Let's Talk About: Mikael Backlund

[Textcritic]

I'm really impressed by Backlund since the TD, and will be happy to see what he can do with a full season, with Baertschi stapled to his wing next year.

It bears mention. Since he returned from injury on 9 March:

22 games, 5 goals, 12 points. I think more and more now that he projects to be a very solid second-line centre in the next 2–3 years. I also can't wait to see what Where R U Chris O'Sullivan has to say the next time he chimes in on Backlund's play. We're only eight months away from 2014.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I'm really impressed by Backlund since the TD, and will be happy to see what he can do with a full season, with Baertschi stapled to his wing next year.

It bears mention. Since he returned from injury on 9 March:

22 games, 5 goals, 12 points. I think more and more now that he projects to be a very solid second-line centre in the next 2–3 years. I also can't wait to see what Where R U Chris O'Sullivan has to say the next time he chimes in on Backlund's play. We're only eight months away from 2014.

Thought I saw a beacon flashing over the night sky....

As I've mentioned in previous threads, Backlund can do nothing but benefit from this shortened season. Everyone is happily pro-rating him as a 2nd line centre.... a sure fire 20++++ goal scorer, I can't wait for the poll prior to next season where we predict his point totals!

In reality, he is oft-injured, he's benefitting from this team's GM having signed about 4 Centres supposedly better than him in the off-season, to which none actually turned out to be a centre.

This is all "Garbage time", no one is taking us seriously, or worried about us, everyone is looking 'ahead". It will be interesting next season when games matter again, what his production is like.

Sorry, I haven't seen 2nd line calibre centre play since he arrived and I still do not. But, what is good for the Flames is good for me, lets hope CP's golden child can deliver next year.

[FlameZilla]

I hope you didn't bet the house on that KHL bet, Chris. Backlund is here to stay.

[albertGQ]

What's his next contract? 3 years for $7.5M?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

What's his next contract? 3 years for $7.5M?

Won't be three years (or at least shouldn't). It'll be 1, 2, or 4... three years would take him to his earliest opportunity for free agency and I would want to either buy at least one UFA year on top of his remaining restricted years or I want the next contract to still leave him at RFA status (more leverage).

If I'm the Flames I think I sign him to a two year deal to maintain the RFA leverage.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Backlund is going to be our ROR. The team needs to get him signed to a longer term contract...I think the switch is going to go off in this kids head soon...

[Igottago]

He is definitely getting there. He seems to have a whole new level of belief in himself that will surely continue to grow. One of the best parts of this season has been watching backlund take another step forward. I feel like he'll be a very good NHL player next season l just hope he stays healthy.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Thought I saw a beacon flashing over the night sky....

As I've mentioned in previous threads, Backlund can do nothing but benefit from this shortened season. Everyone is happily pro-rating him as a 2nd line centre.... a sure fire 20++++ goal scorer, I can't wait for the poll prior to next season where we predict his point totals!

In reality, he is oft-injured, he's benefitting from this team's GM having signed about 4 Centres supposedly better than him in the off-season, to which none actually turned out to be a centre.

This is all "Garbage time", no one is taking us seriously, or worried about us, everyone is looking 'ahead". It will be interesting next season when games matter again, what his production is like.

Sorry, I haven't seen 2nd line calibre centre play since he arrived and I still do not. But, what is good for the Flames is good for me, lets hope CP's golden child can deliver next year.

1) Oft injured- All his injuries are unrelated (MCL sprain, Fluke broken finger in training camp, shoulder messed up from defending his team mate and getting jumped, blocking a shot and breaking his foot) it isn't like he is Bergeron, Skinner, etc who have the same lingering injury over and over again. So that is a moot point.

2) your point total argument have you looked at his ice time? If you had you would realized before his injury he got 0PP time (other then the first 3 games of the season) when Iggy was traded he was then put on the PP and there has been a rapid increase in his points. Not only does he have skill (see his goals against Vancouver 2 years ago, the shot against Lou at the beginning of the season, and goal against the Kings this year) But he is starting to get the goals from driving the net too (see Minnesota, Edmonton goals this year)

3) The guy is still 24 years old and has yet to enter his prime, considering he will get stronger, he can already skate with anyone, and will get more PP time the kid should only improve, especially if he finally gets line mates.

