Let's Talk About: Mikael Backlund

[cai]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Plus I think he really hates the Canucks. Thats the kind of thing i mean when im talking about character.

Oilers too. I remember him tweeting out #beatthecoilers once when he was injured. And I recall a video from a few years ago in which he was playing NHL 11 with Nybo and made Nybo be the Canucks because, "I hate them, I wanna beat them." (I also remember him saying "Luongo is sh-- terrible" in a video too. I don't know why I remember all of this.)

Obviously hockey playing ability is what's most important here, but the guy seems to really hate our two biggest rivals and he seems to be legitimately enthusiastic about Calgary and the Flames, despite everything. Having players who genuinely love their organization is a pretty special thing, and has to be important for a rebuilding team. I don't know the guy or anything, but he strikes me as very Connie-like in personality.

So even if he just tops out as a defensively responsible centre who can score on occasion, that will still be good, because you know he's going to be giving it his all for this organization, and that's something the Flames are really going to need.

[FAN]

I have been critical of Backlund in the past and I still have my doubts despite him taking a huge leap forward this year. But since the team seems to legitimately have started the rebuild, I think Backlund fits in really well in the near future given the team's lack of center depth. I'm still not sold on his upside and I see him more as a Kyle Wellwood (at his best) type player.

[t0rrent98]

IMO, the Flames rushed him into the NHL, should have played at least a season in the minors before jumping the gun. The likes of Sven and whom ever the next 3 2013 draft picks are I think should also get at least 1 season with the AHL club unless they are in the same group as Crosby/Skinner.

Thus, with a team like the Flames iced this year, I wouldn't dare play my young players.

The lockout has proved to be a good thing for Backlund, he's definitely a different person this year than he was last year.

[FlameZilla]

He looks good. Speedy, intelligent, good vision & solid defensively. He's a player we're going to rely on heavily going forward. Still improving & learning the ropes in the NHL. We're lucky to have him.

[Husky]

The issue is that so kBt people around here get stupid if a prospect doesn't make an impact say by early 20s. Let the kids developed.

[Badgers Nose]

He is filling out physically, and should be a solid contributor for a long time. Has a great attitude, genuinely happy to be here b

[Da_Chief]

Moving forward Backs is part of the solution. At worst he'll be a great 3rd line center.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

IMO, the Flames rushed him into the NHL, should have played at least a season in the minors before jumping the gun. The likes of Sven and whom ever the next 3 2013 draft picks are I think should also get at least 1 season with the AHL club unless they are in the same group as Crosby/Skinner.

Thus, with a team like the Flames iced this year, I wouldn't dare play my young players.

The lockout has proved to be a good thing for Backlund, he's definitely a different person this year than he was last year.

Whoever we select with our 1sts this year won't be eligible to play with the Heat next year. They would have to be on the NHL or back to juniors. That would put them at least two years away if you want them to spend some time in the AHL first. I expect whoever we tale with our pick will at least get their ten games to assess where they're at before being sent back down.

[edslunch]

Do we still have to book him for KHL or AHL in 2014?

[LouCypher]

I'll go on the record of booking him for the NHL 2014. Guy has drive and is getting better.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

IMO, the Flames rushed him into the NHL, should have played at least a season in the minors before jumping the gun. The likes of Sven and whom ever the next 3 2013 draft picks are I think should also get at least 1 season with the AHL club unless they are in the same group as Crosby/Skinner.

Thus, with a team like the Flames iced this year, I wouldn't dare play my young players.

The lockout has proved to be a good thing for Backlund, he's definitely a different person this year than he was last year.

Should the Flames get a top 3 pick in this draft, this player will be leaps and bounds better than anyone the Flames have drafted since like 1984, and more NHL ready than any player since the team has been in Calgary. So really I don't think a blanket statement like they all need to be in the minors applies. Players need to be judged on an individual basis, and players taken in the top 3 in a high majority of circumstances will be NHL ready or close to it. A player like one of the potential top 3 picks comes in and makes the Flames a better team from day 1. Even a player like Stamkos who had some struggles early on as a rookie, did benefit from being in the league from day 1.

[Five-hole]

Whereru Chris O'sullivan?

Knob.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by FAN

I have been critical of Backlund in the past and I still have my doubts despite him taking a huge leap forward this year. But since the team seems to legitimately have started the rebuild, I think Backlund fits in really well in the near future given the team's lack of center depth. I'm still not sold on his upside and I see him more as a Kyle Wellwood (at his best) type player.

Do you even know who Kyle wellwood is? That is a terrible analogy, yes they both have good hands, and aren't the most physical, but wellwood has been demoted because he doesn't back check, is never in good condition, and is a poor skater. Backlund is none of those things. So please explain how those two are similar....

[$ven27]

As long as he stays healthy i think he can become that reliable 2nd line center we all that he'd be.

[sa226]

He's going to be cheap, he has a good attitude. I think a realistic upside to him is a responsible 50-60 point centre. Low side is an inconsistent, oft injured 30-40 point guy.

Given his age and the direction the team is taking, it would be stupid not to sign him.

I think his trajectory is pretty typical for a guy like him. Got several tastes of the NHL but struggled with the pace and size of NHLers, worked on skating and strength, earned his spot in the lineup. Now he is trying to prove that he belongs as a top six contributer.

[PeteLFan]

We have our 3rd line C for the next 10 years. Now we need to fill the 1 and 2 hole, and we are good to go.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by atb

I think Backlund should have been on Feaster's "untouchable" list. IMO he's taken a huge step this year, and would have had a career year if it wasn't for injuries. Hopefully he can get a full season in next year. Definitely one of the players I'm excited about going forward.

I think he technically "is" on feasters untouchables list, but there is no way in hell a GM is going to state to the media that a guy they are about to go into contract negotiations with is one of 5 untouchables on the team. That's just asking to lose the negotiations.

[868904]

His new contract with the Flames is going to be real interesting. He's getting close to his last deal where by the Flames would still have free agency control. Another one year deal probably works best for him (if he thinks he's close to breaking out) and the team ( if they still aren't sure if he's for real).

[Nsd1]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

Sorry if this has been asked it posted before, but what have his previous injuries been? MCL and finger were the last two. Before that? Does he have history of certain injuries? I have 0 experience with ACL or MCL injuries, can they be problems later?

I think his shoulder is the only re-injury he's had but that's mostly because he thought he could fight Andrew Alberts last year. His injury problems didnt start until training camp last season. Since then he missed about 69 games due to injury.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

IMO, the Flames rushed him into the NHL, should have played at least a season in the minors before jumping the gun. The likes of Sven and whom ever the next 3 2013 draft picks are I think should also get at least 1 season with the AHL club unless they are in the same group as Crosby/Skinner.

Backlund did play almost a full year in the minors. 2009-10. Not sure what you're on about.

The lockout was a blessing in disguise for Backlund. Seems like he really got his offensive confidence back. I always had faith, he's an example of why fans need to have patience when it comes to young players. He's one of our most important pieces going forward.

As for your point about the AHL, there's pretty much zero chance our first pick sees any significant time in the AHL unless we take Barkov or Lindholm. Expect our top 3-4 pick to step right in.