Backlund is a secret star!

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

What is secret spank exactly and why does Backlund do this.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by the2bears

You lack the courage to keep your old signature, so excuse me if I take you even less seriously now.

Well, for the record, my last 2 signatures have been removed. Blood in my veins, breathe in my lungs - certainly not by me.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Who is it you think you're fooling here? Do you honestly think you can just spout random bits of craziness and that it will just disappear?



YOU said Backlund wouldn't make it in the NHL. You had it (along with some other deluded ramblings) in your sig for the better part of two years until embarrassment caused you to change it.

Now, you lurk here waiting for opportunities to exclusively take swipes at the kid for no reason other than to save face with regard to the asinine comments you've made about him in the past. I get that it's your schtick, but do you seriously think you can come in here and act like it isn't crazy and pretend you haven't said things you very clearly did? I just can't fathom what it would be like to have this kind of agenda as a pass time.

I never removed my signature, but even as a proud flames fan, is this lineup better than those on an average KHL team?

When this team was in "go for the playoffs mode - yearly" Backlund was not a centrepiece. Then had a GM that signed 4 centers in an off-season that turned out not to be centers at all. I'm not sure that concludes our player conquered insurmountable odds to be our #1, but more he survived terrible management.

The only thing asinine is that every Backlund thread that gets put up (page 1 guaranteed) someone calling me out. Which is fine, once he hits 40 points in a season...or leads a team to the playoffs...or scores 20 goals, something.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

You keep insinuating that Backlund is some sort of a failure pick. You kept telling CP that he is NOT an NHL-caliber player and never will be, and that he should be plying his trade in the KHL.

Just maybe, MAYBE, you are wrong about him? That he is an EXCELLENT defensive center, and that we MIGHT be seeing the development of his offensive game to some degree? 39 points in 76 games with only 11 points coming off the PP isn't too shabby at all, and factoring in QofC and defensive zone starts (by which it simply IS more difficult circumstances to score under) makes his numbers seem pretty decent.

have to remain on your (quickly) sinking ship. Jump off, and admit that you are wrong

1) That Draft wasn't great unless you drafted someone named Jamie Benn
2) I still don't see his play as anything spectacular and if he doesn't continually improve (his age will and he'll gone soon enough).
3) One reason to rebuild is because you realize that prior to it, you may have been a good team with some good players, but you know that it won't lead to playoff successes. We have a cup from '89, how many Backlund types did we have on that team? What advanced stat will tell me that he won't go into the corners (unless vs. a Sedin Sister etc.) Won't finish a check and likewise.
4) You said you wouldn't go advanced stats, but then you brought up QofC and starts. I've made light of this on several threads, but why don't the advance stat guys - like yourself, bring us names of comparison. I just want to hear from one of you, that yes, he was better that J Toews, Sid Crosby, J Williams etc.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I like this article. There are two things a player needs to be successful. Quality and consistency. The flashes of quality have appeared on numerous occasions. Last year he found the consistency mid year. With a well documented series of events and a very solid second half. Pro rate that last half year, assuming there is reason to, and the debate subsides. I am pleased to watch the year unfold on an improving team and to see Backlund continue to grow. I am much less interested in any personal vendettas or defense of claims on the limited upside of a very young player. The guy is young but now obviously a NHLer who has never played for a good team and continues to develop. Onward and upward

[TheDebaser]

nm

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

I never removed my signature, but even as a proud flames fan, is this lineup better than those on an average KHL team?

When this team was in "go for the playoffs mode - yearly" Backlund was not a centrepiece. Then had a GM that signed 4 centers in an off-season that turned out not to be centers at all. I'm not sure that concludes our player conquered insurmountable odds to be our #1, but more he survived terrible management.

The only thing asinine is that every Backlund thread that gets put up (page 1 guaranteed) someone calling me out. Which is fine, once he hits 40 points in a season...or leads a team to the playoffs...or scores 20 goals, something.

Oh boy...you really just hate the player don't you? Not like Backlund was a young pup, trying to establish himself...

Ask yourself, if he was waived today, would there be multiple claims for him? If you don't believe there would be then you're insane. Get help, you're obsesses with him in a wrong way.

