QOTD: Are the Flames Underutilizing Backlund?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Really? Kesler had 75 and 73 points man! That is a helluva lot more than 50 points, lol.

Kesler (age 23) in 2008 had 37 points in 80 games
Kesler (age 24) in 2009 had 59 points in 82 games
Kesler (age 27) in 2012 had 49 points in 77 games
Kesler (age 29) in 2014 had 43 points in 77 games
Kesler (age 30) in 2015 has 45 points in 73 games

Kesler had two years with 70+ points. And correct me if I remember wrong, but his "good years" came when he was playing wing on a power play unit with the prime Sedins. Backlund doesn't even play with Gaudreau and Hudler on our power play, never mind the 100 point Sedins.

So is Kesler only a 2nd line center two years out of his whole career?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Kesler (age 23) in 2008 had 37 points in 80 games
Kesler (age 24) in 2009 had 59 points in 82 games
Kesler (age 27) in 2012 had 49 points in 77 games
Kesler (age 29) in 2014 had 43 points in 77 games
Kesler (age 30) in 2015 has 45 points in 73 games

Kesler had two years with 70+ points. And correct me if I remember wrong, but his "good years" came when he was playing wing on a power play unit with the prime Sedins. Backlund doesn't even play with Gaudreau and Hudler on our power play, never mind the 100 point Sedins.

So is Kesler only a 2nd line center two years out of his whole career?

Kesler was a perennial 20 goal scorer which is more important than just points and was arguably the best 2-way center in the league for a while. It's very unlikely that Backlund will ever have a career as good as Kesler.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Flame19,289

Yeah, Hudler, Monahan, & Gaudreau have been great together. All three have 20+ goals so far this season and the chemistry had been undeniable.

But I wouldn't consider the Flames to be just a one line team. Sure, the top line is far and away the Flames' most dangerous. But the Flames have 10 players with 10+ goals... No other team in the Western Conference has more (Dallas also has 10), and most have only 6 to 8.

Even though the Flames have 10 players with 10+ goals, Mikael Backlund isn't one of them. Maybe he gets his 10th tonight, as he's definitely been playing great as of late. But I certainly don't think he's being underutilized. His utilization has been perfect, in my opinion.

He missed a lot of time due to his surgery so his number of goals isn't very meaningful.

[OzSome]

I always thought the first 2 lines are more on offensive sides while the 3rd line is more of a two way players while 4th liners are for grinders mostly. We have the first line in Hudler-Monahan-Gaudreau, while our 2nd line are typically should be 3rd line with Bouma-Backlund-Jones (all 3 are capable of playing a two way game with speed). Right now we don't have the true 2nd line as Colborne-Granlund/Jooris-Raymond looks more like a 3rd line rather than 2nd. Next season Flames might have the true 2nd line C in Sam Bennett. Not sure who will be able to play with him though. Maybe Emile Poirer if he is ready.
So I think Flames is using the Backlund line more than they should. Good thing about it is the line seems to be answering the bell and more. It is more like a win-win situation for the team.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Kesler was a perennial 20 goal scorer

....And Mikael Backlund has 24 goals in his last 82 healthy games, with almost none of that even coming on the powerplay. He's a player who's only recently broken out and can't be judged by stats.

I'll give you that peak Kesler's an obviously better player than Backlund has been yet. But he also played with better players boosting his stats.

And Backlund is one of the game's top 2-way centers too.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Kesler (age 23) in 2008 had 37 points in 80 games
Kesler (age 24) in 2009 had 59 points in 82 games
Kesler (age 27) in 2012 had 49 points in 77 games
Kesler (age 29) in 2014 had 43 points in 77 games
Kesler (age 30) in 2015 has 45 points in 73 games

Kesler had two years with 70+ points. And correct me if I remember wrong, but his "good years" came when he was playing wing on a power play unit with the prime Sedins. Backlund doesn't even play with Gaudreau and Hudler on our power play, never mind the 100 point Sedins.

So is Kesler only a 2nd line center two years out of his whole career?

Jeez man. I hate myself for being the ####### saying this, but do you even watch them play?

There's a reason one guy is signing short term deals for low dollars while the other guy is nearly finished a long term deal making 5. Kesler has more points right now than Backlund has ever scored in a season.

When Kesler was the age Backlund is now, he scored 41 goals. More goals in a season than Backlund has points in a season.

