I wasn`t as frustrated, worried or angry about the signing last year as some here were and I also didn`t think Backes was awful last year considering he was a lifelong Blues player who had solidified his roots who then had to pick himself and his family up and move them into a new city, new teammates, system, get his family settled.
What I don`t think anyone could have predicted is for this player to face what he`s had to face already this year, return and be as productive. I have no idea and maybe someone can answer it here but does he appear to be leaner out there and while not fast, quicker than he was prior to his diagnoses and surgery?
Chemistry is just weird, looking at that Nash, Heinen, Backes trio, I wouldn`t have thought they`d be the kind of line who`d produce much offensively, I certainly thought they`d be a line who`d make life miserable for opponents who were trying to produce but I didn`t forsee a trio who would threaten offensively themselves.
I don`t expect Backes to remain on this pace the rest of the year but he`s got to be this year`s Masterton winner and it sure sounds like, from all I read about him, he`s a well respected and and vocal leader in the room