Backes to Wing

[Frenzy31]

After watching last nights game, what do you think about moving Backes to wing for at least part of the season. I know that it has been bantered about and frankly I was against it. It is hard to move a Selky candidate to a different position.

But with Berglund playing very well defensively, moving Backes up on a wing with Stas and Steen may create two dynamic scoring lines, along with adding more physicality. Going with a shut down line of Oshie, Berglund and MSP (sorry I don't like Lindstrom). It would make us much tougher to play against and keep teams from focusing on one line.

Anyone have any other thoughts on this?

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[BlueDream]

I think it'd just be easier to roll a shut down line of Berglund-Backes-Oshie. I want some physicality with Steen and Stastny as well, but our best bet there may be Jaskin. I prefer him to MPS/Lindstrom but apparently the Blues don't right now, or at least they just don't have enough room for him.

I think the best thing is to keep Backes at center. I was seriously worried about him for this whole season, but last night's game made me feel a lot better. Perhaps he's not actually declining and was just off to another one of his cold starts that he's kind of known for. If he goes back to being his usual wrecking ball self, that is huge for this team.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I guess the question is, can a quicker version of Berglund, which we have now, handle the shutdown role. If he can prove to do that against tougher teams, then I'd be ok with the move. If Berglund can handle it, then you must keep Backes at center. That being said, I'm still iffy about Backes being on the wing, but yesterday's game definitely put a lot of those concerns out the window.

I think it's sort of if we got a defensive pairing that could handle a shutdown role, then we could use the Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo pairing in an offensive role like the Keith-Seabrook pairing.

I think we should use the exact same combos for our next game and keep going with it until their play dips. Those middle 6 lines are completely interchangeable and there are so many different combinations that I think we'll keep trying different ones until we strike lightning. Maybe having a wrecking ball that likes to play down low will be what Stastny needs.

A quicker Berglund makes things very interesting because now he could be a legitimate shutdown center. Faceoffs are a concern, but we have so many faceoff specialists that we can just put Ott on his line when they have a defensive zone start. If Berglund can keep getting more physical, then I think he might have finally found his role in this league.

 

[LGB51]

Hopefully Captain America is back.

 

[Dbrownss]

Backes was driving the center of the ice when he was noticeable to me, I don't believe being on RW had anything to do with him looking like the Bull he is, he simply was playing like he gave a damn. You could see it in his eyes. He was a man on a mission. I still prefer him as a center.

 

[Blues88]

He looked like 2011 Backes last night. The guy is near unstoppable when he plays like that.

I like him in the middle but whatever. As long as he gets engaged physically and shoots the puck a bit, I couldn't care less what position he plays.

 

[Frenzy31]

Backes was driving the center of the ice when he was noticeable to me, I don't believe being on RW had anything to do with him looking like the Bull he is, he simply was playing like he gave a damn. You could see it in his eyes. He was a man on a mission. I still prefer him as a center.

I think playing wing without having to play center allows him to get in on the forecheck. Centers tend to play back a little and are not the first guy in.

 

[Dbrownss]

I think playing wing without having to play center allows him to get in on the forecheck. Centers tend to play back a little and are not the first guy in.

I understand that but I didn't see any different then Backes from last year. He's still all over the ice while playing RW.

Unless Berglund as our 3c proves to be a superior lineup with Oshie and plug on his LW. I still prefer Backes as C.

We still have 3 strong 2 way Cs regardless of set up

 

[Multimoodia]

In regards to the title of this topic, I would have to say I'm a bit hesitant to see Backes go down this path. While I understand that there are several off-days, the fact remains that I would prefer he remain focused on hockey (regardless of position) until the summer months at the very least.

Now, if he is simply going to be an absentee owner and is simply hoping to generate profits (and possibly relieve the Blues of additional salary demands on his next contract) then I am certainly more in favor of it. Though I would caution David that if he does go into the towing industry that he remain away from asset recovery since that would likely reflect negatively for him from a publicity standpoint.

In regards to the spirit of the topic, I have a hard time imagining Backes providing more value on the wing than he does as a Selke-caliber center. But since the Blues have an impressive amount of center depth, if Hitch wants to try that I don't see it creating a massive shortfall somewhere else.

 

[RR10*]

Backes should stay at center. I don't think a line with Steen - Stastny - Backes would be that great offensively. Get another winger to Stastny or give Rattie a chance. Lindstrom - Berglund - Oshie wont be that good either. It's better to go with STL, Steen - Stastny - Oshie/Rattie/New RW, Berglund - Backes - Oshie/New RW.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Backes Towing is a horrible company. Never hire them to tow your car! I had them tow my car a couple years ago after a guy hit me from behind and held it hostage as my insurance co was processing the claim, then they sold it for parts. Never trust Backes Towing! Everyone says the owner is a nice guy but he's really a jerk - I hear he beat up a teenager about a year ago.

 

[Thallis]

Backes Towing is a horrible company. Never hire them to tow your car! I had them tow my car a couple years ago after a guy hit me from behind and held it hostage as my insurance co was processing the claim, then they sold it for parts. Never trust Backes Towing! Everyone says the owner is a nice guy but he's really a jerk - I hear he beat up a teenager about a year ago.

He made the back of my car smell like dirty dog. What an awful company.

 

[andyolly]

Hey all, Ducks fan coming in peace. I'm a huge David Backes fan (fav player) and I've been seeing a few "Backes to the..." threads lately. Is he actually on the block? I would be really surprised, seeing as his skillset and the fact that he's captain, if he was traded, but I haven't seen anyone downplay it either. If he ever does move, I'd hope he stays on the Blues (who I like) or comes to the Ducks (which won't happen).

So all that being said, is he actually likely to be moved or not? Thanks!

 

[bleedblue1223]

No, he's definitely not on the block. There is a scenario though in the summer that we could decide to move him before his contract ends if we decide that Lehtera will get a big money extension since Backes will be a free agent at the same time and is a Newport client. If they fail in the playoffs again, it will be an even more realistic scenario.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

Hey all, Ducks fan coming in peace. I'm a huge David Backes fan (fav player) and I've been seeing a few "Backes to the..." threads lately. Is he actually on the block? I would be really surprised, seeing as his skillset and the fact that he's captain, if he was traded, but I haven't seen anyone downplay it either. If he ever does move, I'd hope he stays on the Blues (who I like) or comes to the Ducks (which won't happen).

So all that being said, is he actually likely to be moved or not? Thanks!

Not at all on the block. Him moving to the wing for a couple games had an odd effect on the trade board.

If anything, moving him to wing could have been a move to showcase Berglund for a trade. David Backes isn't going anywhere any time soon.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Not at all on the block. Him moving to the wing for a couple games had an odd effect on the trade board.

If anything, moving him to wing could have been a move to showcase Berglund for a trade. David Backes isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Right, this what it was in reality, but the main board took it as him being on the block. It's not a coincidence that Berglund went to center at the same time as the Oilers game (pretty sure that's the game that it happened).

 

[2 Minute Minor]

But then Eberle pulled the anti-showcase game.

 

[andyolly]

Good to know, guys. Thanks! I had doubts that he was, just wanted to make sure. Hopefully the Blues finally put it together this year. I've always liked them and, obviously aside from the Ducks, I wish St. Louis would win a Cup more than anyone. So many players that deserve one on that roster.

Good luck!