Is it time to trade Mikael Backlund?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Going by Amazing's post, anyone is a bust if they don't score lots. Oilers are looking like a dynasty with all their kids lighting the lamp regularly!

[Stay Golden]

It was really discouraging as a fan at the dome to see Backlund being wasted playing on a line with Jackman and MacGrattan.

[Corral]

ultimately you must have 3rd and 4th line players. thats what Backlund is. No sense trading him if he suits the role.

As an aside, any player who gets assigned to the AHL early in their career is very unlikely to be a top line NHL player. That's backlund, baerstchi, horak ......... .

[Poe969]

I would see what the leafs would give for him. They're in trouble and need some help at center. I wouldn't give him away as I'd ask a LOT for him but I think they're in a position to give up a lot for him.

For the right price, I'd trade anyone.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I would see what the leafs would give for him. They're in trouble and need some help at center. I wouldn't give him away as I'd ask a LOT for him but I think they're in a position to give up a lot for him.

For the right price, I'd trade anyone.

The Leafs don't really have a spot for him when their guys get healthy and JVR seems like a fine short term replacement while Bozak gets healthy so doubt they give up more than a mid round pick/b level prospect.

[t0rrent98]

I like backlund... I think Hartley should try him on wing and see how that works out for him.

[Falclore]

Originally Posted by Corral

ultimately you must have 3rd and 4th line players. thats what Backlund is. No sense trading him if he suits the role.

As an aside, any player who gets assigned to the AHL early in their career is very unlikely to be a top line NHL player. That's backlund, baerstchi, horak ......... .

Like St. Louis? Kadri? Every player on the Wings?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Corral

As an aside, any player who gets assigned to the AHL early in their career is very unlikely to be a top line NHL player. That's backlund, baerstchi, horak ......... .

You know that's total BS, right?

[jessnuts]

Lol yaaa thought that ahl comment was silly, so I looked up an article to help me investigate, was pleased with results. Opening paragraphs of the first article I clicked on:

"The American Hockey League (AHL) is the top hockey league in the United States behind the NHL. It exists to prepare players for entry into the NHL, and over the years, many AHL alumni have gone on to successful NHL careers.

In fact, on opening night of the 2011-12 NHL season, over 600 former AHL players were on big-league rosters. These players accounted for around 83 percent of the league's players."

Don't mistake the fact that its just generally unlikely any player becomes a star for a correlation between that fact and the AHL. Players grow different ways, and a lot of big name stars are nhl ready at 18, but discounting players who aren't and assuming they'll never have the same type of impact is foolish. Concensous around here seems to be that some of edmontons "talent" could have used some professional seasoning before playing consistent nhl hockey. They must have heard if a player gets sent to the ahl in his first season(s) he loses the ability to become a star.

I know how people feel about bleacher report's stupid page by page organization, but here's the link

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles...-hockey-league

[driveway]

Re: Guys who play in the AHL never make it big. Here is the list of forwards currently in the top 30 for scoring who played in the AHL early in their career, and how many games they played in the 'A'.

Joe Pavelski - 16 games 2006-2007
Frans Nielsen - 54 games 2006-2007, 48 games 2007-2008
Bobby Ryan - 8 games 2006-2007, 48 games 2007-2008, 14 games 2008-2009
Martin St. Louis - 25 games 1997-98, 53 games 1998-99, 27 games 1999-00
Logan Couture - 4 games 2008-09, 42 games 2009-10
David Backes - 12 games 2005-06, 31 games 2006-07
Patrick Sharp - 53 games 2002-03, 35 games 2003-04, 75 games 2004-05
Kyle Okposo - 35 games 2007-08
Jiri Hudler - 57 games 2003-04, 52 games 2004-05, 76 games 2005-06
Bryan Little - 34 games 2007-08
Phil Kessel - 2 games 2006-07

By comparison Backlund played 54 games in the 'A' in 2009-10 and 1 in 2010-11; Baertschi played 32 games in 2012-13.

There is nothing about playing in the AHL that is indicative of a player who will not be able to contribute on the top line in the NHL.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think it is safe to say that the only group of players totally excluded from playing in the AHL are generational talents - Gretzky, Lemieux, etc.