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

1) That Draft wasn't great unless you drafted someone named Jamie Benn
2) I still don't see his play as anything spectacular and if he doesn't continually improve (his age will and he'll gone soon enough).
3) One reason to rebuild is because you realize that prior to it, you may have been a good team with some good players, but you know that it won't lead to playoff successes. We have a cup from '89, how many Backlund types did we have on that team? What advanced stat will tell me that he won't go into the corners (unless vs. a Sedin Sister etc.) Won't finish a check and likewise.
4) You said you wouldn't go advanced stats, but then you brought up QofC and starts. I've made light of this on several threads, but why don't the advance stat guys - like yourself, bring us names of comparison. I just want to hear from one of you, that yes, he was better that J Toews, Sid Crosby, J Williams etc.

What does the strength of the draft have to do anything? While he's not ever going to be the #1 C we were hoping, Backlund is a damn fine NHL player. We see it, Treliving sees it, other fans see it, hockey writers/analysts/experts see it. Everybody except you... Even if he ends up being a #3 who tops out at 45-50 points, that is not a wasted pick. And certainly far from "KHL bound".

Why don't you just admitt you were wrong? I guarantee you, you will earn much more respect from others around here.

I especially love this line: "When this team was in "go for the playoffs mode - yearly" Backlund was not a centrepiece." Toffoli is not the centerpiece for the Kings, he sucks too, right? You're really grasping at straws here, just come out, say you were wrong, and we can all move on.

[CsInMyBlood]

Nice to see some recognition for Backlund.

Not nice to see every Backlund thread turn into a circus because of a poster who can't admit he is wrong about the player and continually says things about Backlund that are frankly embarrassing/insane/asinine. Why anyone would continue this self imposed crusade proving they don't have a clue about hockey is beyond me. Laughable stuff indeed.

Using your eyes to watch a game tells you that Backlund is turning into a great player. These advanced stats confirm the eye test. Monahan and Bennett with Backlund is a great one-two-three punch up the middle, regardless of what line they may play on.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

It's a pity that a thread about an awesome article was derailed and turned negative by a single poster. I'm always up for a debate, but there's no debating against blind hatred.

We should be talking about how well rounded and defensively responsible this young centre is. How his advanced stats match the solid 2 way play that we see every game from Backlund.

Instead a thread called 'Backlund is a secret star!' somehow turned into 'The Flames are pretty much a KHL team'.

[Geeoff]

Depending on how our players develop and how this draft goes, Backlund's future may not be with the Flames. I still think he's a good 3rd line centre but I would like someone better at faceoffs in his role imo.

[Poe969]

Unless a team over pays for Backlund or he's part of a BIG deal then I can't see him going anywhere even with the prospects we have. He's a great part of this team and I've grown to like him even more because of what he brings to this team. I'm sure he could always be converted to a third line winger if need be. He's young and he's also become somewhat of a leader on the team (or at least it looks that way), he isn't a vet and he's not a rookie...I think he'll be here for a while.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

It's a pity that a thread about an awesome article was derailed and turned negative by a single poster. I'm always up for a debate, but there's no debating against blind hatred.

We should be talking about how well rounded and defensively responsible this young centre is. How his advanced stats match the solid 2 way play that we see every game from Backlund.

Instead a thread called 'Backlund is a secret star!' somehow turned into 'The Flames are pretty much a KHL team'.

There has become more of a tendency to put on homer glasses and accept mediocrity as the standard.

This hockey news article they start off

On paper they look like they have one of the worst groups of centers in the league (we ranked their centers 29th in our season preview, ahead of only Buffalo),

and then go to say that Backlund is basically the tallest midget on the team.

You know that there is no debate when the rebutal is

but there's no debating against blind hatred

There is no debate against fan-boys.... people who over value who ever happens to be wearing a Flames uniform


I was labelled as a Stempniak hater when I expressed my dismay that Stempniak was counted on being such secret star on the Flames.

I think that the clear value of Stempniak as a Flame was a lot closer to what I was posting than what the people who thought I was just a mean hater with a personal grudge against Stempniak.

