QOTD: What to make of Mikael Backlund?

[transplant99]

actually...nm

[IgiTang]

I don't think anyone is anti-backlund. He's a heart and soul type player who loves playing in Calgary. No doubt.

But is he still progressing or is this about it? Disappearing acts and injuries interrupted by moments of grit and brilliance?

If he's only getting 4th line minutes and that will continue, then he needs to be moved. He's being paid too much and still has too much potential value to waste away on the fourth line.

For the record, i hope he does get it together and takes the next step. Bennett is too green to be that offensive second line threat that brings it day in day out... Perhaps he can, but it can't be expected.

[calgaryblood]

He hasn't been that bad. Definitely not worthy of a thread dedicated to his sub par play. He's played as good as the rest of the average bottom 9 forwards. Aside from Frolik and the top line no one has been great.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

He hasn't been that bad. Definitely not worthy of a thread dedicated to his sub par play. He's played as good as the rest of the average bottom 9 forwards. Aside from Frolik and the top line no one has been great.

yeah...IMO he has been that bad, terrible actually.

As good as Bolig and Stajan etc? That's not exactly a ringing endorsement as he should be much much better than they are. His role is expected to be completely different.

He has not been good since day 1 of camp. Maybe he is injured and it explains some of what we have seen, but if not he is a liability who has pulled this disappearing act before,

Its always a reason with him, some valid and some not so much. he needs to be a whole lot better regardless though or it's time to move on and give someone else a shot who may be hungrier and doesn't take his position for granted.

[IgiTang]

I just don't understand the demotion or relegation to the 4tg line. If he's injured, sit him. We have guys that can step in. If its timing or conditioning, put him in the press box for a couple games. If there is thoughts of moving him, put him with decent guys to showcase him. Don't put him on the 4th line until he improves and kill his confidence. Sure, the press box may hurt a bit but it could light a fire under his butt.

If its a matter of balancing lines, He is not the kind of guy that would thrive from dramatically reduced minutes.

Honest question though, what is his value . The trade market and what teams could use a guy like him in their middle 6?

[Stanley]

Yea something's off about him...

Not to play the "blame the linemates" card, but I've always felt Backlund should play with some slightly more skilled wingers to get his offensive game going, while also providing his defensive awareness to balance it out.

If they're sticking with the practice lineup of Bennett/Backlund/Frolik for tomorrow's game, I'm interested to see how that plays out...

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by transplant99

If hes not the guy to make others better, then the Flames don't need him.

Yes. The centre should make the wingers better, generally.

[BruceCody]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

... it's been three games ...

"... it's been 30 games ..." soon
stay positive

[kyuss275]

He's been off, but will get it together. IMO, i have always seem him as a 2B/ 3rd line center. So i'm not sure what some posters are thinking he is going to become.

Put me in the camp that using the " play with better line-mates" is a load of crap. If he is as good as some think, then he should elevate the other wingers game, not drop down to their level.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Yea something's off about him...

Not to play the "blame the linemates" card, but I've always felt Backlund should play with some slightly more skilled wingers to get his offensive game going, while also providing his defensive awareness to balance it out.

If they're sticking with the practice lineup of Bennett/Backlund/Frolik for tomorrow's game, I'm interested to see how that plays out...

I love that line.

[CsInMyBlood]

I bet if Backlund goes on a three game scoring streak, the same guys that are being so hard on him here will be quick to tell us, "its only been three games, big deal."

Im a huge Backlund supporter, but he has been quite underwhelming so far in these three games. I don't think his game suits having Bollig as his winger, so we shall see what he can do with some proper icetime and good players in Frolik and Bennett tonight.

I have the feeling they will look good.

[N-E-B]

I think he's a tad overrated here. Sure he's a decent third line centre, but that's about it.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I think he's a tad overrated here. Sure he's a decent third line centre, but that's about it.

I'm a Backlund supporter generally. But I think some people view him more highly than I based on advanced stats.

[heep223]

He's always started slow/injured. I think his inconsistency through the years has mostly been due to injury. Doubt that will change.

[IgiTang]

He has shown flashes of brilliance, soft hands and grit. He isn't being over-rated, hence the thread.. It's a question of when/if is he gonna put it all together.

[thymebalm]

Thread Closed.