Backes Boards Alzner

[Falco Lombardi]

That's just not looking at the big picture. He could fight other top-liners that can actually fight (you know other big guys like Getzlaf, Thornton, Benn, Iginla, etc). But he'll typically go after guys like Duchene, MacKinnon, the Sedins, etc. It'd be like if Joe Thornton tried picking a fight with Tarasenko, which would be dumb. I'm a Blues fan but you guys have to admit that it's stupid when Backes does those things.

Backes can't actually fight. He's not a fighter. That isn't his game.

 

[Chairman Maouth]

I can't speak for all of Blues fans but I don't disagree with you. I think Backes is a hothead idiot and I'm not a fan of that stuff you mentioned, which I have complained about on the Blues board before and is one of the reasons I'd like to see how the Blues perform with a more composed captain (Jaden Schwartz is the guy I want to be our next captain).

I think Blues fans are just trying to point out that Backes isn't a guy that runs around and throws dirty hits. He has a temper and tries to fight when things aren't going his way (against weak star players, yes) - which again I really could do without, but there is a distinct difference between the two. You probably already know this, just laying out my thoughts though. Backes definitely isn't innocent, not at all.

Yeah I know he doesn't throw a lot of dirty hits - I think I mentioned something to that effect in my first post. I was just pointing out why despite the fact he doesn't have a lengthy suspension record (if one at all) why he's not well liked, at least by a fair number of fans.

I maybe went a little over the top with my post, but I really don't like it when players start crap when the game is lost and they know it.

 

[ThirdManIn]

Backes can't actually fight. He's not a fighter. That isn't his game.

So maybe he should tone down some of the other stuff if he isn't the kind of player to back it up if challenged.

I get the whole "heat of the moment" thing, but after so many times the guy needs to be smarter. Also, didn't he go around trying to fight every Canadian player he could before the 2010 Olympics?

 

[Falco Lombardi]

So maybe he should tone down some of the other stuff if he isn't the kind of player to back it up if challenged.

I get the whole "heat of the moment" thing, but after so many times the guy needs to be smarter. Also, didn't he go around trying to fight every Canadian player he could before the 2010 Olympics?

He did and people complained that he fought Toews when Toews challenged him. Same with Perry and Nash. He's going to be out against the other teams top players every single time. If one of those guys challenges him and he responds, then people complain. It's dumb.

Totally agree that he needs to smarten up though. It was a dumb play yesterday and he needs to not let other players get under his skin so easily.

 

[Lord Helix]

He did and people complained that he fought Toews when Toews challenged him. Same with Perry and Nash.

He's going to be out against the other teams top players every single time. If one of those guys challenges him and he responds, then people complain. It's dumb.

Bingo. Why should a top line shutdown center fight someone much less important to their team than he is to the Blues? It'd be dumb hockey.

 

[ThirdManIn]

I only asked because you said he isn't a fighter, but apparently he feels like he is sometimes. At any rate, I just don't want to see him hurt anyone. As much as I hate the Blues, I respect them (including Backes).

 

[BlueDream]

Yeah I know he doesn't throw a lot of dirty hits - I think I mentioned something to that effect in my first post. I was just pointing out why despite the fact he doesn't have a lengthy suspension record (if one at all) why he's not well liked, at least by a fair number of fans.

I maybe went a little over the top with my post, but I really don't like it when players start crap when the game is lost and they know it.

And I can definitely see why he's probably the most hated Blues player now (Ott probably second). I'd probably dislike Backes if he wasn't on my team. He can be an absolutely awesome player to have obviously, but I definitely agree with what you're saying, that he just goes overboard sometimes. I guess I was pretty much agreeing with you in my other post instead of trying to explain anything.

Backes can't actually fight. He's not a fighter. That isn't his game.

I know he isn't, so then he shouldn't attack other non-fighters, it's just pointless.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

I know he isn't, so then he shouldn't attack other non-fighters, it's just pointless.

Sure but then if you want to be a non-fighter, then don't try and stir things up on the ice, especially if the guy you're trying to agitate is a hot head like David Backes.

You can't poke the bear with a stick and then get mad when he swings.

 

[Celtic Note]

I only asked because you said he isn't a fighter, but apparently he feels like he is sometimes. At any rate, I just don't want to see him hurt anyone. As much as I hate the Blues, I respect them (including Backes).

If by sometimes you mean 2.66 times per season, then there are a lot of guys who feel like fighters sometimes.

 

[Captain America*]

Penalty was OK would have been OK with a 2 also. Doesn't deserve anything more..

Smartest poster on here.

 

[BlueOil]

I only asked because you said he isn't a fighter, but apparently he feels like he is sometimes. At any rate, I just don't want to see him hurt anyone. As much as I hate the Blues, I respect them (including Backes).

He's not a good fighter, but Backes won't back down.

