One Year Ago...remembering Game 7 in Boston

[Novacain]

Really puts Backes into perspective. Here he was, our captain for years, and although we were good, we were never able to take that next step. Put him on a perennial contender powerhouse (I guess you could argue we are/were too since 2012), and he's on the 4th line or a scratch.

This is a bad way of thinking about it. Backes makes tenure in Boston was basically the exact scenario that made the Blues not match the contract offer out of worry: He was big, not quick, physical force, and the track record of players like that succeeding into there 30’s is very very small. Backes was 32 when he signed with. Boston, was a productive but clearly over paid player in his first 2 years before the injuries just ate him alive. By 18-19 he was in his age 34 season and his body just wouldn’t let him be better then a 4th line talent anymore.

Its a tail as old as time, regarding power forwards in the NHL. Hell, Backes decline took a hell of a lot longer then Lucic, for instance.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

Really puts Backes into perspective. Here he was, our captain for years, and although we were good, we were never able to take that next step. Put him on a perennial contender powerhouse (I guess you could argue we are/were too since 2012), and he's on the 4th line or a scratch.

He was a solid 3rd liner in that first year of his deal, then had diverticulitis at the start of the 2nd year. Add that to more concussions and his play just completely fell off a cliff.

I think he wasn’t displaced by a forward, but that the Bruins went with 7 defenders after Chara’s injury, the last 2 games. I don’t think it was an issue of their options for line combos. However, he had had healthy scratches at times during the year. I actually thought Backes’ play was a bright spot for Boston, in his limited minutes. It had to gut him to get scratched for the most important games of his career, let alone to watch his team lose. But I’m sure he was happy for his friends on the Blues afterward.

There is a contingent of fans that seem to hold a grudge against Backes over signing with Boston. I don’t think he rejected the Blues as much as Armstrong deliberately went another way (and it was the right decision). He was offering Backes contract options that he knew weren’t competitive with the other offers out there.

I don’t see any fault to assign to anyone in that scenario. But when I read comments that question Backes’ sportsmanship, I feel like there must be more to the story and I’ve missed something. That, or the legend of Backes’ departure has left off being grounded in facts.

Chara got injured in game 4, Boston only played 7D in game 5, they went back to 6D for games 6 and 7. Karson Kuhlman was tapped in rather than Backes for those 2 games. I'd wager they we're looking to just get a different look on Krecji's line as he had done nothing in games 1-5.

That said, I think a good chunk of the grudge against him stems from the lack of a public congratulations to his old team. He certainly wasn't required to do so, especially given how emotional it probably was to have been scratched for 3 of the biggest games in his career in addition to his team having lost a winner take all game. And people love to extrapolate small "slights" as big flaws for people.

 

[SaintLouHaintBlue]

He was a solid 3rd liner in that first year of his deal, then had diverticulitis at the start of the 2nd year. Add that to more concussions and his play just completely fell off a cliff.


Chara got injured in game 4, Boston only played 7D in game 5, they went back to 6D for games 6 and 7. Karson Kuhlman was tapped in rather than Backes for those 2 games. I'd wager they we're looking to just get a different look on Krecji's line as he had done nothing in games 1-5.

That said, I think a good chunk of the grudge against him stems from the lack of a public congratulations to his old team. He certainly wasn't required to do so, especially given how emotional it probably was to have been scratched for 3 of the biggest games in his career in addition to his team having lost a winner take all game. And people love to extrapolate small "slights" as big flaws for people.

My perception is not that there is some sort of "big flaw", though. At least in my mind, it's more related to just trying to connect the dots between hoping for as much of a feel good moment as there could be, the energy invested into hoping that he would be the first captain to hoist the cup, and the coming to terms with the fact that the reason that he's no longer a Blue is just mostly business, a timely decision go in a different direction.

 

[SaintLouHaintBlue]

And at the end of the day, it's not like he has to go out of his way to congratulate the Blues just to satisfy my experience as a fan. But he was the captain and he did battle hard as the captain, I guess I was hoping to see something different than Backes in the pressbox followed by... nothing...

 

[joe galiba]

did he congratulate his former teammates privately?
i would suspect that he contacted them himself, at least the ones he had personal relationships with
does it require a public statement to count?

 

[SaintLouHaintBlue]

did he congratulate his former teammates privately?
i would suspect that he contacted them himself, at least the ones he had personal relationships with
does it require a public statement to count?

If he went out of his way to issue some sort of public congratulatory statement... that would be kind of weird.

 

[BlueDream]

The dude gave his body to the organization, and misses out on the stand-out moment in the org's history. Granted he took the money, but that can't take away how horrible that series must have been for him.

I have no doubt that Backes gave his congratulations in private. Wasn't Backes even a member of Pie's wedding party?

I just don't understand the lack of empathy towards a dude who sacrificed his body, and mind, for the Blue Note.

I still don’t care.

He left the organization. He valued money over winning (when he signed with Boston many thought their Cup window was closed. He did not go there to win).

