Lets Talk About Mr. Backlund

[Flames Draft Watcher]

You should have stopped at "There were bigger problems"

[Da_Chief]

On Ask Rhett, he was asked if he would write an autobiography this morning. He replied with "no, there's nothing special about my life. I'm the Backlund of my life." I laughed. I think he has more potential but I don't think he will ever get there.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

Do you think we sit in a playoff spot after 13 games if Backlund has one point in 13 games next season? I don't.

Do you think we sit in a playoff spot after 13 games if Backlund has 6.5 ±0.5 points in 13 games next season? I don't.

Do you think we sit in a playoff spot after 13 games if Backlund has one point in 13 games next season while our goaltenders have league average performance, Backlund continues to keep his 5-on-5 goals against around 2.05 (preferably better, as this rate is in front of bad goalies rather than league average ones), Sean Monahan reduces his 5-on-5 goals against from 2.86 to a more manageable rate of a real #1C (within 15% of Backlund as a #2C), and Stajan reduces his 5-on-5 goals against rate from 2.40 to a more managable rate of a #4C (within 15% of backlund)? I think we would be in the mix as that would mean keeping the goals against close to one or two. A lot more games would get to overtime too, where points are obtained just or not losing in regulation.

It's pretty straightforward to me. We have two lines that have bled goals against all year. The Stajan line, who constantly get scored on and rarely score themselves because they are too slow and unskilled, and the first line, who constantly turn the puck over and then spend the rest of their shift trying to get a line change, especially on the road. We have one line that hasn't bled goals against, the Backlund line. They also haven't bled chances against, there's a correlation.

This team needs all of its other centers to do their respective two-way duties as well as Backlund does his and they would be an elite team as they have the offensive firepower. Backlund isn't Patrice Bergeron but he is by far the best defensive center on this team. It shouldn't be by far.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

On Ask Rhett, he was asked if he would write an autobiography this morning. He replied with "no, there's nothing special about my life. I'm the Backlund of my life." I laughed. I think he has more potential but I don't think he will ever get there.

What a dingus. Did Backlund sleep with his wife or something?

[SuperMatt18]

In regards to the first line I feel like they have gotten better at not bleeding goals against more recently.

People were harping on Monahan earlier this season but he was carrying a big load in the defensive zone when he had Gaudreau (great defensively through the neutral zone but struggles once hemmed in) and a disinterested Jiri Hudler on his wings.

[bucksmasher]

I don't mind backlund on a 3-4 line but his recent streak is meaningless to me. He seems to have one or two a year and I don't get excited because they never last.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

I don't mind backlund on a 3-4 line but his recent streak is meaningless to me. He seems to have one or two a year and I don't get excited because they never last.

He's a 0.5 ppg forward, which is pretty close to 2nd line production in today's NHL. It doesn't matter how/when he gets those points, the numbers speak for themselves.

[djsFlames]

Man he's in the midst of his best NHL hockey, and still doesn't get respect. He's actually producing at the rate of a solid 2nd line center now. What is he supposed to be exactly? Are 20~ overall picks typically expected become top line players?

47 point pace with a strong defensive game. Either of our rivals would take that on their team in a second right now.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

He's a 0.5 ppg forward, which is pretty close to 2nd line production in today's NHL. It doesn't matter how/when he gets those points, the numbers speak for themselves.

It kind of does matter. If he disappears for 20 games at a time during critical times of the season, he can't really be called a 2nd liner.

Just make peace with the fact that he's a 3rd line center, and can play hockey the right way.

If the Flames can solidify their top 6, he's a fantastic complementary piece; the kind of piece you need to win championships.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

It kind of does matter. If he disappears for 20 games at a time during critical times of the season, he can't really be called a 2nd liner.

Just make peace with the fact that he's a 3rd line center, and can play hockey the right way.

If the Flames can solidify their top 6, he's a fantastic complementary piece; the kind of piece you need to win championships.

I see what you are saying but most of what separates 1st liners from 2nd and 3rd liners is consistency. If Backlund didn't disappear like he does, he would be a 1st line center. Pretty much all middle 6 players suffer from these issues to a certain extent.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

It kind of does matter. If he disappears for 20 games at a time during critical times of the season, he can't really be called a 2nd liner.

Legit 1st liners can disappear for 20 games sometimes. Most if not all NHLers are streaky. Most if not all NHLers are inconsistent.

At any rate with Bennett and Monahan we don't need Backlund to be a 2nd liner. He's a perfect fit for us as an elite 3rd liner.