4) How did he benefit from 4 centers being signed who aren't centers? Begin was signed to be a 13th forward, Cervenka to be the first line center so there is one (in which Tanguay filled) and Stajan was penciled in as the 4th line center. Not sure how you came up with that made up number... Backlund was supposed to be the 2nd/3rd line guy this season, and has been the best center on this team.

I think most of your arguments against him are opinions and not facts, basically you made an outlandish claim that he would no longer be in the NHL, and now you are making up stuff to defend your poorly thought out thesis.

[t0rrent98]

I have to admit, Backlund has impressed me this year. All these times I have been thinking he needed more seasoning down in the AHL but he has proved me wrong. I'm hoping he bulks up even more and still competes hard night after night in the years to come.

[Stay Golden]

I was discouraged by Backlund last season but there is no doubt he appears to have turned a page. I think he re-found his confidence in Europe during the lock out and just carried that attitude into this season.
I would say Backlund has made a big jump forward for progress this year. I see a 3 or 4 year deal being offered. His 1 year deal was clearly a test for him to prove to himself and the Flames he is worth a longer term contract i think he has earned that.
Especially as this season progressed he showed me anyways great character.

[FlameZilla]

Backlund, in his development, reminds me of the Sedins & Marcus Naslund. There seems to be a class of Swedish skill player that takes more time to develop than others. I'm really glad we didn't give up on him through his struggles because I think this is only the beginning as his confidence grows and his body gains strength.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Backlund, in his development, reminds me of the Sedins & Marcus Naslund. There seems to be a class of Swedish skill player that takes more time to develop than others. I'm really glad we didn't give up on him through his struggles because I think this is only the beginning as his confidence grows and his body gains strength.

He reminds me of any young player period. For whatever reason people tend to think that all young players need to be impact players by the time they are 21-22 years old. People write-off young players way too often.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Thought I saw a beacon flashing over the night sky....

As I've mentioned in previous threads, Backlund can do nothing but benefit from this shortened season. Everyone is happily pro-rating him as a 2nd line centre.... a sure fire 20++++ goal scorer, I can't wait for the poll prior to next season where we predict his point totals!

In reality, he is oft-injured, he's benefitting from this team's GM having signed about 4 Centres supposedly better than him in the off-season, to which none actually turned out to be a centre.

This is all "Garbage time", no one is taking us seriously, or worried about us, everyone is looking 'ahead". It will be interesting next season when games matter again, what his production is like.

Sorry, I haven't seen 2nd line calibre centre play since he arrived and I still do not. But, what is good for the Flames is good for me, lets hope CP's golden child can deliver next year.

With all due respect, you are insane.

Backlund has been fantastic this season.

[Wolven]

The main thing I have noticed this season is that when Backlund was in the lineup, the Flames played better. When he was not in the lineup we played significantly worse.

Hopefully he can stop getting these annoying injuries, such as broken fingers, and put together a few full campaigns in a row.

[$ven27]

Clearly Backlund has egged Where ru Chris O'Sullivan's house multiple times.

[Zevo]

I think he 'egged' his mom by the vitriolic criticism he spews at him.

[Joker]

Ive been one of his biggest critics thus-far. I will say I am now a little more optimistic. I just cant ignore the injuries.I think they are a result of him being weak or something. It was pointed out to me, that he is about as big as Begin(height/weight), which floored me because all i see is him getting tossed.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Joker

Ive been one of his biggest critics thus-far. I will say I am now a little more optimistic. I just cant ignore the injuries.I think they are a result of him being weak or something. It was pointed out to me, that he is about as big as Begin(height/weight), which floored me because all i see is him getting tossed.

I'd really like to see him do some serious muscle training over the summer, like whatever Stempniak did last summer/lockout. He wasn't too bad before but now he's built like a brick s***house. I remember like 10 years ago(dayum) Briere said he trained with a wrestler or something and really built up muscle mass. That seemed to trigger his breakout.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Sorry, I haven't seen 2nd line calibre centre play since he arrived and I still do not. But, what is good for the Flames is good for me, lets hope CP's golden child can deliver next year.

He's been playing like one for the most part of his season.

Damn you bitter

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Guess Where ru hasn't actually seen most of the games this season because saying Backlund hasn't shown top two line play this year is like proudly announcing to the board, "I'm a complete ignoramus!".

It's kind of like saying Brodie hasn't shown top 3 defenceman play this year.

Brodie and Backlund have been our two most impressive young players this year. Sven is starting to come along as well but is nowhere near consistently impacting the game like Backlund has been.