QOTD: Backlund's Comeback

[Bingo]

What to make of the return of an injury plagued player from a very tough to recover from injury in mid season on a team that has changed a lot in his absence?

How does he do?

[dissentowner]

It might take a few games but he should return to what he is, a good two way forward that ideally is your 3rd line C on a good team.

[foshizzle11]

ya, I picked takes 2 weeks. I love this guy and I feel bad for him for all the injuries he has had already in his career. It sucks.

I think he will struggle a bit at first and Hartley will likely shelter him a bit until he is fitter. I would imagine he is likely out of shape since you can't do a whole lot of training with an abdominal/core injury.

But he will add to this team, he won't be a liability. I think he will excel in the current environment, he is a leader of this team and he will only help us win more games.

[dammage79]

Two weeks to gain his offensive form. Defensively, won't miss a beat.

[sa226]

We talk about Backlund taking pressure off of Monohan, but I think Monohan's play will take some pressure off of Backlund and allow him to ease back into the lineup and get some favorable matchups.

As an aside, as much as I like Granlund. I think Jooris is at his best in the middle and should stay there. When Backlund returns, Granlund is likely the odd man out.

[Enoch Root]

Monahan, Stajan and Jooris are all playing solidly up the middle. So that should make the transition a bit easier for Backlund and will allow Hartley to ease him in a bit.

I chose #2 and expect he'll take between 5 and 10 games before he becomes really impactful again.

[CsInMyBlood]

Can't wait to have him back on the team.

Picked two weeks but I wouldn't be surprised at all if he comes in and contributes right away.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Im probably a little biased in an anti Where R U Chris Sully way, so I think he wont miss a beat and comes back to have an immediate impact.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Will take a few games, but he'll be like his normal self from last year again. Even when he was playing injured this year, he was still playing better than some of our healthier forwards.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I think it's very likely that he makes positive contributions from game 1. It will likely take a couple weeks to get back to the level he was at however.

If there's anyone hungry to get into the line-up, it's this guy right here. I'd like to see Him on the 2nd line between Gaudreau and Hudler. Solid defensive line with great offense. Backlund has been driving to the net for the last year now and would work out well alongside Gaudreau.

Very Excite!

[Poe969]

I could actually see him being dealt this season. He's going to be a good third line centre.

[nik-]

I'm scared about what happens here, but I voted the two weeks option. I really like Mikael Backlund and hope he's part of this team long term. He is one of the guys that just loves being a Flame and he's a perfect 3rd line centre on a contender.

I very much hope he regains form and gets a 4 year deal that is cap friendly for the Flames.

[Bingo]

I'm the pessimist!

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm the pessimist!

You voted for the option I'm scared of because I see it as a real possibility.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'm scared about what happens here, but I voted the two weeks option. I really like Mikael Backlund and hope he's part of this team long term. He is one of the guys that just loves being a Flame and he's a perfect 3rd line centre on a contender.

I very much hope he regains form and gets a 4 year deal that is cap friendly for the Flames.

I fear that Backs has almost always taken ages to recover from injury. Specifically when he gets back in the line up. The season he broke his finger, he had had a spectacular pre-season and slated to center Iginla. He never got on track that season. This time he basically missed pre-season, played 10? Games and got shut down again. Might be another lost year.

[Huntingwhale]

Sadly, I see him getting re-injured and chalking up another lost season to his resume. On the good side, that bodes well for the Flames when signing him to a new contract.

[_Q_]

Y'all are very optimistic about Backlund.

I don't think he fully recovers from this injury for the rest of the season.

[jaginla]

Backlund holds a special spot in my heart because he was the only light for so many years. I hope he comes back and regains last seasons form, I could see this team truly competing for a playoff spot if that happens.

As great as Jooris/Granlund has been its really been because of JG and Hudler so a legit center like Monahan or Backlund could add another dimension to that line. Look forward to Wednesday!

[codynw]

He looks noticeably skinnier, and he wasn't exactly huge before. I think he's going to struggle for a while, if he doesn't get reinjured.

[Erick Estrada]

I'm just not as high on Backlund as others. It finally looked like he was coming into his own last season but you have to wonder with all the injuries if he can ever stay healthy enough to maintain a high level. He's in his prime and he just hasn't shown enough to be overly bullish on his future prospects. He has potential as a solid two-way center but it's getting time he turns potential into his full-time game. Combine his long layoff with the roster glut of players and Hartley's penchant for benching/rotating players that are up and down and I don't know if he's going to get the leash he may need to get going on the back half of the season. Time will tell.