Thought I was missing something. Silly me, this thread isn't about me! It's about my cousin Micheal Backlund!
Backlund isn't a bust at all. He was projected as a 2nd/3rd line Center. That's precisely what he is right now. The points will come, and his defensive game is already there.
I honestly have some hope that he could become a solid 1B center.
He is young, be patient, he still has it in him to be a very good forward for your organization. A young player or each prospect take their sweet time to develop, each player has their own learning curve. He should help you guys in the future from the games I have seen him play.
He is young, be patient, he still has it in him to be a very good forward for your organization. A young player or each prospect take their sweet time to develop, each player has their own learning curve. He should help you guys in the future from the games I have seen him play.
Injury to his hands which are the best part of his game and then sucker punched out once that was finally stating to come together; last season was a wash and his value in a trade is as low as its ever been.
First "year" in the NHL we saw him put up 10 points in 23 games not special but pretty damn good for a guy who came from Europe after being drafted.
The next year he hit 10 goals 25 points from the 4th line. Received praise from (I'm drawing a blank if this was Holland or a red wings coach who said he would be a guy to watch). And led Jackman to a career year effectively double the goal and point totals he's had in any other year including this last one with Backlund injured.
The sky is still the limit for Mikael he has the skill and he'll continue to learn to put in together over the next few seasons. Probably an above average 2c but at worst a good 2-way guy for the 3rd line.
Injury to his hands which are the best part of his game and then sucker punched out once that was finally stating to come together; last season was a wash and his value in a trade is as low as its ever been.
First "year" in the NHL we saw him put up 10 points in 23 games not special but pretty damn good for a guy who came from Europe after being drafted.
The next year he hit 10 goals 25 points from the 4th line. Received praise from (I'm drawing a blank if this was Holland or a red wings coach who said he would be a guy to watch). And led Jackman to a career year effectively double the goal and point totals he's had in any other year including this last one with Backlund injured.
The sky is still the limit for Mikael he has the skill and he'll continue to learn to put in together over the next few seasons. Probably an above average 2c but at worst a good 2-way guy for the 3rd line.
It was the Red Wings coach. He said something along the lines of... I do not know who that rookie is, but he will be something special.
For those that look up advanced stats, Backlund didn't have a 'disappointing season' at all. He showed a huge improvement, actually. He drove the play against much higher quality of competition.
This guy is defensively sound, and shows flashes of 'brilliance', especially in tight areas with little time or space - something that I think all Flames fans agree is in short supply.
I am looking forward to what Bob will do with Backlund, and what line he will slot into. I doubt very much it will be the 4th. Backlund might end up being a very good 3rd line defensive center for the Flames (and as he gets bigger and stronger, as well as gains more experience, his F/O % will get better too). This, to me, is not a 'bust'.
Backlund DOES possess the skills to become a 1st line center still - he is, however, still developing. Will he ever become a 'franchise' center? Doubtful. I still think he ends up as a quality #2 center that does it all offensively and defensively. 2 years of NHL experience (and arguably a bit rushed - I think he should have spent a year on the Heat as the top line center there) and people are already calling him a 'bust', even though he has been a very decent player and developing nicely?
For those that look up advanced stats, Backlund didn't have a 'disappointing season' at all. He showed a huge improvement, actually. He drove the play against much higher quality of competition.
This guy is defensively sound, and shows flashes of 'brilliance', especially in tight areas with little time or space - something that I think all Flames fans agree is in short supply.
I am looking forward to what Bob will do with Backlund, and what line he will slot into. I doubt very much it will be the 4th. Backlund might end up being a very good 3rd line defensive center for the Flames (and as he gets bigger and stronger, as well as gains more experience, his F/O % will get better too). This, to me, is not a 'bust'.
Backlund DOES possess the skills to become a 1st line center still - he is, however, still developing. Will he ever become a 'franchise' center? Doubtful. I still think he ends up as a quality #2 center that does it all offensively and defensively. 2 years of NHL experience (and arguably a bit rushed - I think he should have spent a year on the Heat as the top line center there) and people are already calling him a 'bust', even though he has been a very decent player and developing nicely?
I agree with most of your statements, but I don't think Backlund was ever considered a #1 center, he was usually considered a good two-way #2 center. Backlund has progressed nicely with his defensive abilities, but I think he hasn't really progressed his offensive game yet. Though, I do think he gets his offensive game from confidence and his confidence is not with him at the moment.
You never know with these things. He was looking pretty grim for a while there, but like everyone has been saying, Sutter seems to have been a big factor in this club's failures
This year? Maybe. I would say closer to 20-25 in a shortened season, followed by a bigger jump next year. I would think he surpasses 30 points with a full 82 game sched next year.
This year? Maybe. I would say closer to 20-25 in a shortened season, followed by a bigger jump next year. I would think he surpasses 30 points with a full 82 game sched next year.
I think he hits 50 next year...20-25 this year sounds about right.
I think he hits 50 next year...20-25 this year sounds about right.
I think it depends on what Cervenka and Tanguay can do at center if both prove to better then Backlund he will be on the 3rd line so 30-35 points seems about right. However I think Cervenka will be a winger in the nhl.
I think it depends on what Cervenka and Tanguay can do at center if both prove to better then Backlund he will be on the 3rd line so 30-35 points seems about right. However I think Cervenka will be a winger in the nhl.
I dunno about that, I mean if Backlund proves he is capable as 1st line Center for this team, Tanguay can move back to wing and Cervenka can play 2nd line C.
I dunno about that, I mean if Backlund proves he is capable as 1st line Center for this team, Tanguay can move back to wing and Cervenka can play 2nd line C.
Imo Tanguay so far has proved to be a better center then Backlund (he doesn't seem out of place the last 2 games) and I am still not sold on Cervenka as a center assume Iggy comes back I could see
Imo Tanguay so far has proved to be a better center then Backlund (he doesn't seem out of place the last 2 games) and I am still not sold on Cervenka as a center assume Iggy comes back I could see
I don't think 50 points in 82 games would be unreasonable given those line mates.
No its not but like I said it depends on Cervenka if he is a top 6 centerman I think we would see
Glencross - Tanguay - Iginla
Hudler - Cervenka - Cammy
Sven - Backlund/Stajan - Backlund/Stajan
Backlund is another guy that looks like a different player this year. I didn't mind Butter, but his system stifled offensive creativity. We are seeing the creativeness come in guys like Backlund and Jbo.
Before last season Backlund and Turris were considered to have very similar upside, I hope Hartley can put him back on that path. Watching him this season, I am once again hopeful that he can one day become a 50-60pt center.
Backlund's issue will be consistency and he needs to bring the same game every day to the rink.
