Backlund is a secret star! - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Rick M. · 10-13-2014, 09:20 AM

Nice to see him getting some recognition:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/wh...r-for-calgary/

Chingas · 10-13-2014, 10:18 AM

I hope Backs can build off the momentum that he started to develop last year.

Oh and, where are you Chris O'sullivan?

Enoch Root · 10-13-2014, 10:25 AM

looking forward to the '2nd half of the season isn't as important' post

ForeverFlameFan · 10-13-2014, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chingas

I hope Backs can build off the momentum that he started to develop last year.

Oh and, where are you Chris O'sullivan?

Trying to scout Backlund in the KHL and is failing to find him.

Mike F · 10-13-2014, 10:52 AM

Dom Luszczyszyn

Clearly a made up name. Nice try Mrs. Backlund.

dying4acup · 10-13-2014, 11:31 AM

How much did Backlund play with Cammy last year? Not a whole lot if I recall correctly. And unless my memory is foggy (normally IS the case) Backlund was a big reason for Cammy's tear after the trade deadline last season.

codynw · 10-13-2014, 12:12 PM

I would prefer if Backlund didn't get praise like this before he signed a long term deal, but it's good to see either way.

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 12:19 PM

I'm sorry but I disagree with the notion Backlund will be a star player. Comparing him to the likes of the top centres in the NHL is ludicrous. What I do see is a guy with the potential to be an excellent two way 3rd line centre on a contending team. A guy that can get you 20 goals, 40-50 points, and be out there to defend against a top line.

Phanuthier · 10-13-2014, 12:28 PM

Great article, thank you. Very underrated player, much better than his point totals show.

RE : dissentowner, he's no Kopitar or anything, sure. I don't have a great comparison in my mind, but the best I could think was something like a center version of Jere Lehtinen. (sorry really drawing a blank right now for comparisons). It would not surprise me at all to see him put up 60+ points, if he can stay healthy.

Enoch Root · 10-13-2014, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I'm sorry but I disagree with the notion Backlund will be a star player. Comparing him to the likes of the top centres in the NHL is ludicrous. What I do see is a guy with the potential to be an excellent two way 3rd line centre on a contending team. A guy that can get you 20 goals, 40-50 points, and be out there to defend against a top line.

That is pretty much the definition of a very good 2nd line C. A Kesler type.

How many 2nd line Cs are there that are getting more than 50 pts?

dying4acup · 10-13-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I'm sorry but I disagree with the notion Backlund will be a star player. Comparing him to the likes of the top centres in the NHL is ludicrous. What I do see is a guy with the potential to be an excellent two way 3rd line centre on a contending team. A guy that can get you 20 goals, 40-50 points, and be out there to defend against a top line.

How many 3rd line centers are scoring 40-50points? That's an extremely good sign, but I doubt he can score at that clip with setogucci and jones as his wingers for 11minutes/game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Great article, thank you. Very underrated player, much better than his point totals show.

RE : dissentowner, he's no Kopitar or anything, sure. I don't have a great comparison in my mind, but the best I could think was something like a center version of Jere Lehtinen. (sorry really drawing a blank right now for comparisons). It would not surprise me at all to see him put up 60+ points, if he can stay healthy.

I'm thinking more like peca (circa buffalo), but less physical. Maybe Joel Otto, but less physical.

The problem is that Burke (and Treliving I think) are believers in top 6 and bottom 6 as opposed to top 9 and 4th line.

This means that top 6 scores and plays with finesse, while bottom 6 plays defense and wears down opponents. Most teams try? For 3 scoring lines and a pugalistic 4th line, but not Burke. At least that's the way I enterpret it.

What it all means is that while Backlund is a top 2 line option now, he's valuable to the Flames. Is Burke (and Treliving) willing to have Backlund AND Stajan centering the bottom 2 lines?

Vinny01 · 10-13-2014, 01:15 PM

Weren't te Sedins scoring 40-50pts at the same age? Swedes take time to develop and adjust to the NHL sometimes. Backlund is just starting to hit his stride you can see how confident he is now and definitely can hold onto the puck much longer.

One thing I wonder is what will happen with Backlund if the Flames land a top 2 pick next summer? With Monahan-Bennett and one of McDavid/Eichel the flames would be set up the middle for years. Either Bennett or McDavid/Eichel or Backlund moves to the wing or the flames cut bait with one of the players. Really fun situation to think about. Having said that if the Flames don't add a centre next draft thinking about Monahan/Bennett/Backlund as a Center core could also be the foundation of a contender for years to come.

