I've been watching Horak alot and all of his goals have been within 6 or 7 feet of the net. He's smart beyond his years and his goal total right now is a testament to always being the right place at the right time.

EDIT - Eff you Erixon. Karma's a biotch.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

I keep reading this thought on here, reminds me of how many people thought Giordano would also never play in the NHL again, hell one poster was so sure he went so far as to say he would eat his pubes if Gio ever played another game in the NHL. Now he is arguably our best D man.

I think Backlund is highly underrated around here and people will be eating pubes.

I just haven't seen enough out of him to declare that he can be a regular every day player in the NHL. I like his attitude, but he just doesn't put it all together.

[Vulcan]

Yeah, Horak doesn't have the flash like Baertschi but he's playing smart. As for Backlund, why give up an asset for nothing? When the NHL resumes, we'll see where and if he fits. I still say he has potential to help our team.

[Huntingwhale]

Great trade by Feaster to get Horak in the organization. As happy as I was to see him make the big team last year, he eventually did get in over his head and I think it would have been better to have him with the Heat all last season. I really hope Horak can become a diamond in the rough. Most people project him to be a bottom 6 forward in the NHL if he is lucky. But how awesome would it be to have a top 6 versatile forward come out of nowhere, and make an impact? I have a dream. And that dream is for Roman Horak to become that impact player.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Great trade by Feaster to get Horak in the organization. As happy as I was to see him make the big team last year, he eventually did get in over his head and I think it would have been better to have him with the Heat all last season. I really hope Horak can become a diamond in the rough. Most people project him to be a bottom 6 forward in the NHL if he is lucky. But how awesome would it be to have a top 6 versatile forward come out of nowhere, and make an impact? I have a dream. And that dream is for Roman Horak to become that impact player.

Credit goes to Conroy for scouting out Horak and insisting Feaster goes after him. Credit to Feaster for listening to his crew.

[you got PHANUEFED]

A year in the AHL is going to make Horak that much better when he challanges for a top 6 FW.

[Five-hole]

Horak has great hands in close (remember his first NHL goal?) and good hockey sense on both sides of the puck. His downside is that his skillset is really suited to a gritty 3rd line center, but he lacks size for that role.

I see his upside as a Sammy Pahlsson type, which would be fantastic.

[Vulcan]

How Horak made the team last year reminds me of Lombardi. He was kept because of the injury situation and got enough of a taste to make the most of it. He seems to be a very determined guy.

[Locke]

And to continue with the comparison in regards to the development arcs between Backlund and Horak during this lockout year:

AHL >> Allsvenskan

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by kermitology

I just haven't seen enough out of him to declare that he can be a regular every day player in the NHL. I like his attitude, but he just doesn't put it all together.

Yeah, fair enough. The thing is i've seen flashes of brilliance from the guy and I really do think with a season uninterrupted by injury will make a believer out of many that don't think much of him at this point.

I think his hockey sense/vision, creativity, and how defensively responsible he is underrated by Flames fans.

That said, I also thought Dustin Boyd was going to be a real NHLer too.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ya but
Anze Kopitar >> Michael Backlund and
Backlund Performance this year >> Kopitars

Well, now we've just gone full circle and I dont know what to think.

Kopitar is just mailing it in.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Horak has great hands in close (remember his first NHL goal?) and good hockey sense on both sides of the puck. His downside is that his skillset is really suited to a gritty 3rd line center, but he lacks size for that role.

I see his upside as a Sammy Pahlsson type, which would be fantastic.

Horak has smarts and a solid work ethic, which are exactly the qualities you need to make up for size. Plus at 6'0 he's not small either.

I see his upside as a second line / utility player. One of those coaches favourites who can fill in anywhere in the top 9 and provide reliable (but rarely dazzling) secondary scoring.

[Parallex]

As nice as it is to see Horak off to such a nice start I'll be the negative nancy and point out that it's a result of an unsustainable shooting % of 26.9. He'll regress to the mean as the season goes forward. He's still a decent hockey player and I think he's added some much needed bulk (at least I thought so looking at him on the 1 game they've televised). I think he'll ultimately be a solid third liner for us.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well, now we've just gone full circle and I dont know what to think.

Kopitar is just mailing it in.

I doubt he's mailing it in. Some players just thrive when the quality of the hockey is very high; others are great so long as the hockey isn't too high level. You see this all the time with European players moving between Europe and the NHL. Suddenly a great European scorer has no time and space in the NHL and can't adjust. And some other European scorer performs even better in a high-paced game because it really brings out his abilities.

[Henry Fool]

Tough to say about Horak. I really liked him from the start. He's super smart. I think Sutter had him on a leash, so with a different coach he might still make a second-liner in the NHL.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Parallex

As nice as it is to see Horak off to such a nice start I'll be the negative nancy and point out that it's a result of an unsustainable shooting % of 26.9. He'll regress to the mean as the season goes forward. He's still a decent hockey player and I think he's added some much needed bulk (at least I thought so looking at him on the 1 game they've televised). I think he'll ultimately be a solid third liner for us.

What, you don't think Horak is going to score 80 goals this season? Oh, the horror, the negativity!

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Not sure why people are in such a rush to give up on young players. I'd rather have all the young centremen we can in the organization. It is good news on both Horak and Backlund so far this year.

[Vinny01]

Way way too early to give up on Backlund. Last season was a lost year due to injury and he is still only 23. I still believe he can be a 50+ pt guy he has the skill he just needs consistency and confidence

[Locke]

Originally Posted by fotze

The stats are definitely not a sure thing for Backlund, but I remember prior to coming to Canada, he was putting up under half a point per game for Vasteras, now its point and half.

I was kind of expecting crappy stats again TBQH and that he has great stats was a nice suprise.

I'll agree with that. Seeing Flames players do well wherever they're playing is always a good sign and having Horak and Backlund both doing well is good.

I was letting my inherent pessimism express itself.

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Not sure why people are in such a rush to give up on young players. I'd rather have all the young centremen we can in the organization. It is good news on both Horak and Backlund so far this year.

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Way way too early to give up on Backlund. Last season was a lost year due to injury and he is still only 23. I still believe he can be a 50+ pt guy he has the skill he just needs consistency and confidence

I wouldnt say 'given up on' but the Flames only offered Backlund a 1 year contract for a reason. I'd imagine to give him a chance to prove that he needs to play better if he wants to be paid more. They may not be ready to give up on him, but I doubt his spot in the organization is as assured as it was once thought to be.