10 Things to Watch: Backlund

We are now eleven games from the start of the Flames 2008/09 campaign, so it’s time to start getting ourselves into gear for the season again. I’ll be celebrating the new season by counting down 10 things to watch over the 82 game regular season. Today’s subject is prospect Mikael Backlund.

The Flames’ recent draft history has been somewhat suspect, with few bona fide professionals finding their way onto the roster. Consider such first round picks as Chuck Kobasew, Brent Krahn, Oleg Saprykin, Rico Fata, and Daniel Tkaczuk (Dion Phaneuf is an obvious exception, but first round picks in ‘03 couldn’t miss). Recent picks like Leland Irving, Greg Nemisz, and Backlund are looking to change the Flames’ draft fortunes.

Backlund, the 19-year old Swede, was one of the more intriguing and most highly anticipated players at the rookie camp, and has survived thus far in main camp. Last season, he begain the year in Vasteras, Sweeden, tallying 13 points in 9 games with the junior club before rounding out the season on the second-division club, earning 15 points (11-4) in 46 games. Modest numbers to be sure, but not bad for an 18-year old. Flames fans were also impressed with his 7 points (3-4) in 6 games with the Swedish junior team at the U-20 championships a year ago.

Given his experience from parts of three seasons in the Swedish second division and the considerable skill that Backlund has shown at the Flames’ camp thus far, the rookie stands a good shot at cracking the roster this season. His combination of speed and passing ability could help to fill the void left by the departures Kristian Huselius and Alex Tanguay, complementing the grit that composes so much of the Flames’ roster.

Given what we’ve seen of Mikael Backlund up to this point, I won’t hesitate to say that as a late first round pick, he certainly looks better than some of our top ten picks of the last decade. I hope we do get to watch him this year and see what he can do at the NHL level.