"I'd be anxious to see him play in the NHL. He's done everything we've asked in the American League...

"I'd be anxious to see him play in the NHL. He's done everything we've asked in the American League and he's won games single-handedly down there. It's not like he hasn't played in elite leagues before. He's played in the Swedish Elite League for a number of years.

-- Paul Holmgren, via the Flyers, talking about Johan Backlund

Seemingly right on cue, SanFillippo reports Backlund will start Saturday vs PIT.

about 2 years ago Travis Hughes 27 comments 0 recs |

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About time, I think. This team’s not going anywhere and we have a guy who’s played really well in the AHL. Let’s see what we’ve got. I like Holmgren forcing Laviolette’s hand here.

by Ben Feldman on Mar 26, 2010 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Also — and I don’t know if this is too short notice or whatever — but can we try and get Tim McManus to give us an idea of what to expect in terms of Backlund’s strengths and weaknesses from what he’s seen from him with the Phantoms?

by Ben Feldman on Mar 26, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

So I guess they’re not even trying to make the playoffs now.

by MarioD on Mar 26, 2010 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

weren’t you the one that said you’d rather have backlund start over leighton and boucher?

by Carcillo's Mustache on Mar 26, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Collapse-athon 2010 continues! All points must go!

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room."

by Grp_Cpt_Lionel_Mandrake on Mar 26, 2010 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

I think this is a great idea.

by SwimminDave on Mar 26, 2010 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

What do we have to lose, really?

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Mar 26, 2010 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

I agree! It’s what’s the reality time. We aren’t going anywhere so it is time to see who is a contender and who is a pretender. That goes for a couple other guys as well.

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Mar 26, 2010 5:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Besides every game for the rest of the year?

I want a goalie, in some kind of form, by Game 1. It’s more likely to be Boosh, in my opinion, making any minutes you give Backlund a waste of time. I’ve never heard of a goalie transitioning to the NHL quickly enough for Backlund to be our guy this year.

by Snevik on Mar 26, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

We’re not winning with Boosh though, even though I agree with you that Boosh is likely a better goalie. That’s what I mean. What do we have to lose? We’re not winning now, so how much is a change going to hurt?

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Mar 26, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

The same reason we aren’t calling up Legein to replace Briere: he’s not as good. Put the best team on the ice.

I guess we’ll find out Saturday if Backlund has the mettle. In the meantime, I’m going to assume this is a white flag, instead of an honest-to-god evaluation of talent.

The difference between Backlund and Ward is that Ward was a first ronud pick always slotted to be the goalie of the future, whose fourteen games were being used to break him in. Backlund is an unknown quantity we are throwing in the fire because our management is desperate, but our team isn’t playing that way.

by Snevik on Mar 26, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

In the meantime, I’m going to assume this is a white flag, instead of an honest-to-god evaluation of talent.

I don’t think it has to be one or the other. Like Travis said, the team isn’t winning. The team can’t win with Boucher in net – whether Boucher lets in weak goals or stands on his head, only allowing one. Maybe the team will play better, making the difference between Boucher and Backlund negligible.

Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 26, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey now, Homer (the skilled evaluator of talent that he is) compared Backlund to Nik Backstrom. And Neil Little said he’s better than Gustavsson. So he’s not an unknown at all!

/sarcasm

by Ben Feldman on Mar 26, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I think goaltenders more than any other position either got it or they don’t. I think more often than not goaltenders just emerge, touted or not. We know Boucher is not the present or the future and cannot get the job done, so lets move on and see if Backlund even has a shot at the back up position next year. Hell maybe he will pull a Patrick Roy or a Ken Dryden and be the next greatest goaltender of all time because if he doesn’t look good move the hell on with the search. Grooming is overrated

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Mar 26, 2010 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

This guy is 29 years old? He has not impressed enough to crack the line up before 29 years old? Shit or get off the pot with this guy already. I am thinking he is some kind of a youngster. We are sparing the embarrassment of a 29 year old rookie. This is why this franchise is in the position it is with this position.

