Backing Backlund

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Indeed I should qualify my post for those who know exactly what I mean, but wish to avoid it.

The fact stands nevertheless, that Backs (yes - victim to bad teams as well) puts up 90%++ of his production when the team is an afterthought in the standings.

It is no coincidence when the games have meaning, someone is playing 8 mins / night, occupying the 4th line or watching from the pressbox.

The Flames are playing against teams who's most meaningful games right now, and Backlund is playing his best hockey when the other team are most amped up. So quality of competition is higher now than it was in the first quarter.

As for internal pressure, I actually see the point you are trying to make, but is not applicable to this team or this situation. Every player minus a small few, on the Flames are playing for jobs and their Nhl careers all season long. This includes Backlund. So these games mean tones to him as an individual, even if the Flames aren't in the hunt themselves. So there is plenty of "pressure" on Backlund.

So your very manufactured argument that tries to pretend the fist quarter of the season was the "pressure" point for the Flames is flawed and not at all relevant. Fair if you want to say Backlund hasn't proven he can perform in a playoff drive of in the playoffs, but what are going to do, he hasn't proven the won't perform in that situation either.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by kirant

I wonder if the story shifts if the Flames become a contender.

"Well, of course he's putting up points. Even I could be on this roster and get 20 goals playing with [x] and [y] on the 2nd line."

Wait, did "Where ru Chris O'Sullivan" really thank this post?

That's about as close to admitting to trolling as he can get, without actually saying "I'm trolling!".

[Enoch Root]

I think Where ru Chris O'Sullivan is actually Backlund himself, and he is an evil genius

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I think Where ru Chris O'Sullivan is actually Backlund himself, and he is an evil genius

Really? I think Where ru Chris O'Sullivan is actually a delta bravo and is considering selling his soul to the dark one (no, not Kevin Lowe, the other dark one) so Backlund will suffer a career ending injury, and he can freely post here again without ridicule. I suspect that Where ru Chris O'Sullivan has invested in a trip to Haiti and owns several voodoo dolls fashioned in Backlund's likeness. He spends every game jamming every sharp object he can find into the dolls but Backlund prevails just to spite Where ru Chris O'Sullivan.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by New Era

Really? I think Where ru Chris O'Sullivan is actually a delta bravo and is considering selling his soul to the dark one (no, not Kevin Lowe, the other dark one) so Backlund will suffer a career ending injury, and he can freely post here again without ridicule. I suspect that Where ru Chris O'Sullivan has invested in a trip to Haiti and owns several voodoo dolls fashioned in Backlund's likeness. He spends every game jamming every sharp object he can find into the dolls but Backlund prevails just to spite Where ru Chris O'Sullivan.

No, I was joking

[$ven27]

As was he.

[Zulu29]

Couldn't be happier with the kind of season Backs is having. Almost at the 20 goal, 40 point mark and wearing an "A". He's found a new gear this year. Can't ask for much more than that.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by moon

I don't know what his coach would know, but considering Hartley is an idiot I would say not much. I do know that when Eakins praised his guys many people laughed about it and talked about that is what coaches say about his guys.

Hartley is a great motivator and teacher for young NHL ready players. Can you imagine if Brent Sutter was given a shot at coaching Monahan? Horak would be taking his minutes, Stajan would still be on the 4th line, Butler would be struggling through top pairing minutes, and the Flames wouldn't be any higher in the standings anyway.

You hate Hartley personally as much as I hated Sutter's crappy NHL coaching.

[theg69]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Indeed I should qualify my post for those who know exactly what I mean, but wish to avoid it.

The fact stands nevertheless, that Backs (yes - victim to bad teams as well) puts up 90%++ of his production when the team is an afterthought in the standings.

It is no coincidence when the games have meaning, someone is playing 8 mins / night, occupying the 4th line or watching from the pressbox.

We should just stop feeding the troll. Fact is that games are actually harder to play in down the stretch as teams gear up for the playoffs and try to solidify their positions. Just because the Flames have nothing to play for doesn't necessarily apply to the teams they are playing.

Backlund has been noticeable for several months now, even well before the Flames were considered an afterthought, so your statement is garbage. Personally, I love the way he has been playing lately and some people tend to forget how young is, so he can still improve. I think he is a quality 2/3rd line center with upside and is a big part of our future.

You seem like the guy who everyone laughs at and makes fun of because he made such stupid predictions and bold statements that there is absolutely no way to renege on them without hurting his poor ego.

[Larry David]

Looks like Hartley is backing Backlund with some pretty high praise.

"Mikael Backlund is starting to be probably one of the best two-way centremen in this league ... He's rounding up his game. He's maturing around his game." - Flames head coach Bob Hartley on Mikael Backlund

Full link below:

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=710992