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Wing or Center? The David Backes Question.

August 27, 2013, 3:04 PM ET [20 Comments]
Jeff Quirin
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At 6-foot-3, 220+ lbs and known for an overly physical style of play it’s easy to see why David Backes is one of the most well known hitters in the NHL and a prototypical power forward. Proficiency in defending his own goal coupled with his above average offensive production has already, and will likely continue to, lead to Selke consideration.

Being known for both shouldn’t be mutually exclusive, but seem to be. Intense forwards who like to use their body to grind on the opposition more often play on the wing rather than in the middle. Conversely, those who excel at both ends of the ice, and are subsequently recognized for it in terms of post season hardware, predominantly play center, not wing.

Thus, the conundrum faced by both the St. Louis Blues and the US Olympic team.

Where should Inglorious Backes play?

The answer comes down to what the respective coaching staff wants from him.

In St. Louis there appears to be little room for debate at this point. At least from their perspective. Over the last handful of seasons, going back at least to 2008-09, Backes has been primarily used as the Blues’ top center. Under the last three bench bosses (Murray, Payne, Hitchcock), he has excelled in the role with increasing potency. Going from a combined Minus-18 in 07-08 through 09-10 to a Plus-52 in 10-11 through 12-13 while scoring 61 goals exactly in each timeframe. Hard to argue against playing him there when he’s been so successful in all aspects of the game.

That said, there are some that would and do.

Though Backes has been a consistent scorer from the basis described above, he has not been from the year over year angle. Fluctuating from 13 to 31 to 17 to 31 to 24 to 6 in 48 games. In his six full seasons the Blues have not been known as a particularly potent offensive club. Could this be because one of their best players, and probably their top forward, is in a role that limits his scoring opportunities? From a conceptual perspective centermen cover the ice from end to end and have far more in depth defensive responsibilities than their linemates. Perhaps moving him back to his natural wing position will create more chances for him to score. Scoring problems solved.

From the comfy armchair in the ivory tower that’s an easy call to make. But the team constructed by GM Doug Armstrong is not built around maximizing Backes on the wing. It’s a lineup made to use him in the middle. An “any situation” plug to hold back the opposition’s top scorers and capitalize on whatever opportunities can be created.

Bagging 30+ goals and 60-70 points a season is a requirement for team success. Doing everything asked of him is.

Hence the moves made by Armstrong during his tenure.

Young guns Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko should continue to develop in to top line options that can play at Backes’s level in their own end and finish more chances than Brad Boyes could. Chris Stewart was added to take some of the big man presence weight off the captain’s shoulders. Alex Steen was retained on a lucrative deal to be another do anything option. Ditto for TJ Oshie.

A smattering of players to complement.

Whether or not he is the right player to build around in such a manner is another question for another post.

For the US Olympic team the answer is not so clear.

A top forward for Dan Bylsma’s squad Backes will not be. Much like he was in 2010 the Minnesota native projects to be a third or fourth line energy option who may pitch in the odd goal here or there. The heavy lifting will be done, or is expected to be done, by Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, and centers Ryan Kesler and Paul Stastny. Looking up and down the orientation camp invite list Backes would appear to be third on the center list behind Stastny. Maybe even second behind Kesler. A strong season to date from Alex Galchenyuk or Derek Stepan could have them pushing up the chart. On the wing there isn’t much competition after Kane, Parise, Phil Kessel, and Bobby Ryan. Could Backes slide up to right wing with Stastny and Ryan or some other combination of skilled centers and left wingers? Certainly a possibility.

The decision likely comes down to chemistry and injuries. If someone like Kessler, Ryan , or Kesler is unable to make the trip to Sochi then Backes definitely moves up the list.
From the conceptual side of things, Backes big body and skating ability combined with a physical edge sounds good barreling down the wing. However, on the larger international surface his wing span and responsible play may come in handy at center to help contain explosive foreign counterparts whose skill will kill with so much room.

My guess, Bylsma puts him in the middle with two of three: Max Pacioretty, Dustin Brown, or Ryan Callahan. Certainly Team Canada Head Coach Mike Babcock would love to see that. One assistant, Ken Hitchcock, knows a lot about what Backes can, and can't, do from there.

Where would you put Backes if you were the Blues or the US Olympic team?

Thanks for reading!
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