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I am an Oiler fan that lived in Calgary for over 10 years . Calgary is my second favorite team . Go figure . The Flames would not touch this . Now keep in mind i only know what i see posted by fans on hf boards , I never watched Colborne play ,but is he not looking more and more like a bust .
Honest question
Again show me a quote I remember it being a conditioning stint, thats great the Horak played over Stajan but under Sutter everyone played over Stajan. Horak was solid but he simply didn't play much when he did play, Backlund was easily more effective last season(before this season when he had a couple injuries derail his season) than Horak was this year. So if Backlund is healthy he is a better option than Horak.
“I don’t think Mikael’s in a great bargaining position,” Feaster said. “I don’t think Mikael’s a guy who’s going to get Group 2 offer sheets. I’m not worried about having to match an offer sheet. I suppose if he wants to play in Europe, that’s his prerogative, and he can do that. Otherwise, this is a player who has yet to establish himself as to what he is in the National Hockey League.”
Quote:
“Mikael knows from numerous conversations he and I had last year there were many times that he whistled right past the graveyard,” Feaster said. “He was ticketed to go to Abbotsford. He didn’t need waivers to go down. There were a couple of times we told him he was going to go down, and whether there was an injury to a forward, a possible suspension of a forward or ultimately an injury to Mikael, he never was sent down.
I don't think management views Backlund as the 'established' third line center some fans see him as.
Alright thanks, I guys you were right he was looking like he would be sent down but again Horak was also sent down so its kinda moot.
Last year was Horak's first pro season, while it was Backlund's third. Horak's level of play and consistent effort floored the organization and coaching staff while Backlund's disappointed.
The whole sending down thing was only to show that Backlund is by no means an established player.
Last year was Horak's first pro season, while it was Backlund's third. Horak's level of play and consistent effort floored the organization and coaching staff while Backlund's disappointed.
The whole sending down thing was only to show that Backlund is by no means an established player.
Like I said before a healthy Backlund is better than a healthy Horak but the difference isn't what it was last year.
Like I said before a healthy Backlund is better than a healthy Horak but the difference isn't what it was last year.
If you're referring to Horak's performance in the AHL this year, I'd agree.
Just looking at his goal tonight (4:40 of this video), you can see Horak's game. Not at all afraid to lay the body and he keeps it simple by going to the net. I can't even tell you how many times I would throw up my arms last year when Backs would take a weak shot from the outside instead of driving to the net. Incredibly frustrating. He's a talented player, but he just doesn't 'get it.' Not yet at least. Whether he can prove himself given his next opportunity remains to be seen.
Last year was Horak's first pro season, while it was Backlund's third. Horak's level of play and consistent effort floored the organization and coaching staff while Backlund's disappointed.
The whole sending down thing was only to show that Backlund is by no means an established player.
Obviously Horak impressed while Backlund disappointed, NOTHING was expected from Horak, not a thing, no one would have batted an eye if he didn't come close to playing in the NHL. For Backlund it was basically, anything other than a breakout would be disappointing, especially after the training camp that he had. And I still don't get where your statements that Horak was better defensively come from? Because people raved about his "effort" and how "coachable" he was? You seem to forget that he was EXTREMELY sheltered. Like I said, I think your jumping the Horak hype train a little early. He's not as good as Backlund, plain and simple, neither are absolute locks to be in the NHL whenever it starts back up, but I would bet Backlund has more of a chance a being there than Horak.
If you're referring to Horak's performance in the AHL this year, I'd agree.
Just looking at his goal tonight (4:40 of this video), you can see Horak's game. Not at all afraid to lay the body and he keeps it simple by going to the net. I can't even tell you how many times I would throw up my arms last year when Backs would take a weak shot from the outside instead of driving to the net. Incredibly frustrating. He's a talented player, but he just doesn't 'get it.' Not yet at least. Whether he can prove himself given his next opportunity remains to be seen.
Yes is he a much more well rounded player this year in the AHL he has gotten some real confidence but he isn't playing center and I doubt he ever becomes a permanent center in the NHL, but his game is really well suited to playing on the wing.
Again the main reason I wouldn't trade Backlund for Colborne is Backland has much more talent than Colborne, Backlund had a bad year last year no doubt but if he too finds confidence like Horak has than he could a real solid 2C center.
Obviously Horak impressed while Backlund disappointed, NOTHING was expected from Horak, not a thing, no one would have batted an eye if he didn't come close to playing in the NHL. For Backlund it was basically, anything other than a breakout would be disappointing, especially after the training camp that he had. And I still don't get where your statements that Horak was better defensively come from? Because people raved about his "effort" and how "coachable" he was? You seem to forget that he was EXTREMELY sheltered. Like I said, I think your jumping the Horak hype train a little early. He's not as good as Backlund, plain and simple, neither are absolute locks to be in the NHL whenever it starts back up, but I would bet Backlund has more of a chance a being there than Horak.
The numbers are interesting but don't really support what most observed from Backlund. The Flames, who have access to the same metrics (if not more detailed) weren't looking to give Backlund the same benefit of the doubt.
The numbers are interesting but don't really support what most observed from Backlund. The Flames, who have access to the same metrics (if not more detailed) weren't looking to give Backlund the same benefit of the doubt.
I think most would disagree that Horak was better defensively, I would agree with tmufin that Backlund had high expectations and failed on them which made people sour on him where as Horak had no expectation and showed he could play in the nhl so people were quiet happy with him.
There is nothing I have seen that has made me believe that Horak is better than Backlund in anyway.
