Can Ryan take on Backlund’s role; is Backlund who we trade?

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

So everyone is in solid agreement that Backlund is currently and has ever been better than Brodie?

I think they play different positions. Both of their names do start with B though.

[Harry Lime]

Watching the Flames play last year, there was one thing that jumped out almost every game, and that was that Tkachuk's offensive ability far outstrips that of Backlund.

Backlund is Selke calibre defence, and average offense. That is extremely valuable, but I'm sure that there has been discussion about slotting, and how to take advantage of Tkachuk. Ideally, like it has been for the last couple of years, Backlund slots perfectly as the best third line centre in the league.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Watching the Flames play last year, there was one thing that jumped out almost every game, and that was that Tkachuk's offensive ability far outstrips that of Backlund.

Backlund is Selke calibre defence, and average offense. That is extremely valuable, but I'm sure that there has been discussion about slotting, and how to take advantage of Tkachuk. Ideally, like it has been for the last couple of years, Backlund slots perfectly as the best third line centre in the league.

I feel like this has been covered, but Backlund’s offensive ability is not in question. His offensive ability matches that of a high-level second-line center.

You’re not going to get much better offensively than Backlund for the second line. I do not think Tkachuk suffers at all from playing with Backlund, especially when you consider that offensive opportunities are also generated by defensive play.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I feel like this has been covered, but Backlund’s offensive ability is not in question. His offensive ability matches that of a high-level second-line center.

You’re not going to get much better offensively than Backlund for the second line. I do not think Tkachuk suffers at all from playing with Backlund, especially when you consider that offensive opportunities are also generated by defensive play.

Well, I guess I'm questioning it. When you get away from the stats, and watch the games, Tkachuk sets up a lot of high quality scoring chances, and Backlund pots about half of them. I think that Backlund is firing at his absolute best offensive production, which is great.

I also think that Monahan's numbers would be about the same with Tkachuk that they would be with Johnny, and that would free up Johnny to elevate the game of a centreman like Lindholm.

Just my perspective, but reading a couple of the last posts, it was pumping the tires on Backlund's offensive production, which I think has been a determent on the ability of Tkachuk.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Watching the Flames play last year, there was one thing that jumped out almost every game, and that was that Tkachuk's offensive ability far outstrips that of Backlund.

Backlund is Selke calibre defence, and average offense. That is extremely valuable, but I'm sure that there has been discussion about slotting, and how to take advantage of Tkachuk. Ideally, like it has been for the last couple of years, Backlund slots perfectly as the best third line centre in the league.

By Selke calibre defence Do you mean the kind of guy that would make Mackinnon (or Getzlaf) a non-factor in a 7 game series?


When you slot Backlund in as a 3rd line C you do realize that his TOI drops from 18 minutes to 13 minutes and likely his pts drop from 45 to the 30 range?

Would he be as good a 3rd line centre as Ryan was last year?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Well, I guess I'm questioning it. When you get away from the stats, and watch the games, Tkachuk sets up a lot of high quality scoring chances, and Backlund pots about half of them. I think that Backlund is firing at his absolute best offensive production, which is great.

I also think that Monahan's numbers would be about the same with Tkachuk that they would be with Johnny, and that would free up Johnny to elevate the game of a centreman like Lindholm.

Just my perspective, but reading a couple of the last posts, it was pumping the tires on Backlund's offensive production, which I think has been a determent on the ability of Tkachuk.

It’s not really, though.

Tkachuk’s offensive potential is not tempered by Backlund; both will not produce as much as either one is capable of because of their frequent deployment in the defensive zone, and against the toughest competition. And while I would agree that Tkachuk is better offensively than Backlund, it is not by much. Tkachuk outscored Backlund at ES by only 8 points. The biggest difference between them occurred on the powerplay, where Tkachuk plays on the first unit and Backlund does not.

We all know that Tkachuk is a great player, but I think a few posters seem to not realize just how good Backlund is. He is a hell of a lot better than merely a great #3 centre.


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[heep223]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

I also think that Monahan's numbers would be about the same with Tkachuk that they would be with Johnny, and that would free up Johnny to elevate the game of a centreman like Lindholm.

This would be so awesome in principle but Monahan/Tkachuk duo would be too slow. I suppose you could put someone fast with them like Czarnik or Mangiapane, which could be an interesting experiment. Tkachuk would for sure have the ability to find Monahan.

I really just want Lindholm to have the opportunity to center his own line. If we could somehow make the lineup click with Monahan-Lindholm-Backlund-Ryan down the middle, we’d be unstoppable.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

So everyone is in solid agreement that Backlund is currently and has ever been better than Brodie?

As well the best defensive player on the team .. ahead of Hamonic and Gio and when playing Edmonton Brodie?

I totally agree that Backlund can not be replaced by Ryan.

It would be equally absurd to imagine that Andersson can replace Brodie on the top defense pairing.

It is very telling that the Flames #1 priority in the off season was looking for a top 2 Centre to move Backlund back in the line-up and not looking for any top-4 D-men.

You always have to come up with the most bizzare damn thing I will read all day don't you? Like wtf.

[Doctorfever]

Backlund is better than Ryan. By a long shot. So no, no you do not trade Backlund and use Ryan there.
We are not deep enough at centre to trade our only true shut down centre.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You always have to come up with the most bizzare damn thing I will read all day don't you? Like wtf.

MOD EDIT: Not needed.

[united]

Backlund plays the most difficult minutes of any forward on the team and more often than not his line comes out ahead in the battle. The impact allows the first line to be deployed in a more offensive role, especially at home, and the depth lines to face easier minutes as well. Unfortunately the Flames can't go power v power against many teams, and almost all playoff teams, which makes Backlund's ability and role even more crucial

Sure his offensive creativity leaves a bit to be desired, but ultimately all that matters is does he outperform his opposition and the answer is yes he does, and he faces top lines around the league. It's bizarre how offensive defensemen and defensive forwards are still so heavily undervalued in 2019.

I love Ryan, and think he is one of the most impactful penalty killers in the league along with being a perfect third line C, but he simply cannot be expected to cope with the degree of difficulty Backlund faces on a nightly basis.

[Finger Cookin]

So, split up Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm so that Gaudreau can elevate Lindholm. Got it.