Jeff Quirin: Wing or Center? The David Backes Question. Where should St. Louis Blues captain and US Olympic team hopeful David Backes play, wing or center?

As a winger with Stastny so you guys can get excited about them as a line pairing, trade for him at the deadline, and then sign him to an extension to reunite him with Stewart and live happily ever after.

Wing or Center? How about Backes on the receiving end of a Brandon Bollig punch?

As a winger with Stastny so you guys can get excited about them as a line pairing, trade for him at the deadline, and then sign him to an extension to reunite him with Stewart and live happily ever after.
- DDM-Coga

Backes will be Backes.

I could care less. I'm more scared/jealous of Tarasenko, love his skill development and fluency on the ice.

Wing or Center? How about Backes on the receiving end of a Brandon Bollig punch?
- EKolb13

Where is the "scared out of my mind" emoticon? I really need one for this comment.

I understand why Hitch wants Backes to play center. But I like him more on the wing. I think he will produce much more there but I know that Hitch will likely keep him at center and his offensive numbers (goals) will likely be lower than if he were at wing.

Defense first is our motto, and I am ok with that. But I like Backes better at wing.

Wing or Center? How about Backes on the receiving end of a Brandon Bollig punch?
- EKolb13

then Reaves comes on ice and ends Bollig's career!

Wing or Center? How about Backes on the receiving end of a Brandon Bollig punch?
- EKolb13

Olympic trial run again this year?

Jeff Quirin: Wing or Center? The David Backes Question.
Where should St. Louis Blues captain and US Olympic team hopeful David Backes play, wing or center?
- Jeff Quirin

BLUES have a top 5 defense in the NHL! we need goals not defense put Backes on wing and let him really play his game and the BLUES will reap the rewards.

then Reaves comes on ice and ends Bollig's career!
- bird diggler

I've always enjoyed a good Bollig/Reaves tilt.

Honestly, Backes really pisses me off. I wish the Hawks had him.

I've always enjoyed a good Bollig/Reaves tilt.

Honestly, Backes really pisses me off. I wish the Hawks had him.
- EKolb13

ditto on Towes.

- carcus

just be gentle with us this time, I am still recovering from the last time we traded with you guys

just be gentle with us this time, I am still recovering from the last time we traded with you guys
- DDM-Coga

Honestly I think we'll drop Roy this summer and sign Stastny as a free agent for $4-5 mill over 5 years He pretty much grew up here so he definitely has the history.

just be gentle with us this time, I am still recovering from the last time we traded with you guys
- DDM-Coga

Ok, this time we will just take one player that is better, instead of two.

Honestly I think we'll drop Roy this summer and sign Stastny as a free agent for $4-5 mill over 5 years He pretty much grew up here so he definitely has the history.
- cuethenoise

Honestly, I hope we go after O'reilly instead of Statsny. Colorado would have to offer him 6.5 million per year to keep his rights, which I can't picture them doing. So if he wants out next summer, he could be a UFA.

Honestly I think we'll drop Roy this summer and sign Stastny as a free agent for $4-5 mill over 5 years He pretty much grew up here so he definitely has the history.
- cuethenoise

I am almost certain he will be a St. Louis Blue as well, only way that doesnt happen is if management talks him into being a 3rd line center and we trade O'Reilly instead.

But Stastny is still a talented center, put him wtih the right wingers and in the right system, he produces points...like every time he plays for team USA.
He is still a second line/first line platoon center on most teams.

I would like to see him on the Blues, but I would rather you guys trade for him at the deadline so we get something back

Honestly, I hope we go after O'reilly instead of Statsny. Colorado would have to offer him 6.5 million per year to keep his rights, which I can't picture them doing. So if he wants out next summer, he could be a UFA.
- Antilles

I think O'Reilly is gone only if the Avs are offered a deal for a top 4 dman that they Avs cant refuse. They will qualify him, and the 6.5 deal is still work able based on contract structure, we can get it back down money wise as long as the 1st year and last year of the contract are not more than 50% in difference and if the year to year does not exceed 30%

6 year contract, 30m (6.5,5.5,5,5,4.5.4.5) Just giving the numbers as a random example at how they can work around such a thing if O'Reilly wants to take average money over a long term deal to be more beneficial to the Avs....probably wont but who knows

I think thats how it works from my understandable but I could totally be wrong as well.

I think O'Reilly is gone only if the Avs are offered a deal for a top 4 dman that they Avs cant refuse. They will qualify him, and the 6.5 deal is still work able based on contract structure, we can get it back down money wise as long as the 1st year and last year of the contract are not more than 50% in difference and if the year to year does not exceed 30%

6 year contract, 30m (6.5,5.5,5,5,4.5.4.5) Just giving the numbers as a random example at how they can work around such a thing if O'Reilly wants to take average money over a long term deal to be more beneficial to the Avs....probably wont but who knows

I think thats how it works from my understandable but I could totally be wrong as well.
- DDM-Coga

I'm fairly certain, though could be wrong, that qualifying offers are just a salary. The player determines the length of the deal as one or two years if he accepts. No lowering the cap hit as suggested here. I think the almost guaranteed early UFA status is part of why O'Reilly signed in Calgary.

Obviously, O'Reilly could agree to deal you suggested, but if he didn't it wouldn't make him a RFA.

I'm fairly certain, though could be wrong, that qualifying offers are just a salary. The player determines the length of the deal as one or two years if he accepts. No lowering the cap hit as suggested here. I think the almost guaranteed early UFA status is part of why O'Reilly signed in Calgary.

Obviously, O'Reilly could agree to deal you suggested, but if he didn't it wouldn't make him a RFA.
- Antilles

yeah I am not sure how it works, just based on his RFA rights and the salary being 6.5m this season, that his next contract regardless has to match it, the long term UFA contract or the 2 year qualifier one, thats how I always understood it.

I'd rather see Backes back on the Wing myself, however the Blues have for years at the draft table ignored the Center position and of course the cupboard is bare at the Center position so it's not going to happen.

On the never ending belief that Paul Stastny will be traded to the Blues isn't going to happen- for one, The AV's and Blues are now division rivals now?



And why would the Blues send prospects/picks/players for Stastny who can be signed for nothing as a UFA next summer?