[News] Backlund line at top of the league in possession

[foshizzle11]

http://www.thescore.com/news/1172731

"For another season the Flames are relying on one line. But this year it's the middle-six unit of Mikael Backlund, Michael Frolik, and rookie Matthew Tkachuk driving percentages.

Scoring two goals to one against at evens, the trio have close to identical on-ice rates to the Bruins' top line mentioned above. And at a team-best 56.3 percent, they're not the puck hoarders Bergeron's line has been, but they're creating a higher volume of top-grade chances."

They are third in the league in advanced stats, behind Crosby's line and Bergeron's line in Boston. We all knew how good they were playing but I had no idea they were that dominant compared to the rest of the league.

I hope Johnny, Sean and Troy learn a little something from them and start clicking once JG is back at both ends of the ice.

Imagine two lines with these kinds of possession stats, it would be pretty tough to beat this team.

Backs and Fro have been so good and I am glad Matthew is learning and playing from those two, a match made in heaven adding in the type of game that Tkackuk brings to that line. Love it.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Meh, backs will be in the khl by next season

[Funkhouser]

Since it looks more and more likely that Bennett will take a bridge, perhaps it is feasible that we can lock Backlund up long term. He loves being a Flame and I suspect he will be impactful for at least another 4 years.

Thoughts?
(term, years, feasibility?)

[Zoller]

He is our best centre this year. It's been a treat watching him grow as a player. As much as I've criticized Monahan this year, the progress of Backlund helps me take a step back and more realistically evaluate the development of an NHL centre.

[killer_carlson]

I thought Ferland was on that wing more than tkachuk

[AC]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I thought Ferland was on that wing more than tkachuk

Not anytime recently.

83.1% of Tkachuk's icetime this season has been with Backlund and Frolik.

[Kovaz]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I thought Ferland was on that wing more than tkachuk

187:39 for Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
28:51 for Ferland-Backlund-Frolik

[Bourque's Twin]

Where ru Chris O' Sullivan?

[automaton 3]

Just an outstanding year so far for Backlund and Frolik.

And a perfect learning environment for Tkachuk playing with those two.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Where ru Chris O' Sullivan?

I hope he's still here as someone else, just so he can feel his infinite shame.

[CsInMyBlood]

By far my favorite part of a Flames game is when the Backlund line jumps onto the ice. Love watching these guys.

Really hope the Flames are able to re-sign Backlund. He really does love the Flames and you can't let a player like this get away. So complete.

They have been dominant all season, pretty unreal that they are right up there with the Crosby and Bergeron lines.

Thanks for the article.

[Jore]

nothing feels safer than when tkachuk/backlund/frolik take the ice, especially if gio/hamilton is with them too. one of the best 5-man units in the league

[Bingo]

Also interesting that the numbers suggest that Tkachuk has helped the other two, he isn't just taking a ride on that line.

They were 41% with Bouma, 49% with Ferland and 25% with Brouwer.

[Heavy Jack]

That's a pretty great point to make considering his biggest knock going into the draft was the fact that he rode the coat tails of Marner/Dvorak. He is gonna be a game breaker for us and has already been that a points this season.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Also interesting that the numbers suggest that Tkachuk has helped the other two, he isn't just taking a ride on that line.

They were 41% with Bouma, 49% with Ferland and 25% with Brouwer.

Tkachuk's possession nunbers are that of a 27 year old star in his prime. With or without Backlund. It may actually be Frolik who is the replaceable part on the line. I actually think replacing Frolik with Ferland could improve that line, while allowing Frolik to improve Bennett's line if we get him back to his actual position.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Tkachuk's possession nunbers are that of a 27 year old star in his prime. With or without Backlund. It may actually be Frolik who is the replaceable part on the line.

Just amazing how you'll take any piece of data to make your opinion seem right. You're the typical advanced stats guy that advanced stats haters can't stand. You'll only look at the advanced stats that fit your narrative.

Frolik is not replaceable, not by anyone in our system and not by anyone in our lineup. No matter who Frolik plays with he looks good. Every. Single. Game.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Tkachuk's possession nunbers are that of a 27 year old star in his prime. With or without Backlund. It may actually be Frolik who is the replaceable part on the line. I actually think replacing Frolik with Ferland could improve that line, while allowing Frolik to improve Bennett's line if we get him back to his actual position.

Unthanks button...

Frolik is an integral part of that threesome.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Just amazing how you'll take any piece of data to make your opinion seem right. You're the typical advanced stats guy that advanced stats haters can't stand. You'll only look at the advanced stats that fit your narrative.

What narrative is that? That the numbers suggest over the last year and a half that Backlund doesn't really need Frolik as Badly as a kid like Monahan or Bennett might, but that Tkachuk gives Backlund a profound boost that we haven't seen since Cammalleri?

Right.

More like "If you conjecture anything that make me angry, and base them off of evidence, then I hate you and your evidence!"

Frolik is not replaceable, not by anyone in our system and not by anyone in our lineup. No matter who Frolik plays with he looks good. Every. Single. Game.

Okay so... why does Frolik need Backlund? Would he not be more successful helping Monahan or Bennett if another player can play with Tkachuk / Backlund (like, Gaudreau/Brouwer/Ferland/Versteeg) without experiencing a significant dropoff.

This isn't some "narrative" about Frolik being bad. This is simply pointing out that he and Backlund, while a good pair, as not as good a pair as Backlund and Tkachuk who are both elite possession drivers in the entire NHL. Tkachuk was posting these insane numbers with Brouwer, whom I dislike, and Bennett. There goes your narrative about my narrative.

The Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik line is awesome. But if it can be even slightly improved, or better yet if one of the players on it can give us a second or third line without a significant dropoff, it should be considered. I am not saying they NEED to be broken up.

[Strange Brew]

Great analysis. KInd of highlights a couple of thinsg for me:

You can really focus on special teams and poor goalie play with Elliott as reasons for the team's subpar record. At even strength, the Backlund line is dominant and I suspect overall, Flames are holding their own.

Backlund is very important and not easily replaceable. Turning himself into a $5M+ player.

[Street Pharmacist]

I agree with EV. If you can spread the wealth and improve another line, why not?