ill agree it was to the head but if Backes doesnt miss the puck its a clean hit on a guy puck protecting along the boards. While it ended up being very dirty and vicious, even St. Louis fans cannot dispute the fact of ANY non pure goon in the NHL, Backes had it coming more than anyone. Trying to fight Mackinnon, I mean really?? not to mention taking runs at star players EVERY game. If he would just pick his shots a bit more he would have the respect of the rest of the league. but he doesnt. so, what goes around comes around.
- EnzoD

backs flies off the handle at times yes. he is a very solid player that for the MOST part plays a clean physical game. he is no dustin brown. he hits hard and will occasionally fight. most hits are very clean. I don't think he had it coming at all. while I missed a few games in the last few years a rarely see backs intentionally go after someone, I must have missed the game where he went after mackinnon. 4 years ago fighting toews and everyone else that was going to the Olympic I think he was trying to send a message.

everyone made such a commotion about what was said on the ice. anyone that plays hockey or has, knows that things are said on the ice. bad hit but in the end I don't think seabrook is a dirty player, he took advantage of someone off balance. he meant to hit high and hard but unfortunately it hit the head. removed from the series and time to calm down I really do respect the hawks and hate them at the same time

backs flies off the handle at times yes. he is a very solid player that for the MOST part plays a clean physical game. he is no dustin brown. he hits hard and will occasionally fight. most hits are very clean. I don't think he had it coming at all. while I missed a few games in the last few years a rarely see backs intentionally go after someone, I must have missed the game where he went after mackinnon. 4 years ago fighting toews and everyone else that was going to the Olympic I think he was trying to send a message.

everyone made such a commotion about what was said on the ice. anyone that plays hockey or has, knows that things are said on the ice. bad hit but in the end I don't think seabrook is a dirty player, he took advantage of someone off balance. he meant to hit high and hard but unfortunately it hit the head. removed from the series and time to calm down I really do respect the hawks and hate them at the same time
- BluesDroogie

well said. I truly think it wouldnt have been a bad hit if backes hadnt missed the puck and then lowered his head to turn and look back for it. the game is milisecond reactions and seabrook had already intended to put a shoulder into him. sure his skates may have BARELY gotten off teh ice but if you watch a game 40-50% of players leave their feet to make hits. i didnt like seeing Backes go down bc it was a huge turning point in the series, but he has his Dustin Brown-esque moments. Much better player than Brown but he does run around, ESPECIALLY against the Hawks.

well said. I truly think it wouldnt have been a bad hit if backes hadnt missed the puck and then lowered his head to turn and look back for it. the game is milisecond reactions and seabrook had already intended to put a shoulder into him. sure his skates may have BARELY gotten off teh ice but if you watch a game 40-50% of players leave their feet to make hits. i didnt like seeing Backes go down bc it was a huge turning point in the series, but he has his Dustin Brown-esque moments. Much better player than Brown but he does run around, ESPECIALLY against the Hawks.
- EnzoD

I see a lot of whining about Backes from Hawks fans, but the simple fact is, David Backes consistently toes the line. He pushes the envelope, but knows there is a limit. Seabrook doesn't push the envelope as much, but when he does, he doesn't stop himself where Backes knows to. Only one of the two players is the sort that has earned a suspension for being too dirty, and it's not Backes.

well said. I truly think it wouldnt have been a bad hit if backes hadnt missed the puck and then lowered his head to turn and look back for it. the game is milisecond reactions and seabrook had already intended to put a shoulder into him. sure his skates may have BARELY gotten off teh ice but if you watch a game 40-50% of players leave their feet to make hits. i didnt like seeing Backes go down bc it was a huge turning point in the series, but he has his Dustin Brown-esque moments. Much better player than Brown but he does run around, ESPECIALLY against the Hawks.
- EnzoD

if backes does not run around against the hawks then he is not doing his job. he hits clean and hard. he has never been suspended for his hits which he lead the team in hits for years. that has to say something ESPECIALLY when shanny was ruling. shanahan hates st Louis. it is obvious with the hits that our players have received and no suspensions. Dustin brown going after Schwartz's head in the playoffs with an elbow, just to mention one instance.

hawks are good blues are good. Backes is NOT dirty. cant wait till October!!!

if backes does not run around against the hawks then he is not doing his job. he hits clean and hard. he has never been suspended for his hits which he lead the team in hits for years. that has to say something ESPECIALLY when shanny was ruling. shanahan hates st Louis. it is obvious with the hits that our players have received and no suspensions. Dustin brown going after Schwartz's head in the playoffs with an elbow, just to mention one instance.

hawks are good blues are good. Backes is NOT dirty. cant wait till October!!!
- BluesDroogie

agree that his job is to be physical. but he goes beyond physicality and delves into goon territory more often than not...