And I understand why he went after the money. But nah, I’m too happy about our win to feel any empathy for someone that missed out on it. He had a chance to stay here and he did not. That is his own fault, and we are better without him. So for that I’m thankful for his decision.

 

[BlueOil]

i can't get on board with feeling bad for backes. i can respect his blue collar ethic and the time he spent with the team, but he'd spent three seasons with boston before the blues met the bruins in the finals. it's not like it was the year after and he just missed it/could've been on the team for it. he was old news for both teams before the tilt even started and in the press box because of it.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I still don’t care.

He left the organization. He valued money over winning (when he signed with Boston many thought their Cup window was closed. He did not go there to win).

And I understand why he went after the money. But nah, I’m too happy about our win to feel any empathy for someone that missed out on it. He had a chance to stay here and he did not. That is his own fault, and we are better without him. So for that I’m thankful for his decision.

I don’t care whether people retain fondness for Backes like I do, but the notion that he went to Boston for money regardless of their prospects for a Cup is ridiculous. It’s self-evident that they have been a contender during his time there. They’d had recent success then and had not lost their prime age core from that. I think it’s arguable that the Bruins had a better forecast or at least comparable forecast to the Blues then. You’re talking about the season that Armstrong said, “We may take a step back before taking a step forward.” It would have been understandable if Backes thought his best chance with the Blues had already passed. Frankly, I’ve read quotes from Blues management to the effect that this team that won the Cup wasn’t the Blues best team of the past decade, so there is some merit to that opinion.

I think the word you were looking for is sympathy. I would hope you would feel empathy at all times, even if you’re not sympathetic. Otherwise it makes you sound like a sociopath.

I guess for me I come at it wondering if we’ll see any pregame ceremonies where former players are honored that bring Backes back to St Louis. I remember the former Captains event of recent years where they had many of the living former Captains on the ice together. Will Backes have ties with the team in retirement? To me it’s strange to imagine he wouldn’t, but I wonder at the relationships.

 

[SaintLouHaintBlue]

I guess for me I come at it wondering if we’ll see any pregame ceremonies where former players are honored that bring Backes back to St Louis. I remember the former Captains event of recent years where they had many of the living former Captains on the ice together. Will Backes have ties with the team in retirement? To me it’s strange to imagine he wouldn’t, but I wonder at the relationships.

This kind of seems like something that would close the loop.
I am kind of reminded of a game in Pittsburgh - where Fleury was given a standing ovation in his first game back in Pittsburgh (as a Golden Knight).

 

[Brockon]

This kind of seems like something that would close the loop.
I am kind of reminded of a game in Pittsburgh - where Fleury was given a standing ovation in his first game back in Pittsburgh (as a Golden Knight).

I don't think the two situations are remotely comparable...

Fleury got his acknowledgement upon his FIRST game back in Pittsburgh.

Boston and presumably Backes have been back for 4 regular season games and 3 playoff games in St Louis now (he may not have dressed for all 7 games, and I can't recall if his bout with diverculitis cause his to miss any of these). But I'd imagine his first game back in 2016-17 included some form of welcome back ceremony, though I can't recall.

For Backes to return with some form of ceremony acknowledging his former captaincy, it won't be the same. He'll have played 5 seasons elsewhere and be the guy that chose Free Agency over staying with his team.

Fleury waived his NMC for the benefit of the team, allowing himself to be exposed in the Vegas expansion - he did so, ostensibly placing the Pens ahead of his own comfort, putting the team in Matt Murray's capable hands (or at least perceived capable hands).
Those two situations are pretty far removed from each other. Fleury continues to be loved in Pittsburgh and will remain a big part of their history, bringing home 3 cups.

 

[Brockon]

Hey, not sure where to post this - given our utter lack of recent GDTs... Has anyone seen or heard from @Bendak recently?

I know he didn't post super frequently outside of the GDTs, but I also see he was last active on March 8, 2020. And it's a crazy world out there...

Wellness check buddy! How are you holding up through the current times?

 

[Bendak]

Hey, not sure where to post this - given our utter lack of recent GDTs... Has anyone seen or heard from @Bendak recently?

I know he didn't post super frequently outside of the GDTs, but I also see he was last active on March 8, 2020. And it's a crazy world out there...

Wellness check buddy! How are you holding up through the current times?

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

 

[DeuceNine]

I still don’t care.

He left the organization. He valued money over winning (when he signed with Boston many thought their Cup window was closed. He did not go there to win).

And I understand why he went after the money. But nah, I’m too happy about our win to feel any empathy for someone that missed out on it. He had a chance to stay here and he did not. That is his own fault, and we are better without him. So for that I’m thankful for his decision.

I don't think we win with him, so yes, his decision really was a win/win.

 

[fishsandwichpatrol]

I don't feel bad about Backes missing it. He made a choice. I don't dislike him for it, at the end of the day it's his life and he didn't screw over the team by taking it. But that choice has consequences.