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Mar 26, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s the first time he’s played in North America though, so think about how long it took Lundqvist, Backstrom, etc. come over.

Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 26, 2010 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I will concede Backstrom as the minute exception not the rule. Lundqvist is in his fifth year and is a year younger.

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Mar 26, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

How about Cam Ward. I know there is a big difference between 14 games and 8 but right now the unknown is lot more enticing then the known.

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Mar 26, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Although I am all for this team missing the playoffs, assuming that means changes, but even if it doesn’t, what does this team have to lose by starting Backlund? Maybe the rest of the team will show up for him since they obviously are not showing up for Boosh.

I am curious to see what this guy can do, either he sucks, or he is awesome but one way or the other we need to find out. I would rather they do it now rather than it drag out to next year.

by EREX21 on Mar 26, 2010 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

Why would we

want to miss the playoffs? Its not like we have a draft pick to look forward to. Maybe making the playoffs will actually wake some of these guys up, and if not, maybe they’ll be shown the door for someone who will play.

-first time poster long time reader, figured i should get around to it.

by HankMonahan on Mar 26, 2010 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Welcome aboard.

While I agree with your “why miss the playoffs?” assessment, I’m not so sure making the playoffs will wake some of these guys up. Game 1 in Pittsburgh last year was just a carry-over from the Rangers game.

Hopefully you’re right though.

Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.

by Geoff Detweiler on Mar 26, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Has WIP ingrained this “long time listener, first time caller” thing in us? Just sit down at the table and talk.

by Snevik on Mar 26, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve tried to stick to that idea for a while now. They can play like they did in the third period against Nashville, or like they did against Chicago. They can do that. It’s just a matter of sustaining it, and I’m hoping the playoffs will do that. Who knows what can happen if they do that…

Unfortunately, it’s a huge, planet-sized if.

Broad Street Hockey - SBN's Philadelphia Flyers blog. Got goaltending? Searching since 1987.

by Travis Hughes on Mar 26, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

ok ok....

We are still in this, it is going to get bumpy no doubt, but we are still in this….am I crying Cup? No, definitely not…Playoffs? Absolutely. (Is Playoffs good enough? Well it would make this season more relevant and not such a lost cause.)

Boosh needs to understand that it is on him now, unless Backlund (God Bless Ya Kid on Sat) can come out and show that maybe he is ready for the limelight. If he did, the Hockey Gods DO have mercy for Broad Street.

Defensively, Pronger needs to be Pronger and get on these guys…accountability, there is none on this team, which says to me that neither the coach(es) or the team leaders are speaking up at all. Your big stars are there for a reason to lead in all aspects of the game for your club…it’s not happening here.

Offensively, we are still viable and potentially dangerous (depending on who wants to show up each night – Gagne you are always going to be one of my favorite Flyers, thick or think brotha!) Giroux has hands, oh so soft, but he has used them to set-up more then knocking em’ down. He will get the idea soon enough and will be putting up some more numbers in the Goal category. Chemistry can be found, I think we should roll with what works best and just try to tweak it moderately as the reg. season ends and the post season begins. No point in getting too fancy now, this is the slugfest the Flyers must endure, setting us up for the Heavyweight Bout that is the Playoffs. (Philly/Boxing kinda sappy, whatever, bite me!)

Skip the Pitt, Move on down to Broad Street....
Philadelphia Flyers / Columbus Blue Jackets, 'nuff said.

by PhillyPhan85 on Mar 26, 2010 6:31 PM EDT reply actions

Considering the Flyers are doing their best NY Mets impression, I’d love to see Backlund get some serious time over the remainder of the season. I’d love to get a glimpse (even if it is small) of Backlund and if he will be a viable option for next year. I think throwing him into a “big game” against the Pens would be a good test to see what Backlund got…

@Mitchman88 on Twitter

by Mitchell Green on Mar 26, 2010 8:34 PM EDT reply actions