[PGT] Flames fall 4-2 in Hashville

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

A lot goes into this overall equation. The goal to me after what will be a long rebuild, will be the emergence of a team that can hopefully get to the final 4 (and beyond) for 2-3 seasons (at least!).

I'm hoping CP understands that goals against CAR and NSH, when we've been long eliminated from the post season, should be weighted against performance vs. the elite teams.

He still plays a soft game, hoping he continues to put up points and can be moved eventually, but not for a late pick, but as part of a deal to bring in a top prospect or high pick.

Getting rid of Stajan to make room for him is silly, he had this "room" early this year and did nothing with it. If we move or don't move Stajan - it should solely be because it makes sense because of the return.

So, your prediction is that Backlund will play in the KHL this year. That's never going to happen. Who's stupid now?

[formulate]

Originally Posted by driveway

Mikael Backlund has consistently been one of, if not our best possession players all season long. We take more shots when he's on the ice, that is an undeniable fact, and a hugely valuable one.

After Giordano, he's the MVP of the Flames, has been over the course of the whole season, and - in terms of possession stats - has not experienced any significant slumps. He is exactly the kind of player we need to have if we ever expect to be successful Trading him for anything short of a top-3 pick would be lunacy.

Prediction: Backlund will be a lock for the 2018 Swedish Olympic team.

I would think Hudler would have to be in that conversation as well, definitely our offensive MVP.

To your point though, Backlund is now above 50% in corsi (possession proxy), and actually 14th in the entire league in relative corsi (ie. how much worse is your team when you're not on the ice).

Don't know about your anything-other-than-top-3-pick value, but certainly trading him for picks wouldn't make any sense to me.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by formulate

Don't know about your anything-other-than-top-3-pick value, but certainly trading him for picks wouldn't make any sense to me.

24 year old player with a 1.5 million cap-hit, who's still an RFA when the contract expires, is a six-foot, two-hundred pound centre, contributes offensively, defensively responsible, and one of the best puck-possession players in the league.

What would you say that's worth? To me, that sounds like the kind of guy you only deal for serious blue-chip futures or current top-line or top-pairing roster players.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

There is a certain prospect I wish to bring up, but won't.

That's okay. The Flames won't bring him up either.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by UKflames

When do we cut a prospect a break and enjoy when one of them starts to do well rather than looking for the next opportunity for him to fail.

Maybe when they do it for a whole season.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by driveway

24 year old player with a 1.5 million cap-hit, who's still an RFA when the contract expires, is a six-foot, two-hundred pound centre, contributes offensively, defensively responsible, and one of the best puck-possession players in the league.

What would you say that's worth? To me, that sounds like the kind of guy you only deal for serious blue-chip futures or current top-line or top-pairing roster players.

Score three goals and become one of the best players in the league. Is this CP or HFBoards?

[formulate]

Originally Posted by driveway

24 year old player with a 1.5 million cap-hit, who's still an RFA when the contract expires, is a six-foot, two-hundred pound centre, contributes offensively, defensively responsible, and one of the best puck-possession players in the league.

What would you say that's worth? To me, that sounds like the kind of guy you only deal for serious blue-chip futures or current top-line or top-pairing roster players.

I never said best in the league puck-possession. One of the best in the league compared to the rest of his team, yes. It's kind of a strange metric in that being on a bad team (though having good linemates helps) makes you look better. Not to say that it isn't encouraging to see his name so high on that list.

While most of your description is true, his career highs are 10 goals and 25 points. His best pace (last year) is 20-20-40. He's been somewhat inconsistent and injury prone. Do you think any GM would give up a Nurse or Horvat-type prospect for him? Let alone a top-pairing guy like a Yandle?

I don't know exactly what his value is (maybe a late first and meh prospect), but clearly (something we agree on) he has more value to the Flames than in a trade right now.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by jeffman

Stajan struggling since Backes took out his knee

Not only that....but he was getting roughed up a lot during that 5-7 game stretch. Blocking shots, getting hit, getting pushed around.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by formulate

I would think Hudler would have to be in that conversation as well, definitely our offensive MVP.

To your point though, Backlund is now above 50% in corsi (possession proxy), and actually 14th in the entire league in relative corsi (ie. how much worse is your team when you're not on the ice).

Don't know about your anything-other-than-top-3-pick value, but certainly trading him for picks wouldn't make any sense to me.

Agreed: trading Backlund for picks now that he is becoming the stud we all thought he could be would rank up there with some of the very stupidest trades in team history.

And holy crap, that really is saying something! This team should be banned from making trades.

Backkund will be one of the veteran presence baby sitters next year that people keep emphatically saying the Flames will need in order to shelter the kids.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Well Cp never fails to deliver. We finally have a player that we developed ourselves, playing well, potting a few goals along the way and all we can do is bash him saying the sample size is too small and he was in the press box previously.

When do we cut a prospect a break and enjoy when one of them starts to do well rather than looking for the next opportunity for him to fail.

One person said that. Everyone else is praising him. Not sure how one person turn into "CP"

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by Ped

Maybe when they do it for a whole season.

Man you are never going to be satisfied then, even the top players have slumps so don't do it for a whole season, as you put it.

I'm guessing you are looking to trade Monahan as well because he hasn't done it for a whole season yet, in fact he hasn't done it for the whole of the season so far, so on the small sample size we have you must be pretty uninspired by him.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Man you are never going to be satisfied then, even the top players have slumps so don't do it for a whole season, as you put it.

I'm guessing you are looking to trade Monahan as well because he hasn't done it for a whole season yet, in fact he hasn't done it for the whole of the season so far, so on the small sample size we have you must be pretty uninspired by him.

Not but let's see if this spate of games where Backlund appears to have turned the corner, is the norm and not the exception, before we declare him a stud.

He may well be. He's not yet.

[mrdonkey]

Some of the comments in this thread sound like they were written by Oilers fans. Let's not get carried away here.

[Resolute 14]

I think the mods should lock Where r u Chris O'Sullivan's signature so that he can never change it.

[PIMking]

game sucked but here is one of my fav pictures from last night

[PIMking]

[the-rasta-masta]

Glad to see Backlund doing well. After he played so well last year I was expecting a bigger jump this year and was disappointed at his start. Hope he can keep up his good play as I have been one of his biggest advocates over the past few years. He has always played so well defensively and it is nice to see him getting some confidence at the other end of the ice.

[bluloc]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Would you take the 10th overall pick in the next draft for Backlund?

I know I wouldn't and he better not be on the trade block.

You're nuts. That would be a no brainer.

[AC]

Here's the Backlund wrestling match:

[Plett25]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

MiKaeL BacKlunD (Backs!): KHL/AHL player by 2014 - book it. (Jan.5 2012) [Update - Delayed 1 year due to lockout~!]
Read Backlund's CP Poll for a laugh: http://forum.calgarypuck.com/poll.ph...lts&pollid=790
One poster got his totals right, Check the 16 who said he was hitting 61+ points! (Maybe they mis-read the poll believing it was his last 3 seasons combined, but either way - still wrong).

I just wanted to quote this so I can find it after he changes his sig