Watching him fight you just quickly understand, he's not a guy who should look to drop the gloves because he's probably not going to win. Fighting is not an art he's studied.

 

[Captain America*]

He's not a good fighter, but Backes won't back down.

Watching him fight you just quickly understand, he's not a guy who should look to drop the gloves because he's probably not going to win. Fighting is not an art he's studied.

Like Tkachuk

 

[Nynja*]

Not many of the West teams have the same level of fighting and dirty hits as those Philly/Pitt/Islanders games. East definitely has more entertaining gong-shows. (And no, that's not meant as a criticism just an observation)

You know, I've kinda wondered if this is the reason for the West's recent success. The East just seems to have more rivalries, not that the west dont have any, but if you drop most of the top rivalries, there seems to be a slight bias to the east?

 

[moog35]

Like Tkachuk

Not like Tkachuk at all, Keith was actually a pretty good fighter and took on some tough customers

 

[Captain America*]

Not like Tkachuk at all, Keith was actually a pretty good fighter and took on some tough customers

Like who?

 

[TheDizee]

everyone cries about how backes wont drop the gloves now, smh. hes one of the best 2 way players in the league and he knows hes more valuable on the ice than in the box. its why his PIM dropped significantly when he became captain. and fyi i am well aware he goes after players like the sedins or toews, its why i like him so much.

i mean look at all the crying over a player that has never once had disciplinary action, he gets under the skin of players and fans and thats what he and ott need to do to be at their best.

 

[BigBen]

Should be a game or two. Stupid play. It's funny hearing that it shouldn't have been a major.

 

[MoPucks]

Blues fan here - watching this play out live I thought maybe Backes was thinking his angle was going to change so it was more of a hit on the side, but Alzner never turned and Backes had already committed to the hit. Dumb play but I think it was just a bad split second decision in the middle of a physical game. I would be ok with a game or two suspension.

I don't think Backes is a dirty player but he plays physical and every now and then makes some bad decisions.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Saw the numbers the whole way. Intent to drive him right into the glass, should've been 1 or 2 games.

 

[Captain America*]

Saw the numbers the whole way. Intent to drive him right into the glass, should've been 1 or 2 games.

Glad the Big Q doesn't agree with you.

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

You can't poke the bear with a stick and then get mad when he swings.

Bingo.

 

[Dream Big]

Saw the numbers the whole way. Intent to drive him right into the glass, should've been 1 or 2 games.

Why was Backes not suspended? I've looked at the Letang hit by Rinaldo and Backes hit on Alzner.

Alzner was hurt on the play and needed 3 stitches. He did come back and played. Is this the reason?

I thought the NHL Department of Player Safety is supposed to protect the players against this type of thing. Whoever took over from Shanahan is a putz.

 

[Nynja*]

I have a long term problem with "5+game was sufficient, nothing further warranted". They're saying this hit was worth 1 game, except since he got 5+game and therefor no suspension, his record is still clean. Next time he does something worth a suspension, if he does something, they'll look at his record, and see "no previous history".

 

[taylord22]

Why was Backes not suspended? I've looked at the Letang hit by Rinaldo and Backes hit on Alzner.

Alzner was hurt on the play and needed 3 stitches. He did come back and played. Is this the reason?

I thought the NHL Department of Player Safety is supposed to protect the players against this type of thing. Whoever took over from Shanahan is a putz.

Completely different hits. For 1. Alzner turns. Letang is stationary. 2. Backes was body to body on Alzner extending from a previous sequence. He followed him into the boards. Alzner was aware of Backes.

Letang was not aware of Rinaldo. He came from outside the play and drove Letang into the boards -- extending his feet.

Backes just didn't slow down because he thought Alzner was going to cut back. His body language shows that he was anticipating that happening, but Alzner turns last second to, I think, let Backes pin him against the boards.

Backes does not go out of his way. Backes does not thrust. Rinaldo did both. Backes' crime was not slowing down, or considering the risk of Rinaldo not cutting back toward the puck.

Also, I'm pretty sure this play constitutes a warning, so Backes would be considered a repeat offender.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

Completely different hits. For 1. Alzner turns. Letang is stationary. 2. Backes was body to body on Alzner extending from a previous sequence. He followed him into the boards. Alzner was aware of Backes.

Letang was not aware of Rinaldo. He came from outside the play and drove Letang into the boards -- extending his feet.

Backes just didn't slow down because he thought Alzner was going to cut back. His body language shows that he was anticipating that happening, but Alzner turns last second to, I think, let Backes pin him against the boards.

Backes does not go out of his way. Backes does not thrust. Rinaldo did both. Backes' crime was not slowing down, or considering the risk of Rinaldo not cutting back toward the puck.

Also, I'm pretty sure this play constitutes a warning, so Backes would be considered a repeat offender.

Alzner didnt turn. His back was to Backes the whole time they both were skating to the boards. Backes saw numbers the whole way in, wtf were you watching?