[News] 21 goals for Backlund

[Flash Walken]

Never thought I'd see the day backlund scores 20.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Nice to see backlund doing so well

Hugely important piece of this roster

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by shermanator

20 goals, 45 points. IMO, a perfect third line centre for the Flames going forward behind Monahan and Bennett.

Agreed!

Just want to add--if the Flames do an oiler-esque "Saddledome Closing Ceremony", I hope they roll out your avatar instead of ACTUAL Kotalik...!!

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Never thought I'd see the day backlund scores 20.

Same here. Not because I didn't think he was skilled enough. But because he was never healthy. This right here, is what a healthy Backlund is.

Let's hope his days of being the glass man are behind him. What an asset he is when playing like he is now.

[GranteedEV]

Piece of news that might be hard to believe:
In 2007, a former Flames draft pick scored 20+ goals and 46 points in 81 games for us.

It's hard to believe it took Backlund that long to match the mark Matthew Lombardi hit in 2007 as he just seems like a better player. But he's finally done it.

[calgarywinning]

He had a great season! Lots of fight and an extra step to his game all season.

We went and bought two hats in the first intermission at the FanAttic, we should have waited until the end of the game.

[shadowlord]

Congratulations, Backs!

I still think Backlund is underrated by many fans and has a habit of making anyone fortunate enough to be his wingers better. See: Bouma (last season), Bennett, Colborne (late season), Stajan (this game).

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by shermanator

20 goals, 45 points. IMO, a perfect third line centre for the Flames going forward behind Monahan and Bennett.

So, I know that looking forward Backlund slots as a #3 centre behind Monahan and Bennett on the Flames depth chart, but +20 goals and +40 points is ridiculously good production for a "third line" centre. If that's all he is on this team, then he is easily the best damn third-line centre in the NHL by a country mile. Backlund is the #22 highest scoring centre in the Western conference right now. Only LA, Dallas, Anaheim, Colorado, SJ have a higher scoring 1–2 than the Flames with Monahan-Backlund, and four of those five teams are entrenched in the playoffs.

Backlund is way better than a lot of people give him credit for. As great a player as he is, I think the Flames will fairly shortly run out of room for him, which is not a bad thing at all. Backlund could command a handsome return in the next two/three years.

[flamesfan1297]

May have to buy a Backlund Jersey

[MarkGio]

I'm happy to see Backlund finally be the player he was projected to be, but keep in mind he's in his prime. His contract ends when he's 30, so who knows, maybe Jankowski replaces him

[dying4acup]

I believe Backs is the longest tenured Flame at this point. He seems to elevate everybody he plays with. He gets players paid!

He may force the Flames to make Bennett a winger going forward.

Would CP consider giving immunity to WHEREAREUCHRISOSULLIVAN if he came back hat in hand, ate his pubes, and admitted that Backs is a solid NHL center?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

I believe Backs is the longest tenured Flame at this point.

El Capitan.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

I believe Backs is the longest tenured Flame at this point. He seems to elevate everybody he plays with. He gets players paid!

He may force the Flames to make Bennett a winger going forward.

Would CP consider giving immunity to WHEREAREUCHRISOSULLIVAN if he came back hat in hand, ate his pubes, and admitted that Backs is a solid NHL center?

Are you the messenger?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

He may force the Flames to make Bennett a winger going forward.

Don't see that happening. We need three top centres and we have them in Monahan, Backlund and Bennett. Only way we're moving Bennett to the wing is if we win the lottery IMO.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Are you the messenger?

No, but it would be fun to torment him when his next target (jankowski?) turns into something...

[doctajones428]

It's amazing what he can do when he's healthy. 46 points in 81 games. 27 in 52 last year. 39 in 76 the year before. He definitely caught way too much flack over the years when it was apperant his injuries were the only thing holding him back.

No Backlund didn't turn into a first liner, and he didn't put up second line numbers until his 5th or 6th year but man, we are beyond lucky to have him now as our legitimate stud third line center behind Monahan and Bennett for the next decade or so.

I'm glad the people who gave up early and wanted him gone didn't get their wish

Brag Edit: Props to young me buying his jersey during his second year. Smart lad

[BlackWallStreet]

He has been playing awesome

Way to go backs!!

[wingmaker]

At the trade deadline I wondered about keeping Hudler and trading Backlund because of the difference in offensive production. Boy was I totally out to lunch. Happy to be wrong!!

[btimbit]

KHL player by 2014 though right?

[crapshoot]

Not only is it great to see 21 goals, it's also good to finally have Backs playing a full season. I know there was some speculation early in the season about him playing through injury, but finally playing 82 games in a season is big step to be counted on as an important piece of the team. Let's go for 30 goals next year!