Backes Looking for Extension
David Backes is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016. Based on reports from Saturday night, it sounds like the Blues are interested in having their captain finish his career in St.Louis.
Blues GM Doug Armstrong says he's had talks with David Backes about his future (2016 UFA), would love to see him play whole career in STL.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) September 12, 2015
This is great news for Blues fan. Although not all fans will share the same opinion. Since their early departure from the playoffs last season, Blues fans have been extremely vocal on social media, with many pointing to David Backes as the scapegoat.
More attention needs to be paid to just how terrible David Backes and TJ Oshie really are. They suck
— Kevin Sullivan (@KevinSullivan9) April 25, 2015
That’s why David Backes is a terrible captain.
— Justin Striebel (@jstriebel22) April 17, 2015
Above, are just a couple tweets that resemble what a lot of Blues fans have been saying all summer. If you take it one step further, and engage with some intelligible Blues fans, the problem with David Backes becomes clearly evident.
It has nothing to do with his skill set, so much as the role he’s been forced to play. Most believe he’s a quality 2nd line center who’s been forced into 1st line duties.
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What makes David Backes so effective? When describing this rare style of hockey, the term 50/50 player is often used. 50 pts – 50 penalty minutes. But Backes is so much more than just a 50/50 guy. He’s captained the Blues for awhile now. He’s represented his country at the highest stage twice (Olympics).
You don’t have to be in the dressing room to know this guys leadership and character are off the charts. Delving into the stats a bit. He’s been an excellent face-off man, ranking 14th last year with a 54.6 faceoff win %. He’s amongst the leaders in hits year after year. His hits were actually down a bit from his career average last year and he still finished 18th with 227 hits. Forget 50 PIM, this guy consistently puts up over 100 PIM/season.
Some may question whether that’s a positive as some of those PIMs are leaving his team shorthanded. But how has Anaheim managed with Getzlaf and Perry for years who both put up decent PIMs. He’s shown the ability to produce on the pp, posting 10 goals and 6 assists on the PP last season.
Lets not forget the fact that he consistently produces in the 55-60 point range. He shoots the puck at a decent rate, usually in the 175-200 range (posted 183 shots last year). Last season, he also had 29 giveaways with 38 takeaways. While both numbers are relatively low, that’s gotta be a positive for puck possession, especially when your takeaways exceed your giveaways.
Oh, did I mention he finished 4th among forwards last year in blocked shots with 87?
Apr 22, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; St. Louis Blues forward David Backes (42) hits Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Blues defeated the Wild 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Shake-up in St.Louis It sounds as though Blues fans may get their wish heading into the 2015-2016 season. With the news of a potential Backes extension, also brought upon another piece of news.
Interesting to talk to Ken Hitchcock about expanded role coming for Paul Stastny. Expect to see a lot of Stastny w/Tarasenko.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) September 13, 2015
You’ve gotta assume that the Blues first line would likely be Schwartz – Stastny – Tarasenko, with a second-line featuring Steen – Backes – Brouwer. Is Stastny the answer though? After signing a lucrative 7mil/yr deal with the Blues, he had a truly disappointing season.
Does Hitchcock believe Stastny can be an effective 1st liner? Tarasenko can likely make any player more productive, which leaves me wondering whether or not this is a showcase to rid themselves of a contract they never should have signed in the first place.
Whether or not Stastny is a fit for the top line, the experiment should be short-lived. The Blues top 2 prospects, C Robby Fabbri and C Ivan Barbashev are both knocking on the door, and both possess the potential skill to be a fit for the top line in the very near future.
One thing is certain. With Backes accepting a slightly diminished role, fans will have a hard time pointing the finger of blame at their captain. Because let’s be honest, how do you expect to win when there’s such a drop off in skill between your top 3 and bottom 3 d-men.
Not to mention, a backup goalie in Brian Elliott who plays excellently through the season, but doesn’t play well enough to get it done in the playoffs. Is Elliott the right guy to mentor your young stud goaltender, Jake Allen? Can he teach this young man how to prepare for games and bring the right kind of intensity to a playoff atmosphere?
David Backes was never the problem, so it’ll be interesting to see who Blues fans make the scapegoat come next offseason. It’s likely fans start blaming their stud d-men Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk. The focus should be finding a veteran goalie with past success that can come in and properly mentor their young starter.