However, the fact of the matter in this case is that he blocked a shot with his skate turned sideways - if you regularly block shots while not remaining square, you are going to get hurt on a regular basis. He has to learn that he can't do that (as much as I love guys who are willing to do whatever it takes).
True, but the position he was in was to let the shot go through or take it sideways as he wasn't even close to being square to the shooter. As said it was an all heart move, I won't fault the guy on this one.
True, but the position he was in was to let the shot go through or take it sideways as he wasn't even close to being square to the shooter. As said it was an all heart move, I won't fault the guy on this one.
Backlund, to me, is a guy that everybody but the Flames and Flames fans have forgotten about really, and then one day you'll look at the Flames stats page late in the season and see him up there with 20 goals and 50 points and go "whoah, 25/26 year old 6'1" 210 lb center who's on pace for 60 points and is good in all three zones?? WTF? I thought he was pretty much done a couple years ago?"
At least I hope so anyways. I think he has the ability.
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Backlund, to me, is a guy that everybody but the Flames and Flames fans have forgotten about really, and then one day you'll look at the Flames stats page late in the season and see him up there with 20 goals and 50 points and go "whoah, 25/26 year old 6'1" 210 lb center who's on pace for 60 points and is good in all three zones?? WTF? I thought he was pretty much done a couple years ago?"
At least I hope so anyways. I think he has the ability.
I wholeheartedly agree. But now the question becomes:
If we believe he has the ability, what is it that is preventing him from manifesting that ability? What obstacle has presented itself? Is it his own internal expectations or limitations? Are there external restrictions being imposed upon him by management/coaching staff/circumstance?
What is it that is preventing Backlund from becoming the player that he is/was expected to be and that fans/management/staff believe him to be?
Seriously, I like Backlund, I thought he was a great pick with considerable talent. That said, I have not been proven correct yet.
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If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
I wholeheartedly agree. But now the question becomes:
If we believe he has the ability, what is it that is preventing him from manifesting that ability? What obstacle has presented itself? Is it his own internal expectations or limitations? Are there external restrictions being imposed upon him by management/coaching staff/circumstance?
What is it that is preventing Backlund from becoming the player that he is/was expected to be and that fans/management/staff believe him to be?
Seriously, I like Backlund, I thought he was a great pick with considerable talent. That said, I have not been proven correct yet.
I think Backlund's biggest problem up until this season was confidence.
A stint overseas, and a different coach now in CGY has helped him overcome the confidence problem IMO, but now he can't shake the injury bug. I was pleased when he came back after that first injury and picked up exactly where he left off, unlike last season where he had a solid pre-season, got hurt and when he came back nearly got sent down to the farm, he was so bad and lacking confidence. Was a good sign IMO.
I really think he's going to put it all together in the coming seasons, I just hope it's with the Flames.
I think Backlund's biggest problem up until this season was confidence.
A stint overseas, and a different coach now in CGY has helped him overcome the confidence problem IMO, but now he can't shake the injury bug. I was pleased when he came back after that first injury and picked up exactly where he left off, unlike last season where he had a solid pre-season, got hurt and when he came back nearly got sent down to the farm, he was so bad and lacking confidence. Was a good sign IMO.
I really think he's going to put it all together in the coming seasons, I just hope it's with the Flames.
Well, hes going to have to sort himself out really quick, because I think the patience with him is just about gone.
And I hope he does sort it out and stick with this team, but if he doesnt, it isnt the end of the world, as a Calgary Flame he has not contributed a whole ton.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
I fear that Backlund is losing a lot of development time. It's a good thing that he came into camp full of confidence. There are just too many guys who for whatever reasons didn't get a chance to establish themselves early on in their careers and never do.
Backlund, to me, is a guy that everybody but the Flames and Flames fans have forgotten about really, and then one day you'll look at the Flames stats page late in the season and see him up there with 20 goals and 50 points and go "whoah, 25/26 year old 6'1" 210 lb center who's on pace for 60 points and is good in all three zones?? WTF? I thought he was pretty much done a couple years ago?"
At least I hope so anyways. I think he has the ability.
Well, hes going to have to sort himself out really quick, because I think the patience with him is just about gone.
And I hope he does sort it out and stick with this team, but if he doesnt, it isnt the end of the world, as a Calgary Flame he has not contributed a whole ton.
What makes you say that? He's a young player who has struggled with injuries. It's not like he's lazy, or doesn't take direction, or shows up to training camp overweight every year.
If anything, what he's shown to start this year would buy him a lot of patience from the Flames. He's a young guy still, not every player reaches their ceiling at 22 years old.
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What makes you say that? He's a young player who has struggled with injuries. It's not like he's lazy, or doesn't take direction, or shows up to training camp overweight every year.
If anything, what he's shown to start this year would buy him a lot of patience from the Flames. He's a young guy still, not every player reaches their ceiling at 22 years old.
1 year contract.
That usually indicates that management requires convincing.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
That usually indicates that management requires convincing.
That's the thing, though. The year before he broke his finger in training camp and missed the first six-weeks of the season. Then he got injured against the Canucks mid-February and his year was over.
How do you evaluate a player's progress after a year like that? My view is signing him to a one-year deal is an acknowledgement that 2011-12 was a write-off due to the injuries, and that he if he can put in a full season the next year they'll be able to reward him accordingly while he's still a RFA.
Right. I forgot that he had to take a pay-cut to even get that 1 year deal.
The powers that be are not convinced of Backlund yet and that deal was the proof.
Yes and no.
He and his agent traded NHL dollars for a one way deal, it was pretty smart actually. The Flames gave up the option of the reduced salary option and Backlund gave up the NHL dollars to try and establish himself.
Good move for both sides really. Too bad injuries scuttled it (and a lockout).
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So does Blair Jones get the call up? or does Cervenka or Horak get another chance?
My guess is Cervenka is in for the next game on Monday. He will be on a short leash. If he does not rise to the occasion, they will probably call someone up from the heat for the Thursday game.
I wholeheartedly agree. But now the question becomes:
If we believe he has the ability, what is it that is preventing him from manifesting that ability? What obstacle has presented itself? Is it his own internal expectations or limitations? Are there external restrictions being imposed upon him by management/coaching staff/circumstance?
What is it that is preventing Backlund from becoming the player that he is/was expected to be and that fans/management/staff believe him to be?
Seriously, I like Backlund, I thought he was a great pick with considerable talent. That said, I have not been proven correct yet.
He's been manifesting that ability all season when he's been healthy. He's clearly turned the corner this year. He's been a very effective player and he's shown he'll be a top two line centre. His strength is improved, his confidence is up. He always had the skill and skating. Not sure why you're still unsold on him.
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Well, hes going to have to sort himself out really quick, because I think the patience with him is just about gone.
And I hope he does sort it out and stick with this team, but if he doesnt, it isnt the end of the world, as a Calgary Flame he has not contributed a whole ton.
Well you certainly have an interesting view of things. He's contributed a lot this year and his importance to our lineup was shown when he was out.
I'd say there's no need for patience for him now, he's clearly turned a corner. The question is no longer can he be good but instead how great will he be?
IMO he's one of the few building blocks of this franchise long term along with Brodie and Sven. I think you can easily pencil him in as one of our top two centres for years.
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