https://www.youtube.com/w...er_embedded&v=AfiEQV7NK18

https://www.youtube.com/w...er_embedded&v=24r8EzgDPcA

https://www.youtube.com/w...er_embedded&v=GKpGy0NlNNE

picking on an 18 year old
http://youtu.be/cJPWSWttVGI

need i say more?

agree that his job is to be physical. but he goes beyond physicality and delves into goon territory more often than not...


https://www.youtube.com/w...er_embedded&v=AfiEQV7NK18

https://www.youtube.com/w...er_embedded&v=24r8EzgDPcA

https://www.youtube.com/w...er_embedded&v=GKpGy0NlNNE

picking on an 18 year old
http://youtu.be/cJPWSWttVGI

need i say more?
- EnzoD

against mackinnon was in retaliation

the knee on knee is wrong
that is the ONLY TIME that has happened

Backes is a clean player for the most part. Its hockey and some dirty things are thrown in.

You should know this being a Hawks fan that had Chelios, Roenick, Manson, Belfour, do you remember the early 90's. its hockey. just plain and simple. its hockey

These guys kill me. It all stems from them being jealous that they dont have a real power forward of their own. The closest thing they have is Bickell and he's not half the player Backes is.

agree that his job is to be physical. but he goes beyond physicality and delves into goon territory more often than not...
- EnzoD

This statement is more true of Seabrook than Backes. Again, which has been enough of a goon to earn a suspension?

Backes consistently toes the line. Seabrook isn't physical as often, but when he is, he crosses the line.

top 6?

oshie stastny backes
Schwartz lehtera tarasenko
Berglund lindstrom steen
lappy ott reaves

I think we now have 3 legitimate scoring lines that could cause damage

the Swedish connection on the 3rd line. when a team has steen penciled in on the 3rd line that means they have depth. and players that might crack the lineup that on a lower team would be a 2 line player possibly
- BluesDroogie

I still want to see Mueller crack the line up for you guys, I think he would be solid on he 4th line. Stastny/Oshie should be a fun combo to watch.

This statement is more true of Seabrook than Backes. Again, which has been enough of a goon to earn a suspension?

Backes consistently toes the line. Seabrook isn't physical as often, but when he is, he crosses the line.
- Antilles

This is decidedly untrue. Seabrook is known for making clean hits and playing generally within the rules. I've only seen him fight a handful of times in 10 years and he takes very few penalties (outside of the "good" defensive variety). He made one bad decision with a very bad result. That does not make him a dirty player.

another season with more ups than downs? talking about the regular season? Not the playoffs obviously. lots of depth for the lineup, the only cause for concern is if they play Gunnarrson with shatty or petro on the 1st, it leaves the 3rd pairing weak between jackman, leopold, cole, or butler.
- BluesDroogie

the fact is, there was a lot to be optimistic about for the first 84ish games last season. unfortunately the sting of the final 4 tends to persist.

I still want to see Mueller crack the line up for you guys, I think he would be solid on he 4th line. Stastny/Oshie should be a fun combo to watch.
- DDM-Coga

Mueller definitely has some upside over some of the guys in the bottom six. Personally I'd rather see him than Pajaarvi.

Mueller definitely has some upside over some of the guys in the bottom six. Personally I'd rather see him than Pajaarvi.
- fattyboubatty

OH right I forgot about Maggie too, defiantly will not have a forward depth issue this season. Plus with Jaskin and Rattie in the mix, lots of opportunity to add later to the D on in the season via a forward trades and still have the depth.

the fact is, there was a lot to be optimistic about for the first 84ish games last season. unfortunately the sting of the final 4 tends to persist.
- Blue Clam

did I word that correctly, I was saying we sucked in the playoffs and the regular season we were great until the last 10 games or so. the 6 game losing streak screwed us up along with all of the injuries

did I word that correctly, I was saying we sucked in the playoffs and the regular season we were great until the last 10 games or so. the 6 game losing streak screwed us up along with all of the injuries
- BluesDroogie

you did.. i was saying at least they were good in the regular season, which is a long stretch to be optimistic about the team.

I think I found the link


http://www.icethetics.co/...-st-louis-blues-this-fall
- BluesDroogie

Looks more like a hockey sweater and not the Reebok crap.

Looks more like a hockey sweater and not the Reebok crap.
- scottak

I don't really think this is the final version, personally. I think it will be close to this in terms of going back to a more traditional look but this version is basically the pre-Reebok redux.

I think if I were the Blues' marketing department, however, that I would "leak" a version of what my people were contemplating in order to gauge fan excitement and then make any necessary changes based on the kind of feedback was put out there.