1. mikael backlund
word is coming out today that the swedish allsvenskan club västerås doesn't want the calgary prospect to return, pending his showing at this year's world juniors. apparently (and shep could probably elaborate further) västerås is playing backlund on a third line, and it's a bit unclear (to me, at least) if this is cause or effect; is backlund struggling and his icetime is being reduced accordingly, or is his role being minimized because of his almost-certain departure next year for north america ? either way, it seems that the 19-year-old might end up on the kelowna rockets after a world junior champion is crowned.
2. mats sundin
apologies for my outburst yesterday, but i'm pretty sick and tired of this "news" story cutting into my hockey highlights. it seems fairly obvious to me that mats has selected the rangers, and is waiting for the club to move a contract or two and clear up some space under the cap. this is what i'm hoping, anyways. vancouver is thriving with no big-name talent, and the insertion of an elite player is not gonna help calgary win the division...
3. chicago blackhawks
after a massively convincing victory in edmonton on tuesday, the chicago blackhawks have been kickin' it in cowtown. apparently the boys went curling at the glencoe club yesterday. hopefully they also boozed it up at cowboys and will still be suffering hangovers when they roll into the 'dome on friday night, but i doubt it... :P
:)
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or is his role being minimized because of his almost-certain departure next year for north america ?
I read that explanation in the paper too and it sounds mighty dubious to me. Berglund played on the top line last year, despite obviously being headed for the NHL this season.
i agree... i wonder if it's (what i like to call) lombardi-boyd syndrome ? confidence rattled by demotion, play suffers, icetime minimized, further blow to confidence etc etc etc.
hopefully he can come up huge at the WJC and then if he needs to come across to raise his game, then so be it...
that's the optimistic perspective, anyways....
how i see it:
1. backlund arrives in västerås and doesnt dominate like berglund did last year.
2. backlund gets less icetime and lesser linemates.
3. västerås gm leif rohlin (former canuck!!!) says something like "we want backlund to be amazing, he hasnt been amazing for us yet... yadayada"
4. calgary gets worried about backlunds situation in västerås and says that if he isnt put in a good position to develop in västerås they rather have him playing hockey somewhere else.
ive actually seen a couple of västerås games on tv and the reports are true, hes not getting much to work with (toi/pptoi/qualteam) but you really notice his talentlevel compared to the average allsvenskan player when he has the puck.
in one of the games, new jerseys 2008 first round draft pick tedenby played for the opposing team and got first line minutes and looked really good doing it meanwhile backlund was getting the boyd treatment.
so... in your opinion, he is being underused and is therefore underperforming...?
much like boyd ?
yeah ?
perhaps kelowna IS a better option...
I was PRAYING the Flames would take Tedenby in the draft...instead we moved down and took Nemisz. That still might work out for all I know, but...
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