It will be very interesting to see what the Flames do with guys like Backlund, Granlund, Colborne, Arnold, Knight, Stajan, Reinhart as the team matures. Some mY be shifted to the wing and others moved for immediate upgrades

dying4acup · 10-13-2014, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

It will be very interesting to see what the Flames do with guys like Backlund, Granlund, Colborne, Arnold, Knight, Stajan, Reinhart as the team matures. Some mY be shifted to the wing and others moved for immediate upgrades

Hopefully for solid and established young defensemen. We don't want to become the Blue and Orange team in arctic Alberta after all...

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Weren't te Sedins scoring 40-50pts at the same age? Swedes take time to develop and adjust to the NHL sometimes. Backlund is just starting to hit his stride you can see how confident he is now and definitely can hold onto the puck much longer.

Come on, I hate the Sedins as much as the next Flames fan but Backlund is not going to be as good as either one of them.

nemanja2306 · 10-13-2014, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Weren't te Sedins scoring 40-50pts at the same age? Swedes take time to develop and adjust to the NHL sometimes. Backlund is just starting to hit his stride you can see how confident he is now and definitely can hold onto the puck much longer.

One thing I wonder is what will happen with Backlund if the Flames land a top 2 pick next summer? With Monahan-Bennett and one of McDavid/Eichel the flames would be set up the middle for years. Either Bennett or McDavid/Eichel or Backlund moves to the wing or the flames cut bait with one of the players. Really fun situation to think about. Having said that if the Flames don't add a centre next draft thinking about Monahan/Bennett/Backlund as a Center core could also be the foundation of a contender for years to come.

It will be very interesting to see what the Flames do with guys like Backlund, Granlund, Colborne, Arnold, Knight, Stajan, Reinhart as the team matures. Some mY be shifted to the wing and others moved for immediate upgrades

In that case, third line.

Gaudreau - McDavid - Poirer
Bennett - Monahan - Baertchi
Klimchuk - Backlund - Smith

That'd be pretty sweet, actually. Let's hope Sven can learn to play RW.

Vinny01 · 10-13-2014, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Come on, I hate the Sedins as much as the next Flames fan but Backlund is not going to be as good as either one of them.

Yup because that sure is exactly what I said

All is stated was the twins were not the 80-100pt players they became until they were 27-32. Backlund at 24 scoring 38pts by no means is his ceiling IMO. I think Backlund potentially could still be the 60-70pt player flames fans hoped for after he was drafted. Backlund showed a ton of progression last year and it is not far fetched to think he still has another gear or two. By no means do I think he will ever become an elite number 1 NHL Center

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Yup because that sure is exactly what I said

All is stated was the twins were not the 80-100pt players they became until they were 27-32. Backlund at 24 scoring 38pts by no means is his ceiling IMO. I think Backlund potentially could still be the 60-70pt player flames fans hoped for after he was drafted. Backlund showed a ton of progression last year and it is not far fetched to think he still has another gear or two. By no means do I think he will ever become an elite number 1 NHL Center

If Michael Backlund ever nets 70 points on the Flames I will donate a sizable donation to CP in your name. It is not easy to get 70 points in the NHL with good linemates let alone the current scrubs we have. Toews had 68 points last year. Kopitar had 70. In no way is Backlund ever going to hit 70 points. No how, no way.

Hart50 · 10-13-2014, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Come on, I hate the Sedins as much as the next Flames fan but Backlund is not going to be as good as either one of them.

Agreed, but Backlund is not a third line centre. He is emerging into a very good 2nd line centre. The question for the Flames is how he will fit in with the other good young centemen we are developing.

doctajones428 · 10-13-2014, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

If Michael Backlund ever nets 70 points on the Flames I will donate a sizable donation to CP in your name. It is not easy to get 70 points in the NHL with good linemates let alone the current scrubs we have. Toews had 68 points last year. Kopitar had 70. In no way is Backlund ever going to hit 70 points. No how, no way.

Good thing he didn't flat out say 70.

Backlund is capable of 60, especially when our young players develop more

Hockey_Ninja · 10-13-2014, 02:18 PM

Where ru Chris O'Sullivan's head must have exploded reading that article