With the news that Mikael Backlund was being sent to the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL, here was my review of his rookie performance so far this season.
The article is posted on Matchsticks & Gasoline here.
Below is an excerpt.
“With 4 goals and 4 assists in 32 games, Backlund hasn’t exactly been lighting up the traditional NHL stat line, but has been +4 on the season. Obviously Brent Sutter and interim GM Jay Feaster felt he wasn’t bringing enough to the Flames squad and are backed up in that assertion by the Flames recent winning streak with Backlund in street clothes.
But as we all know here at M&G, the traditional stat line doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, the Flames appear to be making a huge mistake by sending Backlund down to the Heat. Not only are they wasting a year of his entry level contract, but he’s actually holding his own as a third line player at an age when NHL forwards typically develop the fastest. Denying him time in the NHL is likely hurting his development.”
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