YAY OPTIMISM – Mikael Backlund as MR. BRIGHTSIDE

 

 

One player that the Flames management and fans will want to keep a close eye on in this upcoming season is defiitely Mikael Backlund. Being touted as Calgary’s best prospect, it’s time for Mikael to make the jump from a prospect to a fully fledged role player. Entering his third year with Calgary, this season just may provide the opportunity for the young Swede to show just what he can do, with a little ambition and a lot of hard work.

Last season Backlund started on the fourth line, centering for a carousel of wingers, while the Flames tinkered with a carousel of centres for the top line. One by one, the rotation of Jokinen, Stajan and Morrison were cycled through playing with Iginla and Tanguay. With Backlund lacking the experience and the Flames needing instant chemistry, it seemed like Mikael was going to be in tough to get the chance to earn his stripes.

Backlund’s season totals are absolutely something for the Flames and their fans to be encouraged about. Given that he played two to three minutes less than any other centre, his corsi number blows away the rest of his peers. In fact, his 14.89 was second only to Tim Jackman at 16.31 for the entire team. The next closest skater was David Moss at 8.26.

One of the most talked about subject here in Flames Nation has been the possible line combinations for 2011-12. There are many that believe there are certain lines that are evident from the second half of last season that just worked; and should be left alone. Perhaps the most commonly approved of line is that of Glencross – Jokinen – Moss. One of the most effective combinations for the Flames and was often credited for destroying other team third lines. The other favourable combination seemed to lean towards Bourque and Langkow, reunited with the belief that the elder centre makes Rene a better player and his return to the lineup full time, might also prompt the return of Bourque’s play as an offensive threat.

That leaves two lines without a centreman and three centres without lines? In Kent’s article about Brent Sutter, he talks about the more hands on control the coach will have on how he deploys his lines. He also discusses the Flames’ task of finding a suitable fit at centre for Iginla and Tanguay, and who, with an abundance of options might be the right candidate. Looking at Backlund’s underlying possession numbers, he seems to be the right ‘kid’ for the job. Consider this…

You can see that even with the slow start and a fourth line placement, Backlund found his bearings, resulting in an increase in his shooting percentage in the middle and last thirds of the season. The 2% jump from the first to the second third of the season could be viewed as him settling in as a permanent roster player. At times he has been able to show flashes of skill. As his confidence in that role grows, so too should his shot totals.

Honestly, the kid deserves a shot to centre the top line with Iginla and Tanguay. It would be a complete waste of time and development to continue to bury Backlund on the fourth line. He is a rising talent in an aging population. This year can be an incredible step for him developmentally. It's no secret that the Flames have not generated many positive results when deploying Iginla's line in a PvP situation. The fact that the Flames have found positive results when choosing to shelter the Iginla line, represents an opportunity to further Backlund's development without throwing him to the wolves. After all, it's not as if Mikael is holding back the two big wingers, as we can see from here.

 

Both Iginla and Tanguay played better with Backlund than they did with any other centre on the line. What made even a better case for the kid to stay on this line is that he was able to maintain his elevated shooting percentage. Backlund hasn't hit lofty percentages yet in his young career, but he has shown a potential trend towards a formidable SH%. If his skill level is higher than what he has shown so far, then we can probably expect his shooting percentage to improve over the long run.

If the team is indeed in a transitional state this season, and looking for a few guys like Giordano and Backlund to be there when the proverbial torch gets passed, this is the ideal environment for Backlund. He will be sheltered to a certain degree but will also bolster his confidence and undoubtedly, his shooting percentages. We have already seen the trend moving towards Giordano on defence. It's time for the kid from Sweden to open up his eager eyes.. He's Mr. Brightside!