[IgiTang]

I believe we are only now seeing the developed Mikael Backlund.

He's always been solid in his own end at every level. His upside was to potentially posses high-skill potential offensively, however very raw.

His will to play a physical game for Vestaras in Swe-1 league after he was drafted, was evident. But it was a much smaller league and he had size for a u-20 and could skate. I'm not saying he was overly physical, but he didn't shy away from it.

When he came to N.America and played for Kelowna, he used his physicality and was a stud for the Rockets, 12 Goals, 30 Points in 28 games 26 Pims. Only real knock for me at the time was when he did an interview on the fan saying "I'm very excited to be a Flamer". True words *face Palm*

When he came to the Flames, he started getting injured because he tried playing the same type of game against men. Much larger men.

iirc, he had a shoulder injury and missed half of his first season. Another major injury, a few games here and there and then a lock-out.

He has now matured physically, has not let his blue-collar work ethic slip, has shown some great stick, hands,and skating skill and rounding out his play making ability.

He has always carried a bit of a nastiness to him too.

Clearly, I really like how Backlund is coming along.

Gonna be interesting to see if he can remain healthy and continue his consistent growth.

Question I have, how does he match up against other NHL'ers from his draft year and has he had the most games missed due to injury from anyone in the first round of that year?

Imagine if he had.. Hed be a full year further along in his development. He's 27 years old and shows some great characteristic's.

I think he could be this teams Stephane Yelle in terms of leadership and effort while not afraid to get his nose dirty while remaining responsible in his own end. With much higher offensive upside.

[united]

I appreciate Backlund as a process over counting results type of guy, which isn't flashy. He doesn't cheat the game in any zone in any way and that will cost him some points every season. Excellent forecheck angles, great in the neutral zone, great in his own end often against bigger centres, great penalty killer. Sure his individual offence leaves something to be desired, but having a guy like him in the C3 slot on a good team is a good luxury to have going forward. Leave him Getzlaf, Thornton, Kopitar, while Monahan and Bennett dominate the other lines' centres.

He may not score piles of points, but his line will consistently outscore the opposition, which is all that matters. I'll take a 40-point producer who outscores the opposition over a Kesler who puts up 55 but is in the red year after year. Backlund could do with a little more one-on-one creativity - outside of his off-wing Fedorov, which he has mastered, he doesn't have much. Not sure if he ever will.

And to add to it Backlund is one of the guys who isn't just going through the motions as a professional athlete, he truly bleeds the Flames and loves the city of Calgary. Having a guy who despises the Oilers and Canucks is a big check in my books. Plus he's great in the community and puts a ton of time into charitable causes.

[dying4acup]

His game reminds me of Conroy in his second tenure. In fact his career might actually mirror Conroy's.

Imagine that he's about to go into his prime. He might even hit 50points this season at this rate.

[SHOGUN]

It seems like yesterday since we drafted Backlund... man time flies by fast.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Question I have, how does he match up against other NHL'ers from his draft year and has he had the most games missed due to injury from anyone in the first round of that year?

He was drafted 24th overall in 2007.

He is currently 19th from the draft class in games played. 12 of the players who have played more games than he has were drafted before him. Simmonds, Perron, Benn, Subban, Gunnarsson, and Spaling are the only ones drafted after him with more games played.

He is currently 15th in points from the 2007 draft class. 10 of the players ahead of him were drafted before him. Benn, Simmonds, Perron, and Subban were drafted after him.

He is tied with Hagelin for 13th most goals scored by the 2007 draft class. Benn, Simmonds, and Perron are the only ones with more goals scored who were drafted later.

[TheIronMaiden]

Backlund is a stud! Easily one of the most valuable players on this team.

[cannon7]

Backlund is our best centre night in and night out, he is effectively our #1 as he gets played against the opposition's #1 every night. This season would be lost if not for his line, Backlund-Frolik are doing wonders for Tkachuk's development. I hope he remains a Flame for a long time.

[Strange Brew]

Yeah we can argue where Backlund slots in on a championship team but without him this season is already over. Flames better hope he likes it here and will eventually re-sign for reasonable money. Unlike many of the bottom tier players on this team, Backlund has earned a raise and would be hard to replace.

[agulati]

Backlund and Frolik, both, have been a big factor in the Flames winning ways the last dozen games. It is good to have such a versatile player on the team.

He is a good role model for the younger players and might even have been a better choice of a leadership role over Monahan. Monahan might develop into that later, but he is still quite young.