David Backes
- Thread starter stlweir
- Start date
JustOneB4IDie
Duel Cancer Survivor
Without a doubt, Backes has had a off year and his lack of goals is disturbing to me. I think he's banged up and playing hurt myself.
Whether he puts points up or not, I really don't worry about it. The intangibles that he brings to the table shutting down his opposition, banging the other team's defense, etc., I'm pleased. Still right up there point wise with our finesse guys.
I couldn't dissagree more. Yes Backes does all those things but on a Blues team that is struggling scoring goals the Blues cant afford to have Backes, a one time 30 goal scorer contributing next to nothing in the goal scoring department.
Get your point. Just Backes role this year seems different than in years past. Hopefully, it is just one of his notoriously slow starts.
Falco Lombardi
Registered User
First some facts:
1. Blues have scored the 8th most goals in the NHL and are also 8th in GPG.
2. He's also I believe tied for the team lead in assists or 1 off the lead.
3. Blues have scored 2 goals or more in every game in March with the exception of one and are averaging just under 3 goals a game for the season.
4. David Backes is my all time favorite Blue, so I'm biased.
I feel like because he was the top point scorer on the team for the past couple seasons, people are expecting him to be that again. He's performing at about his normal rate scoring wise, maybe down a little goal wise, but up assist wise as he is on pace for 54 points.
He's a 50-60 point center that plays excellent defensively and shuts down the other team's top line. He's not the ideal #1 center and we all say we know that, but then we complain when he doesn't score like one?
This will sound like a copout, but I think he's been the most unlucky shooter on the team this year. There have been 4 or 5 times he's hit crossbar/pipe and it hasn't bounced his way, but ultimately I don't think it really matters because his defensive contributions are always going to be more important than his offensive contributions on this team and that's ok when you have guys like Stewart, Perron, McDonald, Tarasenko, etc.
1. Blues have scored the 8th most goals in the NHL and are also 8th in GPG.
2. He's also I believe tied for the team lead in assists or 1 off the lead.
3. Blues have scored 2 goals or more in every game in March with the exception of one and are averaging just under 3 goals a game for the season.
4. David Backes is my all time favorite Blue, so I'm biased.
I feel like because he was the top point scorer on the team for the past couple seasons, people are expecting him to be that again. He's performing at about his normal rate scoring wise, maybe down a little goal wise, but up assist wise as he is on pace for 54 points.
He's a 50-60 point center that plays excellent defensively and shuts down the other team's top line. He's not the ideal #1 center and we all say we know that, but then we complain when he doesn't score like one?
This will sound like a copout, but I think he's been the most unlucky shooter on the team this year. There have been 4 or 5 times he's hit crossbar/pipe and it hasn't bounced his way, but ultimately I don't think it really matters because his defensive contributions are always going to be more important than his offensive contributions on this team and that's ok when you have guys like Stewart, Perron, McDonald, Tarasenko, etc.
HockeyGuy73
Registered User
I will add he is traditionally a slow starter, so maybe he will find that extra gear in the second season, assuming we make it to the second season.
Backes has been a bit disappointing this year, but I still love the guy. I think being a part of the CBA Shenanigans instead of getting into a game ready mindset hurt him. Plus I think he's playing banged up all year.
I expect him to rebound nicely next year.
I expect him to rebound nicely next year.
trevorftw
Voice of Reason
Backes reminds me a lot of Dustin Brown's performance last year. He was having what seemed like a down year, then he had a nice hat trick later in the season, and never looked back.
I hope that happens with Backes.
I hope that happens with Backes.
DatDude44
Hmmmm?
- Feb 23, 2012
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I think it's pretty clear he doesn't have the skill to play on our top line. I personally feel that berglund has become the better shutdown centermen this year and in the playoffs. Still love the guy just think he's been given to big of a role. I do expect him to be one of our top scorers in the playoffs this year (thinkin he gets hot by the end of the year), hope stewart can give him some tips on how to screen the goalies and bang in rebounds a little more effectively tho.
izzy
go
Lord Helix
Registered User
- Nov 12, 2010
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I understand why a lot of fans are blaming it on his tendency to start slow, but it's more than that, imo. It's been 30 games, over half of this season and nearing half of a regular 82 game season. It's not just a slow start anymore. I can't imagine that he's not playing injured. I don't think he's been bad defensively (although I thought he had a really bad defensive game against Vancouver) but he hasn't been stellar, either. I know he's probably the last player to want to sit out when he feels he can play, but if he is injured, I'd rather him sit out 1-2 games IF it would help him get healthier. Maybe it's an issue that isn't pressing that needs to be addressed in the offseason.
2 Minute Minor
Hi Keeba!
I see it the same way, including the Vancouver game. I was thinking he should get a 'maintenance day', but then the Blues have had a lighter schedule with some days off despite the road trip. Maybe that will be enough to let him rest up. I won't be surprised if we don't find out after the season that he needs shoulder surgery or something that was hampering him but that he could play through. The Blues have enough effective wingers now and effective lines (when healthy) that he doesn't HAVE to shoulder so much of the scoring load. But I still want his line to be a dangerous threat. I really loved that move of putting Stewart up there.
Vladys Gumption
Colt55
Thanks for the correction. Now 1 even strength goal in 33 games. Jackman and Redden have more even strength goals this year than Backes. Reaves and Porter have the same. Not saying trade or bench him but for this team to be successful he has to be far mpre productive.
AMac has struggled as well. Only 3 goals in 23 games.
Dissapointments so far - Backes, AMac & and to a lesser degree Pie (getting caught too often piching in)
- Elliott to a lesser degree Halak
Surprises - Sobotka (who knew)
- Stewart playing the way we hoped
- Jackman healthy and is providing a bit of offense +5
- Allen to the rescue
AMac has struggled as well. Only 3 goals in 23 games.
Dissapointments so far - Backes, AMac & and to a lesser degree Pie (getting caught too often piching in)
- Elliott to a lesser degree Halak
Surprises - Sobotka (who knew)
- Stewart playing the way we hoped
- Jackman healthy and is providing a bit of offense +5
- Allen to the rescue
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His shooting percentage is 4.2% which is about a third of his career average going into the year. That suggests that bad luck is involved. Still, even with some bad luck mixed in, he has to find a way to score more than 3 goals with the playing time and linemates he has.
542365
2018-19 Cup Champs!
- Mar 22, 2012
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I've been in Backes's corner the entire season, thinking he was just off to a slow start, and would have a week with like 5 goals in 4 games and everything would be back to normal. It's not a lack of scoring chances, he's had PLENTY of them. He's gotten robbed a couple of times, but it's mostly hanging onto the puck too long, getting the puck stripped, or missing the net badly. His shot has become a shinguard seeking missile. His shot still has the velocity, it's just not getting through. If we're going to get in the playoffs, we're going to need Backes and Andy to step it up big time. Andy at both ends of the ice. He found a way to be a -4 last game. If you're not providing offense, and not playing defense, why are you in the lineup? I love Andy Mac, but he has done absolutely nothing this season. Even when Backes isn't scoring goals, we can still count on him to play good defense(with the exception of the Vancouver game. His head was on another planet that night). Mac is providing nothing that Cracknell and Porter can't provide.
