Who is the better prospect? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Papi34 · 10-03-2009, 10:54 AM

Hope this isnt a Schremp, interested to see CP's view on this

Simple question

Backlund or Hodgson?

Sylvanfan · 10-03-2009, 11:01 AM

Hodgson by a fair margin. Not really a fair comparison since one is a top 10 pick and the other was in the mid 20's. If not for an injury Hodgson probably would have garnered a 9 game trial, but he got too far behind the other players.

Let's not kid ourselves, if Backlund was such a great prospect he'd have made the Flames by now. Pretty much every other team in the NHL has 1 or 2 players from the 2005 or later drafts in their lineup. Flames have zero, it is going to come back and bite them in the future.

Papi34 · 10-03-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Hodgson by a fair margin. Not really a fair comparison since one is a top 10 pick and the other was in the mid 20's. If not for an injury Hodgson probably would have garnered a 9 game trial, but he got too far behind the other players.

Let's not kid ourselves, if Backlund was such a great prospect he'd have made the Flames by now. Pretty much every other team in the NHL has 1 or 2 players from the 2005 or later drafts in their lineup. Flames have zero, it is going to come back and bite them in the future.

One can also argue that they are bringing backlund along slowly to aid in his development.

Although i do agree that Hodgson is the better prospect I think its close. They play similar two way games Hodgson maybe a bit better defensivley however i'd argue that Backlund has more natural skill.

If backlund hadnt suffered the injury in the year of his draft im guessing he would have went top 15

Azure · 10-03-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

If not for an injury Hodgson probably would have garnered a 9 game trial, but he got too far behind the other players.

According to AV, that isn't true.

Although his injury may have kept him from training properly, it doesn't excuse Hodgson from not putting in the effort required for AV to even consider him as mainstay with the Canucks.

Oil Stain · 10-03-2009, 11:23 AM

I think Backlund's two way game is pretty overrated.

Whenever I watched him he's looked like more of a drifter. Doesn't really get dirty in the corners and on the boards. Tends to leak out of the D zone waiting for the stretch pass.

In the first exhibition game against the Islanders for example he had/almost had some decent chances by playing way down ice. He had that one on one vs De Haan, and that two on one with Jokinen.

Anyway. I think Hodgson is the better prospect.

Reggie Dunlop · 10-03-2009, 12:58 PM

Backlund, hands down.

thesmugger · 10-03-2009, 01:52 PM

Hodgson, by a mile.

tkflames · 10-03-2009, 02:05 PM

I love how we try to judge players having seen them in little to no NHL action. I remember days when Saprykin was compared to a player in the mold of Fedorov. Sadly for the Flames, he was unable to reach that level. I said this in the Warrener thread, when it comes to drafting 18 year olds (many of whom have not even developed into their full body size yet), attitude and determination is far more important than scoring history etc. Yes you require some natural talent, but I think we can both agree that both have this.

Who has greater market value at the moment? I would argue Hodgson-largely because he has been better scouted, having played in North America

Who has the brighter future? Hard to say: Hodgson could be the next Joe Sakic or the next Jamie Lundmark, Backlund could be the next Zetterberg/Berglund or well I can't think of any bad swedes at the moment, but you get my point.

mikey_the_redneck · 10-03-2009, 02:53 PM

Hodgson doesn't seem like all that great of a skater. This might hold him back from being a high impact player.

Loob/Backlund · 10-03-2009, 03:24 PM

Hodgson is a better prospect than Backlund. But I'm a Backlund fan, there has been a huge amount of pressure put on this kid. I've watched all his world jr games and last years whl playoff games. I see him improving every game and a season in Abbotsford is going to do wonders for his development. Backlund will get to play some games in Calgary this year, but really lookout for him next year! He's a softer player but what an offensive talent!

868904 · 10-03-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Hodgson by a fair margin. Not really a fair comparison since one is a top 10 pick and the other was in the mid 20's. If not for an injury Hodgson probably would have garnered a 9 game trial, but he got too far behind the other players.

Let's not kid ourselves, if Backlund was such a great prospect he'd have made the Flames by now. Pretty much every other team in the NHL has 1 or 2 players from the 2005 or later drafts in their lineup. Flames have zero, it is going to come back and bite them in the future.

Are you kidding? That's a very Hockey Future perspective of things.

D Sutter is building this team like the Detriot Red Wings, which means success throughout without rebuilding years.

He's not building it like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals where by they tank every few years to get top 3 picks.

Of course the Flames don't have the top 10 picks to get the 18 or 19 years olds who step in, but that doesn't mean that they aren't doing their job drafting and developing good nhl players.

Boyd, Prust, Nystrom, Pardy, Phaneuf, Moss, McIhanney are ALL NHLer's and with the exception of McIhanney right now, are all GOOD NHLer's.

Guys in the pipeline who have a realistic shot of being NHLer's include: Backlund, Negrin, Pelech, Nemiecz, Erixon, Brodie, etc.

It may take a few years for the Flames prospects to get to the NHL, but that doesn't mean they aren't good players. All it means is that the Flames have the depth to not rush these players and ruin their development.

Just out of curiousity, do the Red Wings have any guys on their roster who were drafted after 2005? ONE, Justin Abdelkader, and he's not even guaranteed to stick for the whole year.

Canada 02 · 10-03-2009, 08:21 PM

Hodgson will be right up there with other Canuck greats like Jason Herter, Josh Holden, Nathan Smith, Alex Stojanov, Shawn Antoski

Vulcan · 10-03-2009, 11:40 PM

Backlund raised questions with me when he wanted out of Sweden. Showed a little immaturity and his results weren't there. He's since seems to be back on track and we'll see how he does in Abbotsford. While watching him in the World Juniors, he seems to be a take charge guy and when he gets the confidence to do this in the NHL, we'll have a fine player, maybe a star.

Hodgson seemed to be on the right track for an elite prospect but now he's injured or thinks he is and we'll see how he handles being cut after being considered a shoe in.

They're both young and have faced some trials, we'll see how they both react. I'd say Hodgson is maybe the better hockey prospect, as he seems to be at about the same stage but is a year younger, but we'll see who has the better character.

looooob · 10-08-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 868904

Just out of curiousity, do the Red Wings have any guys on their roster who were drafted after 2005? ONE, Justin Abdelkader, and he's not even guaranteed to stick for the whole year.

interesting that apparently he's lost his job to Brad May

T@T · 10-12-2009, 06:00 PM

Ryan Howse will trump both of them in a couple of years