[GDT] Red Wings vs Flames 7:00 - SNetW

[_Q_]

I've always been a big supporter of Backlund, but to be quite honest, his career has been a bit disappointing. I think he's quickly going into Kobasew and Saprykin part 2. He needs to show us more.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I've always been a big supporter of Backlund, but to be quite honest, his career has been a bit disappointing. I think he's quickly going into Kobasew and Saprykin part 2. He needs to show us more.

I can't wait for the Red Wings to sign this guy and turn him into one of the best two way centers in the league.

[getbak]

If Howard plays the way he did the last time the Wings were in town, it will be the perfect night for the fourth line to light it up.

[Stanley]

I had higher hopes/expectations for Backlund. He has turned into a pretty decent two-way player, but we need more out of him. He needs to improve offensively, quite honestly he doesn't create all that much consistently...and that's his biggest issue: consistency. I'm happy with the progress he's made in playing a more complete game, at times he can be our best C on the ice in all 3 zones, but I think it's time for him to step up the offense. Him playing on the 4th line sucks tho, but right now Colborne has simply won that icetime. His big body is very useful on a line with Cammy.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by belsarius

I am trying not to look at the pressbox as a reward/punishment thing with a rebuilding team and more as a developement tool. I was watching Baertschi and from game 1 he was working his bag off and putting in the time, to focus on the defensive side of the puck. In the few games before he got benched he was becoming more of a "safe" player. More dumping into the zone, more peeling back early. And there is nothing wrong with that, but in the same way Edmonton has ruined their youth by not giving them the training defensivally I think Baertschi and Backlund have both been too focused on that.

When people talk about sending kids back to junior there is always talk about confidence and losing it on the big stage. Baertschi to me looked like a player losing his offensive confidence, he wasn't trying to beat guys one on one, he wasn't taking the play to his opponents.

While a veteren will work through it, a rookie needs a more restrictive approach so he doesn't work himself down. I trust that the coaching staff understand the best method to use with their players.

The pressbox for young guys isn't meant to be "you are playing bad and are punished", but can be more of a "you could be better, take a new perspective and refocus on what you need to do."

I stand by Baertschi looking way more comfortable and confident since then and I think it may just do the same for Backlund. Hartley and the team are not only building a culture, but also training these guys to be complete players, not one sided dynammos.

Agree with most of this except for the bolded. I can remember 2 sick dangles through a couple defenders the last 2 games, and a sick backhand feed to Hudler. Had he (or Hudler) scored it would've been highlight of the night material. Baertschi is at his best when given time and space. He's still has his issues with board battles due to his size but it has improved a lot since opening night.

Originally Posted by Parallex

Yeah... I'm pretty much done with Hartley.

This thing with Backlund is the proverbial straw breaking the camels back. Gives MacDonald to many starts off the bat, then demotes and Benches Sven, then demotes and benches Backlund, then put's him back in the line-up in the worst position to address what he said he was benched for, does nothing to vets playing worse then either of them.

Just done with him.

Hard to argue with results. MacDonald wasn't lights out but we opened the season with points in 5 straight. If it ain't broke ...

Originally Posted by _Q_

I've always been a big supporter of Backlund, but to be quite honest, his career has been a bit disappointing. I think he's quickly going into Kobasew and Saprykin part 2. He needs to show us more.

Yeah, I dont think he's ever going to become the offensive threat he was scouted to be but if he can settle into a role as a defensive forward with face-off capabilities who has flashes of some solid offense he will still be really valuable.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Agree with most of this except for the bolded. I can remember 2 sick dangles through a couple defenders the last 2 games, and a sick backhand feed to Hudler. Had he (or Hudler) scored it would've been highlight of the night material. Baertschi is at his best when given time and space. He's still has his issues with board battles due to his size but it has improved a lot since opening night.




Hard to argue with results. MacDonald wasn't lights out but we opened the season with points in 5 straight. If it ain't broke ...




Yeah, I dont think he's ever going to become the offensive threat he was scouted to be but if he can settle into a role as a defensive forward with face-off capabilities who has flashes of some solid offense he will still be really valuable.

I think baertschi is great at board battles... I'm actually impressed how often he wins one on one or even two on one battles along the boards. He may not be very big and physical but he's very strong on his stick... As evident by how he is able to make quick stick lifts and steal pucks. His skills and hockey IQ are awesome... Plus he has a really high compete level. It might take some time, but he will be a 70+ point player in this league. Given top line minutes and 1st powerplay unit... He will be a points machine.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

So excited for tonight's game! I get to ride the Zamboni at 1st period intermission!! And I'm OLD so this is a huge treat for me, seeing as I figured I had aged past the chance of it ever happening!!!