Darn it.. I was so hoping Backlund would eventually surpass Gretzky. I was counting on it. Corral really opened my eyes there.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think it is safe to say that the only group of players totally excluded from playing in the AHL are generational talents - Gretzky, Lemieux, etc.

Not necessarily true. There are a great many very very good players who never play a minute in the AHL without ever being a "generational" talent. Guys such as Steen, Perry, Getzlaf, Seguin, Benn, the Sedins, Thornton, Marleau, Parise, not to mention Iginla all have never played a minute of AHL hockey and none of them are anywhere close to the Gretzky/Lemieux conversation.

Now, clearly, never playing in the AHL is a strong indicator of being a top-level NHL'er, but it's a stretch to say that it's only the generational guys who have careers like that.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by driveway

Not necessarily true. There are a great many very very good players who never play a minute in the AHL without ever being a "generational" talent. Guys such as Steen, Perry, Getzlaf, Seguin, Benn, the Sedins, Thornton, Marleau, Parise, not to mention Iginla all have never played a minute of AHL hockey and none of them are anywhere close to the Gretzky/Lemieux conversation.

Now, clearly, never playing in the AHL is a strong indicator of being a top-level NHL'er, but it's a stretch to say that it's only the generational guys who have careers like that.

Sure, guys that are too good for the AHL from day one are likely to be good NHLers. This says nothing, however, about the the potential of those that do start in the AHL.

[bubbsy]

it's been disappointing that backlund isn't able to get much done offensively, regardless of how skilled his linemates are (ie. even when he's not playing with the 4th line guys).

i think this season was again a big test to see if backlund is an NHL top 6 center or 3rd line checking center. I think the answer is becoming clearer each game that it seems to be the latter.

Based on that conclusion drawing, do the flames have interest in re-signing him after this year? Curious if we have other guys in the system suited/better-suited for that role (knight, reinhart, etc)... that will essentially be the decision i think management will have to make this year.

It would be sad to see him go, he's been one of the first forward draft picks post-lockout that was able to make the jump to the nhl and be excited about. That said, curious if he could be used to improve the organizational depth on D/RW come deadline.

[Rerun]

Time to get rid of Backlund. Pitiful... just pitiful.

[greentree]

If Backlund doesn't improve (he was downright awful last night vs Jets) then package him up in a deal later in the year, perhaps. No point dumping him for nothing right now.
I hope we re-sign Cammellari, but I fear he might go at the deadline. If so I'd try to deal him out with Backs for defenseman prospect and high pick.

[MrMastodonFarm]

He was downright awful, on one shift, one brutal very bad shift mind you. Hartley is hard on the young guys, that's his style apparently because I don't see vets like Glencross, Jones, Galliardi etc benched after similar bad shifts leading to a goal.

[EverfresH15]

Originally Posted by driveway

Not necessarily true. There are a great many very very good players who never play a minute in the AHL without ever being a "generational" talent. Guys such as Steen, Perry, Getzlaf, Seguin, Benn, the Sedins, Thornton, Marleau, Parise, not to mention Iginla all have never played a minute of AHL hockey and none of them are anywhere close to the Gretzky/Lemieux conversation.

Now, clearly, never playing in the AHL is a strong indicator of being a top-level NHL'er, but it's a stretch to say that it's only the generational guys who have careers like that.

Maybe i read your paragraph wrong but all the bolded guys have played in the AHL.

I dont want to give up on Backlund yet but getting pretty close. I think we should try him on the wing and take away some of his defensive responsibilities and hopefully that will get the offense going.

[googol]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

He was downright awful, on one shift, one brutal very bad shift mind you. Hartley is hard on the young guys, that's his style apparently because I don't see vets like Glencross, Jones, Galliardi etc benched after similar bad shifts leading to a goal.

You know... Galliardi is less than a year older than Backlund.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by googol

You know... Galliardi is less than a year older than Backlund.

Yeah true but Galliardi is an established NHL player so my point stands. This time next year at 25 a 24 year old guy can make that transition from young player trying to vet. My point stands, there seems to be a different set of rules there. I've seen Glencross and Jones all make horrible mistakes leading to goals and haven't seen a third period benching happen yet.

I'm not even saying it's wrong, just pointing out that's his style. I'm fully aware it takes different circumstances to motivate different players.