Backlund is a secret star! - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctajones428

Good thing he didn't flat out say 70.

Backlund is capable of 60, especially when our young players develop more

Actually he will be less likely to hit 60 as the young players develop because two of those players are Monahan and Bennett who will be much better offensive players than Backlund and are pretty much a lock as the top two centres going forward. If Bennett is not thrown in the fire next year and Backlund gets 1st line minutes with wingers that have a career year, a ton of PP time, and has a career year himself he might hit 60, sure. But going forward in a few years he will either be our 3rd line C going forward or trade bait and if he is the 3rd line C there is no chance he is getting 60. I like Backlund, I really do but I think realistically he is best used on a good roster as a 3rd line C. He might become the best one in the NHL.

Vinny01 · 10-13-2014, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

If Michael Backlund ever nets 70 points on the Flames I will donate a sizable donation to CP in your name. It is not easy to get 70 points in the NHL with good linemates let alone the current scrubs we have. Toews had 68 points last year. Kopitar had 70. In no way is Backlund ever going to hit 70 points. No how, no way.

And there you go again. I make my point and you make your rebuttal based on one thing I say that misses the point of my arguement. Shawn Horcoff and Daymond Langkow hit over 70pts so they must be better than Kopitar and Towes hey? (Fyi I made this comment expecting it to be the one pointo I will bite on and make it seem like it is the point of my post)

You say Bavklud is nothing more than a 40-50pt 3rd line center. I argue that it is too early to say that citing some Swedes that didn't hit their prime until later in their 20's. Your reply is Backlund is not as good as the twins. My reply again is he hasn't hit his peak and mate e can get those solid second line numbers in the 60-70 point range and your reply fixates on the 70pt number.

You think Backlund is about as good as he will be and I think he can be better agree to disagree

GoJetsGo · 10-13-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Actually he will be less likely to hit 60 as the young players develop because two of those players are Monahan and Bennett who will be much better offensive players than Backlund and are pretty much a lock as the top two centres going forward. If Bennett is not thrown in the fire next year and Backlund gets 1st line minutes with wingers that have a career year, a ton of PP time, and has a career year himself he might hit 60, sure. But going forward in a few years he will either be our 3rd line C going forward or trade bait and if he is the 3rd line C there is no chance he is getting 60. I like Backlund, I really do but I think realistically he is best used on a good roster as a 3rd line C. He might become the best one in the NHL.

What is your issue here? There's an article about how Backs has been playing much better than most have noticed as of late. People point out it's feasible he still has room to grow, and the thread has now turned into you policing people's reactions. Chill.

Rick M. · 10-13-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Weren't te Sedins scoring 40-50pts at the same age? Swedes take time to develop and adjust to the NHL sometimes. Backlund is just starting to hit his stride you can see how confident he is now and definitely can hold onto the puck much longer.

One thing I wonder is what will happen with Backlund if the Flames land a top 2 pick next summer? With Monahan-Bennett and one of McDavid/Eichel the flames would be set up the middle for years. Either Bennett or McDavid/Eichel or Backlund moves to the wing or the flames cut bait with one of the players. Really fun situation to think about. Having said that if the Flames don't add a centre next draft thinking about Monahan/Bennett/Backlund as a Center core could also be the foundation of a contender for years to come.

It will be very interesting to see what the Flames do with guys like Backlund, Granlund, Colborne, Arnold, Knight, Stajan, Reinhart as the team matures. Some mY be shifted to the wing and others moved for immediate upgrades

Look at the L.A. Kings' centers: Kopitar, Carter, Stoll and Richards. Not a dud among them and L.A. is often the 'heavy hockey' model Burke likes to reference. We'd be nuts to let Backlund get away. We can still use him when we're a contender.

gvitaly · 10-13-2014, 02:50 PM

The problem with star status is that it is always build on the question of "what have you done for me lately?". It is very hard to play well enough and consistently enough to be considered a star. At the moment for Backlund a stretch of bad games will put a question mark on the entire previous season.

This season he has a contract year, a well earned leadership role, and the toughest matchups on the team(among the forwards). Hartley and Backlund seem to work well together to help him keep improving. However, points for Backlund will remain as a huge unknown at least for the next two seasons. Why? because his offense doesn't seem to come from set plays. It is his pressure on the puck, and forcing giveaways that seemed to generate most of his chances last season. This season so far the Flames still pursue the puck more like individuals and not as a team, until that changes Backlund's offense will suffer.

Regarding 60 points, I don't think that Backlund will be ever used in that role. Which of Backlund's skills do you think will get him so many points? Backlund's shot, his passing, or his stick handling? Don't get me wrong he does all those things well, just not well enough to be used in a prime offensive role. It is Backlund's game all over the ice that gets him into the conversation of being a star. As a result, for now I will just keep seeing such predictions as Flames fans' wishful thinking... and on this matter I would be more than glad to be wrong!

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

What is your issue here? There's an article about how Backs has been playing much better than most have noticed as of late. People point out it's feasible he still has room to grow, and the thread has now turned into you policing people's reactions. Chill.

