Even in a season where his on ice shooting percentage is exactly 6% he's still pretty much there. 6% is also incredibly unlucky. It's not likely the Gaudreau line repeats this season, but equally unlikely that Backlund and Coleman have seasons this bad offensively based on the metrics. He's also on pace for 39 points. 1 less than 40.
Value of: Mikael Backlund
- Thread starter Bjornar Moxnes
- Start date
Tkachuk Norris
Registered User
- Jun 22, 2012
- 16,008
- 7,409
Ledge And Dairy
Registered User
Larry Hanson
Registered User
- Aug 1, 2020
- 1,935
- 3,452
Nah, it's highly likely that Kadri will have a brutal contract starting next season.
Backlund's ES production is consistent with his usual pace (currently at 31 ES points in 74 games). By comparison, he has the same ES production as Bergeron and Granlund.
The difference from his usual 40-55 pt production is due to the PP. Sutter relies heavily on the first PP unit, which is on the ice 80-90% of the time. The last season that Backlund had less ATOI on the PP was 2012-13. The Flames' second unit is also pretty weak, as it usually consists of Backlund, one of Mangiapane/Toffoli (whoever isn't playing on the first unit that night), and one of Hanifin/Kylington.
It shouldn't be any surprise that his production is lower than usual this season, given that he has limited offensive opportunities while continuing to face the hardest defensive match-ups.
There is no reason for the Flames to trade Backlund. Whoever takes his place (i.e. Dube, Ruzicka, Monahan, Carpenter) is a clear downgrade and will be badly exposed
The difference from his usual 40-55 pt production is due to the PP. Sutter relies heavily on the first PP unit, which is on the ice 80-90% of the time. The last season that Backlund had less ATOI on the PP was 2012-13. The Flames' second unit is also pretty weak, as it usually consists of Backlund, one of Mangiapane/Toffoli (whoever isn't playing on the first unit that night), and one of Hanifin/Kylington.
It shouldn't be any surprise that his production is lower than usual this season, given that he has limited offensive opportunities while continuing to face the hardest defensive match-ups.
There is no reason for the Flames to trade Backlund. Whoever takes his place (i.e. Dube, Ruzicka, Monahan, Carpenter) is a clear downgrade and will be badly exposed
muddywaters
GO FLAMES GO
Yes if you drive like Peter Maher's grandmother.They're over 3 hrs away but still too close....
3 hr 2 min (299.5 km) via AB-2 N
Nanuuk
Registered User
Oh I'm not suggesting that they will. I'm just saying that the cupboard isn't necessarily bare if the Flames re-sign the two to a cheap contract.
Flames could/should(?) move Ruzicka up to 2 or 3C (assuming he earns it) and still have solid depth if Monahan can't make a return.
HarrySPlinkett
Not a film critic
Backlund’s point totals since 2015-16:
47
53
45
47
45 (70 Game season, COVID)
32 (56 game season - 47 point pace)
37 with four games to go.
But going to hockey reference and typing in ‘Mikael Backlund’ is hard, I get it.
Last edited:
Ruzicka is super interesting to me. He has tools. Will he be a Colborne/Jankowski type or break through? I'd just want to know that before I moved Backlund. An interesting side bar on Backlund is he is +13 against McDavid. The rest of our centers are a combined -16. It gets even uglier if you isolate out Lindholm.
treple13
Registered User
- Sep 1, 2013
- 2,849
- 1,528
Likely someone who lives in South Calgary. Here in the North I could probably hit Edmonton outer limits in like 2 hours 15 minutes
muddywaters
GO FLAMES GO
Nanuuk
Registered User
Unless he gets some snarl, I'd say a Jankowski 2.0. But I think he's still just a kid and will soak up a lot sitting on Looch's knee listening to old war stories.
blankall
Registered User
- Jul 4, 2007
- 15,111
- 5,521
Ruzicka already seems far more willing to engage and get into the front of the net than Janko did. He also seems far more interested in actually scoring goals.
blankall
Registered User
- Jul 4, 2007
- 15,111
- 5,521
The idea is that to get the big stars signed, the Flames may have to make some difficult decisions. If Lucic cannot be moved, then signing all of Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Mangiapane, and Kylington without moving another contract may not be possible. The team may have to choose between Mangiapane and moving a guy like Backlund.
HarrySPlinkett
Not a film critic
Ruzicka has had to work his way to the NHL as a mid round pick, and looks like an actual NHL player.
Jankowski was the personification of “magic beans”, and was completely incapable of generating anything on his own at this level.
Which was a shame, because the toolbox was all there. The hockey sense was too.
Unfortunately, Janko was a piece of dry toast - no jam.
blankall
Registered User
- Jul 4, 2007
- 15,111
- 5,521
Definitely one way of dealing with cap issues. Mangiapane's value is likely at an all time high, and he may not ever get 35 goals again. So whoever pays him, could end up paying way too much.
The depth scoring would be sorely missed. Maybe Pelletier and Zary can jump in and make up for it.
For some teams that's a different decision then for us. Mangiapane is without question the better player. But we have tons of wingers that are top 9 caliber and only 2 centers who are. You move Mangiapane in that scenario.
That said, the right move is keeping Mangiapane and moving Tkachuk.
