The backbone that is Backlund, Frolik, and Tkachuk

[Badgers Nose]

I sure hope Flames can keep Backlund somehow. If not, I hope they get all the prospects for him. I've been a fan since his stop here on the way to the WHL.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

Maybe. I certainly like the idea of keeping that carrot firmly in the face of Tkachuk to help his development, but at the same time, hasn't he earned it by now?

He's been a major piece to one of the best lines in hockey for a while now.

Lets call a spade a spade.

Matthew Tkachuk is an NHLer.


Find a house kid.

Originally Posted by getbak

It's not like they have a choice in the matter. It's required by the CBA after a player has been in the NHL for a minimum amount of time.

Tkachuk has been on the team long enough that he is free to get his own place to live, whether the Flames have told him to do so or not. It doesn't change any of their options for sending him down (although, that's obviously not going to happen given how he's playing).

No!!! He must live in someone's basement!

Seriously guys.. laugh a little.

Of course he's here to stay!

[Huntingwhale]

What a godsend that line has been. While most of the team was still finding their groove a couple months ago, these 3 have been pretty consistent from the start.

What I love about Tkachuk is how when he mixes things up after the whistle, it forces Backlunk, Frolik and the D to join the fray and everyone gets involved. As weird as it sounds, l definitely think these scrums have brought the team together and forced them to stick up for each other. That is something the team has needed since the start of the year and a major talking point all season long. Plus an angry Backlund seems to go out and just dominate the next couple shifts.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

The solution to a player struggling is not to handicap him further. Gaudreau with Frolik and Backlund basically guarantees that Gaudreau faces top competition for both Home AND away games.

There's no scenario where that is a good idea and is why Gaudreau has played 0 minutes with Backlund and Frolik. Don't pretend like you are smarter than a professional NHL coach and have some insight that he's never thought of.

Pebble in your shoe?

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

What a godsend that line has been. While most of the team was still finding their groove a couple months ago, these 3 have been pretty consistent from the start.

What I love about Tkachuk is how when he mixes things up after the whistle, it forces Backlunk, Frolik and the D to join the fray and everyone gets involved. As weird as it sounds, l definitely think these scrums have brought the team together and forced them to stick up for each other. That is something the team has needed since the start of the year and a major talking point all season long. Plus an angry Backlund seems to go out and just dominate the next couple shifts.

I think Backlund recently added that to his game on his own, credit where credit is due. He just seems to be so much more at home with a grittier game. Previously he added a dominant puck possession component. Watching him evolve into the player we see now has been pretty special.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

What's the story here? I missed it the first time.

Video of the coach telling him he is an NHL player. Basically a video session showing something he did bad and likened it to a mistake that would send a player back to junior. Coach then said he showed enough to prove he belongs in the NHL. I think it was prior to his 10th game that would start his ELC.

[Gaskal]

I thought it was mandatory for Flames rookies (especially the star draftees) to have a responsible adult in the house for their first full professional year.

IIRC, Monahan's mom moved in with him, ditto Sam and his dad. I think Johnny stayed with Monahan and his mom too.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I thought it was mandatory for Flames rookies (especially the star draftees) to have a responsible adult in the house for their first full professional year.

IIRC, Monahan's mom moved in with him, ditto Sam and his dad. I think Johnny stayed with Monahan and his mom too.

According to the Ryan Leslie episode with Tkachuk, Matthew is living with Monahan and Sean's girlfriend.

Says they drag him along as a 3rd wheel on all their dates.

[FireGilbert]

Good read, nice to see the Flames getting some love.

One thing I take out of this is that Backlund is the 2nd best two way centre in the game after Bergeron. I am not looking forward to when his contract is up, the Flames will need to make some very tough decisions.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Good read, nice to see the Flames getting some love.

One thing I take out of this is that Backlund is the 2nd best two way centre in the game after Bergeron. I am not looking forward to when his contract is up, the Flames will need to make some very tough decisions.

Toews? Kopitar?

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

Toews? Kopitar?

According to the chart in the article Backlund, Frolik, and Tkachuk is the 2nd best two way line in the league after Bergeron, Marchand and Pastmak. Based on this it is not a stretch to call Backlund the 2nd best two way centre in the league or at the very least he is the best value two way centre in the league.

Also, looking at the old fashioned stats Backlund currently has more points and goals than both Toews and Kopitar with similar +/-.

[smiggy77]

I love Backlund and can agree he's one of the best valued 2 way Cs but it's a very big stretch to say second best two way centerman in the game. A line is different than an individual player.

Also once again, a sample size of this season vs a whole career are two totally different things. It's like saying Pastrnak is better than Benn, Taveres, or Getzlaf because he has more points than them.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I sure hope Flames can keep Backlund somehow. If not, I hope they get all the prospects for him. I've been a fan since his stop here on the way to the WHL.

I hope that when that time comes they're holding onto players like Backlund for a playoff run. They better not be in a position where they're still trading pending UFAs for futures at that point.

[Demaeon]

Originally Posted by AC

According to the Ryan Leslie episode with Tkachuk, Matthew is living with Monahan and Sean's girlfriend.

Says they drag him along as a 3rd wheel on all their dates.

I wonder if they're super boring dates, like to the grocery store or shopping for linens.

[FlamesFan68]

Originally Posted by belsarius

I also think that the physicality that Tkachuk brings to the line can't be understated. Gaudreau would be more offensively dynamic, but he wouldn't be punishing on the forecheck and in the faces of the opponents. The ability to match skill with the pest makes him a hard opponent, even as a rookie. One of the reasons they are so effective is the relentless pursuit of Frolik and Backlund and the danger of getting punished by Tkachuk, it makes the other team prone to mistakes and turnovers. I just don't know that Johnny adds to the dynamic better than Tkachuk does.

I agree with everything you said. Believe me, with Gaudreau on that line the offensive zone time would increase. However, I'm presently happy with the setup right now. Why tinker with a big winning streak.

[joejoe3]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Backlund and Frolik are such mirror images of it's each, its great they've found chemistry on that "third" line. Such a good position for young players to ride shotgun on too.

Last season - Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
This season - Tkachuk - Backlund Frolik
Next season - ? ? ? - Backlund - Frolik

Janokwski, Klimchuk, Poirier, Shinkaruk, Mangiapane?

Patrick - Backlund - Frolik

[Flash Walken]

I am definitely on the Tkachukwagon

[Huntingwhale]

Backlund is the Cervical Vertebrae
Frolik is the Thoracic Vertebrae
Tkachuk is the Coccyx

[Jaydee]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Backlund is the Cervical Vertebrae
Frolik is the Thoracic Vertebrae
Tkachuk is the Coccyx

The Chad is the lumbar