The Stempniak Flames fan club totally deserted Stempniak when he was a UFA.... There was no one who thought it would be a good idea for the Flames to get him back.... to sign him as a UFA.


Did his extremely poor performance in the playoffs make his limitations that much clearer than his multiple years of slumping when the Flames needed a few wins to make the playoffs? Or did taking off the Flaming C make the posters evaluate him to the league standard rather than the Flame Standard.


Backlund would not be a #1 Centre on any other team in the league. To say or think otherwise is significantly more fan boy than any hater stuff posts that points this out.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Backlund would not be a #1 Centre on any other team in the league. To say or think otherwise is significantly more fan boy than any hater stuff posts that points this out.

Nobody thinks Backlund is a #1 centre. I see Backlund as a 3rd line center that is very responsible defensively, and could be a solid 2nd if he manages to keep increasing his point totals.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Ya I don't think anybody stated that Backlund is a clear cut #1 centre. He's pretty much already been passed by Monahan on the Flames in that regard. But he's exactly what you want in a 2-3 centre and he's already at that level.

His defensive game is among the best in the league in regards to Centres. If he put up 70 points to go along with his defensive game, he'd be a surefire #1 centre. I don't think he'll get there or his ceiling even indicates that he could.

For the record, I don't throw the term 'Blind Hatred' around lightly and would only use it to describe 2-3 posters on this forum in regards to certain aspects of a player or the game. When a poster is only active in threads pertaining to a player they hate, I'll be sure to name them as such.

[codynw]

Also, I really liked Stempniak's game. I would rather have him with the team (on a short team deal) than Jones, Setoguchi, or even Glencross.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Anyone with a reasonably trained hockey eye that watches him can clearly see he is a very positive contributor even if he doesn't rack up the points. Very glad we didn't trade him last year, he's a keeper (unless someone bowls down the door with a supreme offer).

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Ya I don't think anybody stated that Backlund is a clear cut #1 centre. He's pretty much already been passed by Monahan on the Flames in that regard. But he's exactly what you want in a 2-3 centre and he's already at that level.

His defensive game is among the best in the league in regards to Centres. If he put up 70 points to go along with his defensive game, he'd be a surefire #1 centre. I don't think he'll get there or his ceiling even indicates that he could.

For the record, I don't throw the term 'Blind Hatred' around lightly and would only use it to describe 2-3 posters on this forum in regards to certain aspects of a player or the game. When a poster is only active in threads pertaining to a player they hate, I'll be sure to name them as such.

Not to incite the pessimists, but I don't see why not. I think he has a lot more skill than people think to add to his hockey sense everybody knows about, and while he may not have the size/skill that Kopitar or Toewes or Tavaras has, does he have more skill then, say, Daymond Langkow? I think he does.

Maybe he won't be a #1C as that will probably go to Monahan, but I see no problem predicting he can (already is?) a solid No 2 C. I also have no problems with Backlund's job being threatened, there is still a lot to play out, maybe Sam Bennett might develop into a better winger then a C, who knows. For now, I see Backlund in the long term plans as one of the top 2 C's on this team.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I guess it really comes down to how you define a 1st line Centre, a topic that has been beat to death. If you define a first line Centre as a player who can go against other top lines and have success against the opposition, then perhaps Backlund has the potential to be a 1st line Centre.

I personally do think he's a second line quality center. He plays well in any situation it seems (PK, PP, 5 on 5, Overtime) and also seems to be a big game player. The only reason he wouldn't become a 1st line player is due to being a jack-of-all-trades type player instead of master-of-none.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by codynw

Also, I really liked Stempniak's game. I would rather have him with the team (on a short team deal) than Jones, Setoguchi, or even Glencross.

How does it feel to be a Glencross hater?

WTH has Glencross done to you? Do you hate all rodeo cowboys who have taken home town discounts to play with the Flames?

^^^^

Obvious BS to show the argument technique common used to shut down non-fanboy debate.

There was a thread Name your top 5 UFA targets for the Flames where nobody at all on CP suggested that Stempniak should be signed.

This surprised me as there were alot who thought that he should be extened or re-signed prior to the trade to Pitts