My issue is the article is full of you know what from the headline on. Backlund is never going to be a star centre. Not now, not ever. Then it goes on to compare him to top tier centres in the league. If the article was about Backlund being better that would be fine, but it really reaches instead. And how is my opinion policing others reactions? Because I don't agree with some? It is a message board, opinions will differ.

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

And there you go again. I make my point and you make your rebuttal based on one thing I say that misses the point of my arguement. Shawn Horcoff and Daymond Langkow hit over 70pts so they must be better than Kopitar and Towes hey? (Fyi I made this comment expecting it to be the one pointo I will bite on and make it seem like it is the point of my post)

You say Bavklud is nothing more than a 40-50pt 3rd line center. I argue that it is too early to say that citing some Swedes that didn't hit their prime until later in their 20's. Your reply is Backlund is not as good as the twins. My reply again is he hasn't hit his peak and mate e can get those solid second line numbers in the 60-70 point range and your reply fixates on the 70pt number.

You think Backlund is about as good as he will be and I think he can be better agree to disagree

You sure know how to squirm out of things you said. You brought up the Sedin's, not me. You were obviously using them as a comparison. Langkow and Horcoff hit 70 points in a different era and did it once, Toews and Kane are near it consistantly. Time will tell if Michael Backlund is the star in the making you believe he is. I am pretty sure he will be a solid 2 way centre more valued for his work ethic and defensive play than points. We will see though.

Where ru Chris O'Sullivan · 10-13-2014, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

My issue is the article is full of you know what from the headline on. Backlund is never going to be a star centre. Not now, not ever. Then it goes on to compare him to top tier centres in the league. If the article was about Backlund being better that would be fine, but it really reaches instead. And how is my opinion policing others reactions? Because I don't agree with some? It is a message board, opinions will differ.

Well, your heading for Troll status, bringing reality into this forum (but only when it's aimed at Backs).

Disillusioned CPer's will always believe that the franchise player in hand is preventing the prospect from becoming a star. (See the iginla hatred his past few years here). But even worse, their anointed prodigal sons (Backs, Sven is going to be the next one). Will always be much better than their production or on ice contributions, always.

These CPer's spin a "benching" for non performance into "lack of ice time/ top line minutes (that so obviously affected his production...) they spin lack of point production into bad line mates / stupid coaching / defensive zone starts / face offs, anything to coddle a player.

Has there not been enough talk about Backs? Isn't time for him to just produce, or we still need advanced stats to remind us how great he is?

chubeyr1 · 10-13-2014, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You sure know how to squirm out of things you said. You brought up the Sedin's, not me. You were obviously using them as a comparison. Langkow and Horcoff hit 70 points in a different era and did it once, Toews and Kane are near it consistantly. Time will tell if Michael Backlund is the star in the making you believe he is. I am pretty sure he will be a solid 2 way centre more valued for his work ethic and defensive play than points. We will see though.

I think at this stage in Backlunds career a solid 2 way centre is the role he has positioned himself to be.

Using names like Sedins, toews and kane are fans being unrealistic. They have the right to their own opinion. Yet we waited along long time for Backlund to break out. People saying 60 or 70 points? When and how will this happens?

I am finally glad Backlund figured out his role in the NHL. I am not going to bash him saying he is a scrub. I think he can be an elite number 3 shutdown center. A Stephan Yelle type centre, but got to get better at faceoffs.

He will not get a chance to be that first line centre in the coming years. That's Monahan, Bennett, and our 2015 draft picks role. To be fair he has already had that chance. Sure injuries play a part in this, linemates too, yet he has never shown that elite ability.

Not hating on the player, his progression to be an elite number 3 center is fantastic. He may even find himself as a first line center this year but he is miscast for this position. We just don't have many options right now, but they are coming.

the2bears · 10-13-2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Well, your heading for Troll status, bringing reality into this forum (but only when it's aimed at Backs).

Disillusioned CPer's will always believe that the franchise player in hand is preventing the prospect from becoming a star. (See the iginla hatred his past few years here). But even worse, their anointed prodigal sons (Backs, Sven is going to be the next one). Will always be much better than their production or on ice contributions, always.

These CPer's spin a "benching" for non performance into "lack of ice time/ top line minutes (that so obviously affected his production...) they spin lack of point production into bad line mates / stupid coaching / defensive zone starts / face offs, anything to coddle a player.

Has there not been enough talk about Backs? Isn't time for him to just produce, or we still need advanced stats to remind us how great he is?

What happened to your old signature?

GoJetsGo · 10-13-2014, 05:01 PM

Congrats to dissentowner. What should have been yet another opportunity to laugh at 'Where ru Chris O'Sullivan' for his continued assertions that Backlund would be KHL bound (unable to play in the NHL) instead turned into a table setting for him to continue his victim / hating routine.

