I don't know that the term "defensive specialist" applies to any centres in the NHL anymore, and would argue that that specialty went away when Craig MacTavish retired in 1997... There are players that are more adept, and I think Backs is still in that category, but he's not at the elite level like Bergeron or O'Reilly.

Kadri is not a defensive specialist either, and I think Lindholm's value is higher on the 1st line in a supporting capacity than it would be as a C down the lineup. He covers a lot of gaps in Mony/Johnny's game and can still rip. IMO, Kadri and Backlund are basically the same player.

Also, typically in the mantra of a shutdown guy, you'd look at that as your 3C anyways. Faceoff winner and a line that can shadow players. To me, that's Derek Ryan through and through. I'd be more supporting of leaving Backs where he is and having a fast, defensively minded 3rd line with Ryan, Mangy and Frolik (if he's still here on October 3).
- rmull905

Kadri and Backlund aren't even close...I would take Kadri 10 out of 10...MUCH higher upside offensively and much more difficult to play against for opposing players. Backlund is nothing for the other team to be worried about in any sense..offensively or defensively...or physically. What opposing coach tries to keep their top guys away from Backlund?? Nobody. Further, Swedes also have a history of disappearing in the playoffs (one exception, Lidstrom). I do agree with your take on Ryan though...so I have a bone to pick with Peters on continually playing Backlund against MacKinnon in the playoffs even after it was clearly not working.

Not sure I agree on your Backlund assessment but I do think Lindholm would make an excellent shut down C. If you're proposing using Backlund as a 3C & Lindy and Mony as 1 & 2 C's, we would be better served trading him and letting Ryan, Janko, Bennett, Dube & Quinne battle for 3C and 4C. Backlund would bring back an excellent package as 3/4 of the league would love to have him as their 2C.
- DEDDIE

I am all for trading Backlund...I have been since before he signed his extension. The return, the relief in cap hit and the slotting of everyone else works well for the Flames. Name me a high end player who hasn't feasted on the Flames over the years vs Backlund and I will name you three who have. No opposing player or coach is afraid to face Backlund. Lindy as your 2 and Ryan as your 3 is fine to me...

Kadri and Backlund aren't even close...I would take Kadri 10 out of 10...MUCH higher upside offensively and much more difficult to play against for opposing players. Backlund is nothing for the other team to be worried about in any sense..offensively or defensively...or physically. What opposing coach tries to keep their top guys away from Backlund?? Nobody. Further, Swedes also have a history of disappearing in the playoffs (one exception, Lidstrom). I do agree with your take on Ryan though...so I have a bone to pick with Peters on continually playing Backlund against MacKinnon in the playoffs even after it was clearly not working.
- sideshow03

Lance frigging Bouma scored 16 playing with Backlund, then Colborne scored 20 the next season. I remember keith Tkachuk praising Backlund, saying how fortunate Matthew was to play with such a smart player. That's what Backlund is, a very smart player and he makes whoever is playing with him better. There's a reason Backlund usually ends up in the top 10 in Selke voting. Kadri is a good player but he's a hot head, I don't mind that we lost out on him.

Kadri and Backlund aren't even close...I would take Kadri 10 out of 10...MUCH higher upside offensively and much more difficult to play against for opposing players. Backlund is nothing for the other team to be worried about in any sense..offensively or defensively...or physically. What opposing coach tries to keep their top guys away from Backlund?? Nobody. Further, Swedes also have a history of disappearing in the playoffs (one exception, Lidstrom). I do agree with your take on Ryan though...so I have a bone to pick with Peters on continually playing Backlund against MacKinnon in the playoffs even after it was clearly not working.
- sideshow03

Lol, what? Kadri has higher upside? K.

Backlund has centered the Flames best defensive line for the last 3 years... he plays against top guys nightly and generally does a good job shutting them down by controlling the play. Avs series was an aberration in his play, and frankly its because that top line outskated and outhustled every single Flames player in that series.

Lol, what? Kadri has higher upside? K.

Backlund has centered the Flames best defensive line for the last 3 years... he plays against top guys nightly and generally does a good job shutting them down by controlling the play. Avs series was an aberration in his play, and frankly its because that top line outskated and outhustled every single Flames player in that series.
- rmull905

Playing against the other team's top line night after night and being a +34 is a fantastic stat. He's such a good player.

Playing against the other team's top line night after night and being a +34 is a fantastic stat. He's such a good player.
- tincup

That line also gets more than 50% of their starts in the defensive zone while also still having above 50% possession metrics.That is quite impressive.

Backlund is no slouch defensively, and he's certainly played a role in helping Tkachuk learn how to be defensively responsible, too.

His job isn't easy, but he is fantastic at it anyway.

Swedes tend to disappear in the playoffs??

How about Erik Karlsson, who almost single-handedly carried the Sens to the Cup Final a few years ago?

How about Nicklas Backstrom, who had 23 points in 20 games 2 years ago?

How about Patric Hornqvist, who played a key role on the top line for the Pens' back-t-back?

Nicklas Hjalmarsson, Johny Oduya and Marcus Kruger, who were stalwarts on the defensive side of things for the Hawks' dynasty?

The list could go on and on.

Swedes tend to disappear in the playoffs??

How about Erik Karlsson, who almost single-handedly carried the Sens to the Cup Final a few years ago?

How about Nicklas Backstrom, who had 23 points in 20 games 2 years ago?

How about Patric Hornqvist, who played a key role on the top line for the Pens' back-t-back?

Nicklas Hjalmarsson, Johny Oduya and Marcus Kruger, who were stalwarts on the defensive side of things for the Hawks' dynasty?

The list could go on and on.
- redseerpf

Zetterberg and Lidstrom were okay in the playoffs.

The idea of Lindholm moving to centre is purely because Backlund has proven he is no defensive specialist, especially when it comes to handling elite centres like MacKinnon, which you will see 90% of the time in the playoffs. THAT is why the idea of Lindholm (or Kadri) at centre is even a thought...they have a shot at doing it. If Backlund could handle other teams' elites, you wouldn't even think about breaking up the top line. The combos of Monahan/Gaudreau and Lindholm/Tkachuk is the appeal if it works. Backlund as your third centre instead of your second makes by blood pressure go down just talking about it...
- sideshow03

Judging a player by one series as opposed to five years of posting dominant defensive numbers.

Backlund has even found some gnarl in his game this year, saw him get involved after the whistle a few times. At 5.3 per, seeing what for 2nd line centers go these days (Kevin Hayes), he's a keeper.

You guys have drank the Backlund Kool-aid for way too long. Where are these defensive stats you talk about? It's all so subjective but there is no actual proof. Hey, I'm glad too there is no Kadri in Calgary...don't get me wrong, but a guy as your 2nd or 3rd centre with 30 goal upside is exactly what you need to be a contender...not a guy who is lucky to score 20. The Flames 2nd PP unit is always horrible, and the only time the Flames win is when our top guys carry the load...which can't not happen every night and WILL not happen in the playoffs every night in a 7 game series. Every ligit team has a 2nd line centre who COULD fill in as your top line centre with an injury...Backlund is NOT EVEN CLOSE. Can you even imagine him as the top line centre for any length of time?? Good GOD! If he was the Flames 3rd line centre, I wouldn't even have brought this up...it's a non-starter...but so long as he is the 2nd line centre, get used to early playoff exits.