You're talking about a guy who scored 39 points as a career high, who otherwise hasn't hit 30. Manny Malholtra has multiple 30 point seasons.

Bouma is going to hit 30 points this season.

Perspective, man.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

do you even watch them play?

Sounds to me like you don't watch them play, or at least haven't watched Backlund play for the last two seasons. You seem to be convinced Backlund is the exact player he was three-four years ago.

Perspective, man.

Context, man.

[Bingo]

For the record I was never suggesting Mikael Backlund going forward. I'm talking the next ten games, and the fact that good teams shut down the Flames top line, bad teams don't and they win.,

It's a pattern.

If you mix it up by saying moving Hudler onto a line with Backlund and Bouma, and move Jones or Jooris up with Monahan and Gaudreau you may spread things out a little more.

Was never suggesting a demotion of Monahan
Was never suggesting a cementing Backlund as a top six going foward.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

....And Mikael Backlund has 24 goals in his last 82 healthy games, with almost none of that even coming on the powerplay. He's a player who's only recently broken out and can't be judged by stats.

I'll give you that peak Kesler's an obviously better player than Backlund has been yet. But he also played with better players boosting his stats.

And Backlund is one of the game's top 2-way centers too.

Holy hyperbole....i mean Backlund can look decent at times, but come on...thats an assinine thing to say.

[heep223]

I like Backlund, though he's a band-aid. If he can stay healthy he could be a great option as our #3 C. Actually his line is an ideal #3 line and would be used as such, if we had an actual #2 line. If anything him and his line are overused.

[DropIt]

We just lack the talent that Backlund deserves. He has been very impressive this year given his best linemate has been Bouma. If Poirier/Granlund were a little further ahead, they would be great on Backlund's wing alongside Bouma.

Still, I would say he is as good as Hudler in terms of playing possession and controlling the puck down low for someone who isn't incredibly physical.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I said don't break up the top line, but I am also in favour of Backlund getting more minutes. He is being underutilized considering his caliber.

[N-E-B]

Backlund is a really good 3rd line center and an average 2nd line center. Nothing more, nothing less. He's not Ryan Kesler, that's ludicrous. He's not a top 2nd line center in the NHL. I'd gladly take him on my 3rd line any day, but realistically a true contender would have at least 2 centers better than Backlund. The guy is a decent player, but he is far from the superstar some people think he is.

[dying4acup]

I can't remember the exact season, I think it was the Flames last playoff year against Chicago (2009), when the Flames had their most potent offensive line up post 2004 lockout.

That season, the Flames had Glencross-Conroy-Moss on the third line for most of the year, and each posted about 40points. I could see a line of Bouma-Backlund-Jones doing this on the 3rd line, when/if the Flames can ice a solid top 6.

[Mike F]

For clarity of the discussion: What are people's requirements for a guy to be a "legitimate 2nd line centre" for a team that fancies itself a contender?

How many points? Other requirements?

[IgiTang]

I'm going with option 5. Backlund needs to be "the guy" on his line. I think Backlund has a boatload of skill and so.etimes tries to display it. Sometimes... If he had a bit more room, he could I think. But I don't think he NEEDS a Gaudreau or Hudler, I think he needs a big body who can help him dig the puck out. Bouma is awesome for crash and bang and has a deceiving shot, but I don't think he cycles as well as Backlund needs to be successful. If Colborne had a bit more hockey IQ, I would say he's the guy, but Colborne seems too soft or just not desperate enough to make plays sometimes.

Edit: I would actually like to see Poirier and Ferland make the jump into the top 9 role and see a line of Poirier- Backlund- Ferland.

[Roof-Daddy]

If Backlund stays exactly what he is now (but can stay healthier) he will be a perfect 3C for this team for another 5 years at least. Smart, good speed, solid defensively and can chip in some offense here and there.

If Monahan can continue to do what he's been doing, (as in growing by leaps and bounds) and Bennett turns into what he is capable of, this team is going to be ridiculously strong down the middle for a long, long time.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Mike F

For clarity of the discussion: What are people's requirements for a guy to be a "legitimate 2nd line centre" for a team that fancies itself a contender?

How many points? Other requirements?

For me: Can put up at minimum 40 points in a full season. But a good one can have occasional seasons of 50-60. Also really good defensive play, and can be 50% plus on the dot. Grit and size also help but not necessities.

Of course some teams have two 1st line centres which makes the whole thing moot anyway, and is what we would be shooting for with Bennett/Monahan.