That article just shows that Backund is an underrated young player who has the potential to get even better than he already is. The semantics in this thread are ridiculous. The stats show he's already a valuable player, and if he ends up anywhere near comparable to some of those names in even a more limited role, we should all be grateful as Flame fans.

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Congrats to dissentowner. What should have been yet another opportunity to laugh at 'Where ru Chris O'Sullivan' for his continued assertions that Backlund would be KHL bound (unable to play in the NHL) instead turned into a table setting for him to continue his victim / hating routine.

That article just shows that Backund is an underrated young player who has the potential to get even better than he already is. The semantics in this thread are ridiculous. The stats show he's already a valuable player, and if he ends up anywhere near comparable to some of those names in even a more limited role, we should all be grateful as Flame fans.

Yes, because I can control what others post. Why don't you go troll a Jets board.

GoJetsGo · 10-13-2014, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Yes, because I can control what others post. Why don't you go troll a Jets board.

It’s like you saw the word “ star” in the title of the article, saw some of the names being referenced for the sake of comparing the statistics - and blew a gasket.

The words "secret star" in the title is clearly alluding to the fact he’s a young, relatively unknown player (league wide) quietly putting together some very solid statistics (as referenced by the graphs). Also lost on you is the fact that many of those names wouldn’t be considered “stars” in general. Putting up solid numbers in a second or third line role doesn’t have to equate to stardom, but they are important players nonetheless.

Lastly, referencing the Sedins to illustrate some players (in this case, fellow Swedes) don’t break out and meet their potential until a little later on in their 20s does not mean that poster thinks Backlund is going to equal the Sedins. That was so obvious it should have gone without saying.

All in all, it seems that a really straight forward article about how Backlund is progressing into a good young centre quickly became a spat about a few hot button words / player names when that clearly wasn’t the intention of the article. The fact the thread veered so far off into trying to downplay Bakclund in a Flames forum is especially sad, seeing how it went from an opportunity to underline the ludicrousness of “where are u Chris O’Sullivan” to allowing him to further his asinine agenda.

Calgary4LIfe · 10-13-2014, 06:23 PM

Call me crazy, but posting that Backlund COULD hit 60 or 70pts in a season (in a season, not the 'norm' or the future expectations) doesn't sound so outlandish to me.

Backlund hit 39points last year. He started off the season with few minutes, being a healthy scratch, playing on the 4th line, and playing predominantly with players that can't put the puck in the net.

Is it that foolish of an idea that MAYBE, given a good start and with much better line mates (as we should expect once this rebuild is over), that he COULD hit 60 or maybe even 70points a couple of times in his career?

Well, call me crazy then. I didn't read anything in Vinny's posts about him being a perennial 70+pt player. He shows an example of the Sedins and how they started slowly in the NHL, and became elite, and then gets jumped on for making that comparison, even though he didn't even once say Backlund = Sedins. I thought it was a good example at how some Europeans develop in the NHL, actually. Not a 'rule', but definitely something that was true in some cases.

Honestly, I don't see how Chris O'Sullivan can even join in any reasonable discussions about Backlund. He kept insisting that Backlund is KHL-bound, and simply isn't good enough to play in the NHL. So, I guess him putting up 39 points with lousy wingers against the league's BEST players is basically 'lucky' then.

There is only one single thing I would take out of his posts in the future with regards to a Backlund conversation - "I was wrong". If he is not an NHL player, then I guess I must have missed the KHL buying out the NHL.

LouCypher · 10-13-2014, 06:33 PM

Nice to see people are starting to notice Backlund more, the guy works really hard to get better and I would also not be surprised to see him hit 60-70 points eventually maybe as soon as this season. Even over 50 with some continued solid play would be great numbers for him. If the guy keeps working as hard as we know he can everything else should fall into place, I think his offensive talents have yet to fully blossom. He is one of the reasons why Stajan has drifted down the lineup the past couple seasons.

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Is it that foolish of an idea that MAYBE, given a good start and with much better line mates (as we should expect once this rebuild is over), that he COULD hit 60 or maybe even 70points a couple of times in his career?

Do you believe once the rebuild is over that Backlund will get top 6 ice time at centre over Monahan and Bennett? I certainly don't.

ForeverFlameFan · 10-13-2014, 06:57 PM

Backlund at best can hit 60 points. Anything past that is a long shot.

Arya Stark · 10-13-2014, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Do you believe once the rebuild is over that Backlund will get top 6 ice time at centre over Monahan and Bennett? I certainly don't.

What if Backlund is on another team?

dissentowner · 10-13-2014, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arya Stark

What if Backlund is on another team?

60 points might be possible with high end linemates. I don't think big numbers is what Backlund will bring best to the table though.

Major Major · 10-13-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Do you believe once the rebuild is over that Backlund will get top 6 ice time at centre over Monahan and Bennett? I certainly don't.

Seems fairly irrelevant. He will get more icetime for the next 2 or possibly three years than one or both of those guys. I don't think he will get to 70, but to think high 50's or low 60's is out of the question for Backlund is a fairly silly thing to be predicting at this point.