GO FLAMS!!! (Flams seems to be lucky)

If you meet Steve Strachan please punch him in the face, while screaming "CP says "Hi!", bitch!"

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by MoreDrank

[IMG]Animated demon donkey[/IMG]

Halloween was *yesterday*

#nightmarish

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by FBI

Not sure how Backlund is supposed to redeem himself playing with Bouma and Mcgrattan.. I guess score 2 goals in 4 minutes of icetime.

I will bet my pubes that Backlund plays more than 4 minutes tonight. What will you do when you lose?

[TurnedTheCorner]

And last of the post quadrilogy:

You know Flames fans have had no centers for years when having 4 serviceable NHL centers is considered a "logjam".

[Hells Bells]

The scariest thing is that Hartley would likely prefer Street in the lineup over Backlund.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

And last of the post quadrilogy:

You know Flames fans have had no centers for years when having 4 serviceable NHL centers is considered a "logjam".

I like Backlund, he's turning into a very serviceable two way forward. It's funny cause everyone was complaining when they had him as a top 6 center, now he's bottom 6 and people are complaining again. Plain and simple, Backlund is getting beat, and outplayed, and he's getting moved down the depth chart.

I like the situation at center, and I hope Backlund pushes himself to be better. The Flames are getting that internal competition that drives teams to be better.

I like what Hartley is doing, he wants his players to be better, and he pushes them to be better. Red Auerbach was a genius in how he coached his teams, he never coached a team to beat another team, he coached his teams and players to be better each day, to push themselves, and exceed their own expectations... and in turn, your team becomes stronger, and better. I'm not saying Hartley is Auerbach, but he employs a lot of the same "tactics."

[Flames89]

For all we know backlund was coasting in practice, and that's why he was scratched.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Hells Bells

The scariest thing is that Hartley would likely prefer Street in the lineup over Backlund.

No, the scariest thing is that you think that. This is going to be a long rebuild for some.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by Hells Bells

The scariest thing is that Hartley would likely prefer Street in the lineup over Backlund.

sure thats why Street was on the 4th line and is now in the minors....


Its hard to believe the amount of angst for being benched one game. They are big boys - they are getting paid piles of money. they will come out and give it all they got and try to get it going.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Burner

Its hard to believe the amount of angst for being benched one game.

It's not benched 1 game it's benched 1 game and put on the 7 minute a game line with Pluggers and Goons for 2 games. IMO Backlund is at worst the second best center on the team.

And this is done (according to Hartley) because he wasn't showing enough in the offensive zone... that's coming from the coach who starts him more in the d-zone and only gives him PK minutes on special teams. Yeah well, duh... he's not going to show as much in the offensive zone if you generally start him so far from it, if you give him linemates that have poorer puck possession skills (the 4th line wingers), and have him play a bunch while you're down a man.

Does Hartley think he's Crosby or something? because Crosby is pretty much the only guy in the league that's likely still going to show something in the offensive zone with coaching assignments such that Hartley gives out to Backlund.

Hartley is setting him up to fail. Pure and simple.

[PeteMoss]

Scratching Backlund for Jackman was dumb... but having him as a 4th liner is fine. If he wants to move up he has to outplay one of the other three and he hasn't done that this year.

He'll end up getting PK minutes so he won't be getting McGratton minutes.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by Parallex

It's not benched 1 game it's benched 1 game and put on the 7 minute a game line with Pluggers and Goons for 2 games. IMO Backlund is at worst the second best center on the team.

And this is done (according to Hartley) because he wasn't showing enough in the offensive zone... that's coming from the coach who starts him more in the d-zone and only gives him PK minutes on special teams. Yeah well, duh... he's not going to show as much in the offensive zone if you generally start him so far from it, if you give him linemates that have poorer puck possession skills (the 4th line wingers), and have him play a bunch while you're down a man.

Does Hartley think he's Crosby or something? because Crosby is pretty much the only guy in the league that's likely still going to show something in the offensive zone with coaching assignments such that Hartley gives out to Backlund.

Hartley is setting him up to fail. Pure and simple.

Well when Colborne was on the 4th line - you saw the line gain the offensive zone and start the cycle. that is why IMHO is why he got moved up the food chain - you have to show something with the opportunity you are given

[Icon]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

And last of the post quadrilogy:

You know Flames fans have had no centers for years when having 4 serviceable NHL centers is considered a "logjam".

While true... Who do you demote to promote Backlund right now? That was my point.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

If he wants to move up he has to outplay one of the other three and he hasn't done that this year.

We'll have to agree to disagree because I think he's easily outplayed Colborne at least, Can't say he's been outplayed by Stajan 'cause Stajan hasn't played enough to make that call, and he plays in such dramatically different circumstances then Monahan to say that there either.