One only needs to glance at the QC Flames record or scoring stats to realize the Flames have a complete lack of skilled prospects at forward. The team is currently led in scoring by fringe players like Lundmark, Greentree and Chucko - guys who would be in the NHL already if they had top 6 upside. Daniel Ryder, once one of the more promising centers in the system, was sent down to the ECHL recently (where he hasn't done a thing) and we're still years away from determining whether guys like Wahl or Nemisz are worth a damn or not.
Mikael Backlund was thought to be the best of the bunch. A stand-out at the world Juniors tournaments, Backlund was given a long look-see this summer in training camp, even though he was just 19 years old.
The kid fell flat on his face during the pre-season though. His game steadily deteriorated as he struggled to keep up at an NHL pace. By the end of the exhibition season, it was clear as day that he was nowhere near NHL ready (I was more impressed with Dustin Boyd's first training camp to tell you the truth).
More concerning, however, is the fact that Backlund is struggling in Sweden this season. A lot. As in...may be dropped from his team bad. That is a giant step backwards for a kid who was top 5 in European skaters during his draft and a leading scorer for Vasteras last year during the play-offs.
Backlund and the Flames still have options if he does get the boot. He can either play for the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL (they own his CHL rights) or they can plunk him down in the QC. Im not sure which would be a better choice for the kid, given the AHL is probably tougher than the league he's currently in, but...unless Backlund can do a full 180 - wherever he happens to land - this is bad news for this organization.
