I've been thoroughly impressed with his creativity, vision and playmaking ability. His moves and shot are top notch however it's too bad he doesn't have the dynamic skating ability of MSP. He's speed is deceptively quick, but he's just doesn't have that dominating force Berglund and MSP have showed.
But I still think he has a bright future for the Flames. If he get to about 205 and get a quicker first step, he's a shoe in for the Flames' top 6 next season.
Different players IMO. EVen compare Zetterberg to Berglund. Z will never have that powerforward style game that Berglund does. Npt sure why people keep comparing Swedish p-layers to each pther as they all have different types of games. It is like saying well Iginla and Crosby are both Canadian but Crosby is way better because of this and that even though Iginla is a powerforward type player and Crosby is not.
Different players IMO. EVen compare Zetterberg to Berglund. Z will never have that powerforward style game that Berglund does. Npt sure why people keep comparing Swedish p-layers to each pther as they all have different types of games. It is like saying well Iginla and Crosby are both Canadian but Crosby is way better because of this and that even though Iginla is a powerforward type player and Crosby is not.
But all along we've been criticizing his production, not his style of play. He hasn't produced up to expectations for someone of his talent, that's the bottom line.
But all along we've been criticizing his production, not his style of play. He hasn't produced up to expectations for someone of his talent, that's the bottom line.
SO he produces with other top young talent in world junior tournaments but than doesnt prodcue as well when he goes home and gets third line minutes.
Even third line minutes isn't the entire issue, they keep shifting the lines around like they are rearranging the deck furniture on the Titanic. Never given an opportunity to develop chemistry.
He will be better when he is being used properly. I am sure he has a negative attitude about his team too.
Backlund had much ice time in Västerås, both last season and this season, but they can't give him plenty of ice time forever if he does't show anything. I don't know what you north americans think, but Västerås need good results so they must play with their best players. They have 2 highly skilled players (Arlbrandt, Olausson) who simply are much better than Backlund at the moment. Backlund is usually average, but he gets good in play off games. You need to play the entire season, you can't skate around and don't do a **** during the games before play off and then expect the club to be happy with you. Look at Patrik Berglund, he was always good in Västerås - he had much icetime because he ****ing earned it.
Read on the blog of Kelowna Rockets play by play guy Regan Bartel that Bruce Hamilton (Rockets prez/GM) is heading over to Ottawa to get some insight into the status of Mikael Backlund. Hamilton says talks are "moving along" and its up the Calgary Flames and Backlund's agent J.P Barry on where he plays after the world juniors.
Backlund will be joining Kelowna after the WJC. It's my understanding it's been agreed to and will happen, although my experience with international transfers is that it's not truly done until you see the player in the lineup...that said, Backlund is expected to finish this season the Dub.
Backlund will be joining Kelowna after the WJC. It's my understanding it's been agreed to and will happen, although my experience with international transfers is that it's not truly done until you see the player in the lineup...that said, Backlund is expected to finish this season the Dub.
Wow, really? Someone posted a Swedish news article saying that his team was not going to allow him to head to Kelowna and instead stay with Vasteras where he will play on the top powerplay unit and get the ice time he needs to flourish.
Hopefully you're right Bob since you have the inside scoop, because it seriously sounds like he needs a change of scenery. His skillset seems too good to waste away where he isn't going to thrive. I mean he has outplayed Oscar Moller in the tournament thus far IMO and Moller is an NHLer doing some good things for the Kings. I hope Backlund's game carries over to the Flames next season and hopefully he'll be good enough to land a top-6 role since it's unlikely Cammalleri and Bertuzzi will be coming back.
Wow, really? Someone posted a Swedish news article saying that his team was not going to allow him to head to Kelowna and instead stay with Vasteras where he will play on the top powerplay unit and get the ice time he needs to flourish.
Hopefully you're right Bob since you have the inside scoop, because it seriously sounds like he needs a change of scenery. His skillset seems too good to waste away where he isn't going to thrive. I mean he has outplayed Oscar Moller in the tournament thus far IMO and Moller is an NHLer doing some good things for the Kings. I hope Backlund's game carries over to the Flames next season and hopefully he'll be good enough to land a top-6 role since it's unlikely Cammalleri and Bertuzzi will be coming back.
thats a pretty bold statement. and not just because i put it in bold letters!
thats a pretty bold statement. and not just because i put it in bold letters!
