[Signing] Flames sign James Neal (5 years, 5.75 AAV)

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by New Era

Except he hasn't. He was projected to, but didn't get there. Suspensions and injuries happen, so until he breaks a ceiling, he isn't there yet.



Sure, maybe he scores 30 goals and maybe gets 30 assists. Fantastic. What if you are leaving another 10-15 goals and another 30 assists on the table because he has more to his game than Backlund can tap into? Play him with a guy that can meet Tkachuk's offensive level and reap the rewards.

Okay, if I read all your posts correctly:

- you think Tkachuk tops out as a 50 point player if he remains with Backlund (even though he was on pace for 60 last season)

- then you think maybe he can be a 30-30-60 with Backlund (even though that's the pace he was on last season, the 2nd NHL season of his career, playing with Backlund...)

- now you think that playing with Backlund is taking away 10-15 goals and 30 assists from Tkachuk, which would make Tkachuk a 45-60-105 player?

People, I think we officially have the best player in the NHL.

Now all we have to do is take Frolik away from Backlund and he'll turn into a two-way point per game player as well.

We're set.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

The lines I’d like to see are

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Bennett - Jankowski - Frolik
Foo - Ryan - Czarnik
Brouwer

Neal and Lindholm are interchangeable.

If Bennett could get back to playing center, imagine

Tkachuk - Bennett - Neal
Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Backlund - Ryan - Frolik (defensive line with 2 C in case one is waived)
Foo - Jankowski - Czarnik
Brouwer

Line 1 would drive other top lines into frustration night in and out, be able to play defensive but also put the puck in the net depending on how Peters wanted to match up.
Line 2 is heavy scoring
Line 3 is heavy on the defensive side but isn't shy to putting the puck in the net
Line 4 is your hustle / typical 4th line in the modern NHL

[Robbob]

I was thinking about possible roster setups and you could pretty much have 2 centers on the three most used lines:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Ryan
Bennett - Jankowski - Neal

The Backlund line would do a lot of heavy lifting on matchups
Neal on the third balances the offence a bit more and they would likely have some better match ups.

The 4th line would be pretty dependable with a combination with the remaining pieces.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by New Era

I think he can do way better than that playing with a center with better offensive instincts and ability to make better passes. This is the year that Tkachuk should really take off, and I don't see it happening with Backlund as his center. Backlund just doesn't have the offensive instincts to take Tkachuk to the next level.

You forget that Backlund took a scrub like Bouma to career numbers.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

You forget that Backlund took a scrub like Bouma to career numbers.

Yeah, Backlund doesnt get nearly enough credit.

On a crappy team playing 1st line minutes with no other responsibilities he could probably put up some impressive numbers, the fact that he can be a really good 2-way centre, excellent at draws and PKs and still put up offensive numbers says a lot about him.

Earlier in his career he had a lot of injury issues, but right now he is playing really well.

The real issue is that we need guys that can help him do some of the heavy lifting.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

Okay, if I read all your posts correctly:

- you think Tkachuk tops out as a 50 point player if he remains with Backlund (even though he was on pace for 60 last season)

- then you think maybe he can be a 30-30-60 with Backlund (even though that's the pace he was on last season, the 2nd NHL season of his career, playing with Backlund...)

- now you think that playing with Backlund is taking away 10-15 goals and 30 assists from Tkachuk, which would make Tkachuk a 45-60-105 player?

People, I think we officially have the best player in the NHL.

Now all we have to do is take Frolik away from Backlund and he'll turn into a two-way point per game player as well.

We're set.

No, you didn't read them correctly. Maybe I should have put in a spreadsheet for you, since you only see to be able to understand hockey when viewed with a spreadsheet in front of you.

I'm suggesting that Tkachuck has potential to be a lot better, with a better center. Maybe he turns into a goal scorer with someone that can dish the puck better? Maybe he turns into a better setup man, like he was in junior, if he plays with someone who is a better finisher? So far he's proven to be a 50ish point guy, but obviously has shown potential to be way better. I say give him a center with some creativity and see what happens. Backlund isn't that guy, doesn't play that style, and is holding him back IMO. I think with a center that shows some creativity and can set up Tkachuk, he could easily become the best goal scorer on the hockey team. I think he could turn into more of the player we saw in junior if he plays with the right center.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

You forget that Backlund took a scrub like Bouma to career numbers.

Your memory is a little foggy. Check the box scores. Backlund and Bouma were on the ice together for only 8 of Bouma's 34 points that season. Bouma got more help from Granlund and Jones than he did from Backlund.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Originally Posted by New Era

Your memory is a little foggy. Check the box scores. Backlund and Bouma were on the ice together for only 8 of Bouma's 34 points that season. Bouma got more help from Granlund and Jones than he did from Backlund.

