Weighing in on Blues – Canucks Rumors

Is it just me, or is it that Canucks media is making it seem that David Backes will ultimately end up in Vancouver?

Canucks GM Mike Gillis attempted to sign Blues forward and restricted free-agent David Backes to an offer sheet worth $7.5 million over three years.  With Backes as a fan-favorite and a valuable asset to the Blues' rebuilding phase, St. Louis GM Larry Pleau had no choice but to match the offer and reclaim his player. 

But now the rumor mill is filled with Backes going to Vancouver yet again.  It was reported by The Globe and Mail that the Vancouver GM was spotted at the Bell Centre last Wednesday in a game that featured the St. Louis Blues and the Montreal Canadiens.  What exactly would draw him to that game?

Backes will earn another $2.5 million next season.  The 25-year old scored a career-high 31 goals in the first year of his new contract, but has trailed off since that time.  After scoring one goal in the Canucks' four-game sweep of the Blues in the post-season, Backes has added just ten goals in 2009-10.  His production has slipped, but still has tremendous respect from around the league.  Former Blues head coach Andy Murray once said that David gives the Blues “a triple threat down low in the corners and in front of the net – a big body that can pass, score goals and be a presence down low.”

Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown has even sung Backes' praises. 

“When I look at David Backes, I see kind of a mirror of my career," he said last season. "You try to make an impact any way you can. We both started out by trying to impact a game with our size and our hits. In the process, you open up ice for yourself and your teammates.”

Its a no-brainer that Vancouver wants the power forward.  With Henrik Sedin as the top center on the roster and Ryan Kessler as the number two man, its obvious that head coach Alain Vigneault wants someone who could round out the third line or even challenge Kessler for the second line.  Recently off the injury reserve is Pavol Demitra, who has seen much time at center with various teams, but was vocal when playing in Minnesota that he did not want to center a line in the NHL.

Could there be any truth to this?  Why would the Blues want to dump the possible future-captain of the team unless it was for something special?

The Globe and Mail answers these questions as well.  Blues President John Davidson was reportedly questioned as to why he was in Winnipeg in early-January, and his response was that he was doing some scouting between the Hershey Bears and the Manitoba Moose, who just so happen to be the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate. 

With Moose starting goalie Cory Schneider tearing up the AHL, it is possible the young prospect will be moved if given the right offer.  Last season, Schneider marveled the AHL with a 2.04 GAA and a .928 save percentage.  The 23-year old goaltender is having another brilliant season, posting a 2.57 GAA and a .928 save percentage.  But with Vancouver having all-star Roberto Luongo locked up for 12 years, there really isn't a place for Schneider in the Canucks' future.  A move is most likely imminent for the NHL-hopeful.

Is St. Louis a place that he could call home though?  Current starting goalie Chris Mason is an unrestricted free-agent at the end of this season, and there has been no word from the Blues or Mason's agent if there are contract-extension discussions.  Ty Conklin is currently the back-up to Mason and has played well in the role.  His past in the starting position is not too impressive though, so it is apparent that the Blues may be looking in other areas for a starting goalie in 2010-11.  Management has hoped since drafting Ben Bishop in the third round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft that he would be the answer for the future, but his inconsistent play on the Peoria Rivermen this year has raised many eyebrows as to if he could handle a NHL job.  The only times that Bishop has seen NHL action is when he would get an emergency call-up from the Blues, and even then he has allowed 12 goals against in six games.

Schneider is obviously a better choice for the future in St. Louis, but would it really be worth trading the feisty Backes?

Backes may only have 10 goals on the season, but his presence on the rink has been the most important asset of his game.  Backes has stepped up time and again to fight big-name players (Corey Perry, Rick Nash, Jonathan Toews to name a few), and to defend his teammates in heated situations.  His leadership qualities and willingness to never back down has earned him the “A” on his sweater in certain games, and has even sparked talk of him being the next Blues captain after Eric Brewer is no longer a Blue.

Schneider may be the goalie of the future, but there is never a way to truly tell.  Backes is a proven-NHL player and should not be traded unless absolutely proven that the return will be of equal or greater value. 

That's not to say though that these two are the only ones involved in the trade talks.  If a package-deal could be worked, this could be a huge trade that will satisfy both teams' needs.  Don't be surprised if a deal is completed before the Olympic break in mid-February.