Cammalleri will be seeking a big payday in the UFA market and since Cammalleri isn't exactly a Keenan/Sutter type player, I don't see them giving him a big extension. Bertuzzi I would say re-signing is more viable, but his performance so far has been a resurgence and he will definitely receive a lot better offers than another $1.95m deal. It's doubtful Darryl will outbid someone else for Bertuzzi's services.
but Västerås need good results so they must play with their best players.
And that is why Backlund is not getting ice time. He needs to be better than the established players on his club team. WHy do Swedes have a hard time with this concept? Sometimes players need more playing time to play better. Sometimes they are put in situations where they cant succeed. Why do you think some players perform better after a coaching change?
And that is why Backlund is not getting ice time. He needs to be better than the established players on his club team. WHy do Swedes have a hard time with this concept? Sometimes players need more playing time to play better. Sometimes they are put in situations where they cant succeed. Why do you think some players perform better after a coaching change?
Clearly, he needs to leave that club team ASAP.
The thing is, Västerås had plenty of patience with Backlund, it's just lately he hasn't had so much ice time. He didn't do anything to deserve it, so I think it's the right thing to do by Västerås, as they need good results.
Backlund admits he's much better for Sweden U20 than Västerås, and you should remember that the style of hockey is totally different in WJC and SEL-2. I don't exactly know why he's rarely good for Västerås, but sometimes it doesn't work out for a player in a specific team, no matter how good the player is. Can be tactics, chemistry, you name it...
And of course, he should leave Västerås. I think they are doing the right thing by not giving him more ice time, but meanwhile I think Västerås is not the ideal place to be at for Backlund. He could probably develop better elsewhere, if that's in SEL or in NA, I don't know, but just about anything would be an improvement from his current club situation.
It would probably be a good solution for both him and the club if he leaves Västerås.
I think he would get ice time in many SEL clubs. Not the best SEL clubs, but in many. He would probably be the best center in my local SEL team which is Brynäs. Former Canada WJC player Steve Dixon is our best center at the moment, and meanwhile he's a good player, he's not really the most offensively skilled player and it's no coincidence only one team score less goal than us in SEL.
And that is why Backlund is not getting ice time. He needs to be better than the established players on his club team. WHy do Swedes have a hard time with this concept?
To answer that question overall, but perhaps not in Backlund's specific case, it's ALWAYS much easier to give prospects ice time in a closed league as you risk so much less then. It's more difficult to think in the long term when you really must do well in the short term. Some clubs will stop existing if they get relegated as their economy will get so much worse then.
To answer that question overall, but perhaps not in Backlund's specific case, it's ALWAYS much easier to give prospects ice time in a closed league as you risk so much less then. It's more difficult to think in the long term when you really must do well in the short term. Some clubs will stop existing if they get relegated as their economy will get so much worse then.
Perfectly understandable from their point of view. From Backlund's point of view, his development may stall due to this factor. Hence, he should leave and think about his own future.
Perfectly understandable from their point of view. From Backlund's point of view, his development may stall due to this factor. Hence, he should leave and think about his own future.
Indeed, but I don't think the relegation threat is the reason why he's not getting so much ice time in Västerås. However, there are many circumstances around Backlund and Västerås in general, which make me come to the conclusion that he should change club. I also know for sure that many SEL clubs would welcome him with open arms - and of course - obviously Calgary could help him to find a team in NA as well, if that's what he wants...
Backlund will be joining Kelowna after the WJC. It's my understanding it's been agreed to and will happen, although my experience with international transfers is that it's not truly done until you see the player in the lineup...that said, Backlund is expected to finish this season the Dub.
Very interesting. Thanks for the scoop Bob. Really hope it is true.
Backlund will be joining Kelowna after the WJC. It's my understanding it's been agreed to and will happen, although my experience with international transfers is that it's not truly done until you see the player in the lineup...that said, Backlund is expected to finish this season the Dub.
Where did you hear this? I would actually be quite happy if that was the case.. He needs a change of scenery
Backlund will be joining Kelowna after the WJC. It's my understanding it's been agreed to and will happen, although my experience with international transfers is that it's not truly done until you see the player in the lineup...that said, Backlund is expected to finish this season the Dub.
Bob thanks for the update. I would love to see Backlund in the WHL that way I could see more of him.
Backlund will be joining Kelowna after the WJC. It's my understanding it's been agreed to and will happen, although my experience with international transfers is that it's not truly done until you see the player in the lineup...that said, Backlund is expected to finish this season the Dub.
Thanks for the scoop Bob. The Giants might have some competition if this is happens.