Looks like what we really need to do is bring back David Jones to elevate Tkachuk!

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

Looks like what we really need to do is bring back David Jones to elevate Tkachuk!

Nawww, Backlund can do it just the same way he did it for Bouma. From a completely different line.

[prizefighterinferno]

Originally Posted by New Era

Your memory is a little foggy. Check the box scores. Backlund and Bouma were on the ice together for only 8 of Bouma's 34 points that season. Bouma got more help from Granlund and Jones than he did from Backlund.

According to the article you presumably misappropriated that number (8) from, Backlund was on the ice for eight of Bouma's fifteen 5 on 5 goals.


https://flamesnation.ca/2016/04/27/t...kael-backlund/

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by prizefighterinferno

According to the article you presumably misappropriated that number (8) from, Backlund was on the ice for eight of Bouma's fifteen 5 on 5 goals.


https://flamesnation.ca/2016/04/27/t...kael-backlund/

Those numbers must have been in a spreadsheet.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I can't speak for everyone here, but I will say this.


I also want to see Tkachuk moved to a different line with a different center so that his production will improve.



However, this is 100% on the fact that with Backlund as his center, Tkachuk will be starting against stiffer competition and starting in the defensive zone way more often - both of these things make it more difficult to create offence.


I would absolutely love to see Backlund being set loose with some offensive zone starts against easier competition. I think you would see a massive increase in his point production. On the Flames, there simply isn't another center who even comes close to being that good defensively.



I am a firm believer that Backlund can put up quite a lot more points if given the favorable circumstances. I think that Monahan's line gets to feast at times because Backlund is doing a lot of the heavy lifting and allowing them to be put into situations that are easier to succeed in. Not taking a single thing away from Monahan - I think his defensive game is greatly underrated, and his ability to create offence is massively under-appreciated (you know, with all the talk that he is merely a product of Gaudreau).



Backlund has made Bouma a tonne of cash. Backlund has made Colborne a tonne of cash. Tkachuk got eased into the NHL alongside a vet who showed him how to play both sides of the puck and who generated offence for him. Tkachuk is a really good player, but I do think that under the less than favorable circumstances that the entire line plays under, I would argue that Tkachuk's production has been better than expected in part thanks to Backlund.

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by New Era

Your memory is a little foggy. Check the box scores. Backlund and Bouma were on the ice together for only 8 of Bouma's 34 points that season. Bouma got more help from Granlund and Jones than he did from Backlund.

You should re-check your numbers.

A spreadsheet might help

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by prizefighterinferno

According to the article you presumably misappropriated that number (8) from, Backlund was on the ice for eight of Bouma's fifteen 5 on 5 goals.


https://flamesnation.ca/2016/04/27/t...kael-backlund/

Didn't misappropriate anything as I didn't even look at that article. I went by the actual game sheets from the 2014-15 season. I didn't go by whether he was on the ice, but who got the primary and secondary assists. You know, the people involved in the point generating event. Again, Backlund generated points on only eight of Bouma's 34 points that season.

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by New Era

Didn't misappropriate anything as I didn't even look at that article. I went by the actual game sheets from the 2014-15 season. I didn't go by whether he was on the ice, but who got the primary and secondary assists. You know, the people involved in the point generating event. Again, Backlund generated points on only eight of Bouma's 34 points that season.

Now you're changing your argument. You said Backlund and Bouma were on the ice together for only 8 goals, not that Backlund and Bouma were only in on 8 goals together.

And even then, you're still wrong, as Backlund actually generated points on 10 of Bouma's 34 points

#checkthespreadsheets

[Lanny_McDonald]

Go check the game summaries from the NHL.

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by New Era

Go check the game summaries from the NHL.

Or... you can just check his scoring logs

https://www.hockey-reference.com/pla...1/scoring/2015

[tvp2003]

Gaudreau hoping to play with Neal on the top line? He retweeted a link to this article: https://www.nhl.com/news/report-gaud...es/c-299611112

Also mentions that he’s looking forward to playing under Peters; thinks it will be a good fit.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Gaudreau hoping to play with Neal on the top line? He retweeted a link to this article: https://www.nhl.com/news/report-gaud...es/c-299611112

Also mentions that he’s looking forward to playing under Peters; thinks it will be a good fit.

Here's the full interview from Philly: https://www.courierpostonline.com/st...mes/844962002/

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Gaudreau hoping to play with Neal on the top line? He retweeted a link to this article: https://www.nhl.com/news/report-gaud...es/c-299611112

Also mentions that he’s looking forward to playing under Peters; thinks it will be a good fit.

That's interesting because in a recent interview, Peters reiterated his desire to have Lindholm on the that line. Hopefully doesn't cause some conflict.

Either way, I think you gotta give a few combos a try and see what works best, including Neal on top line.