You just contradicted yourself. You say he is average, but he'll get a big contract.
- cuethenoise

Precisely. He is average, maybe slightly above average. On the free agent market he's going to get a significantly hefty contract from some team.

To give you some perspective Halak - the guy who was ousted for Miller - is a 4.5 mil player having signed a contract years ago. With the cap going up, teams starved of goaltending.. you don't think he'll get a 5.5-6 mil contract over multiple years? You're fooling yourself if you don't think he will.

Awesome post, Wiz. Funny how no one from the Blues side will even attempt to address the dirtiness of play issues here. I just watched that clip again, and Backes slashed Seabrook on the ankle and really took the Ginsu to Handzus. Not to mention Steen crosschecking Kruger 5 times in the hip/back.
- MartiniMan

At least for me, I am tired of the complaining about Backes. You guys are overly dramatic when talking about him. And any time I have joined a conversation, it gets nasty because you guys don't like to hear that there is to much wing going on. Took the Ginsy to Hanfzus? Perfect example.

Precisely. He is average, maybe slightly above average. On the free agent market he's going to get a significantly hefty contract from some team.

To give you some perspective Halak - the guy who was ousted for Miller - is a 4.5 mil player having signed a contract years ago. With the cap going up, teams starved of goaltending.. you don't think he'll get a 5.5-6 mil contract over multiple years? You're fooling yourself if you don't think he will.
- CaptainBlackhawk

The cap goes up next year I'm perfectly happy paying him 5-5.5 over 3 years, esp if Jaskin and Rattie make the team. There is your savings righ there.

At least for me, I am tired of the complaining about Backes. You guys are overly dramatic when talking about him. And any time I have joined a conversation, it gets nasty because you guys don't like to hear that there is to much wing going on. Took the Ginsy to Hanfzus? Perfect example.
- carcus

The fact that no one wants to address Wiz's post or argue against it speaks for itself.

Cheers, carcus. Hope everything works out for you and have a nice summer. Hope you chime in on the Hawks' board from time to time.

At least for me, I am tired of the complaining about Backes. You guys are overly dramatic when talking about him. And any time I have joined a conversation, it gets nasty because you guys don't like to hear that there is to much wing going on. Took the Ginsy to Hanfzus? Perfect example.
- carcus

Yeah enough with the wah wah Backes is dirty. He is a physical player that gets crap done. He doesn't go out to hurt guys, he intimidates them. You know if he was on your team you'd love him.

Halak coming back?

Honestly, I don't like their options. I don't know if they will do it, but I am leaning towards giving Allen the shot at #1 and get a reliable backup (maybe Elliott) and spend the extra money on a forward or two, along with at least a one or two player shakeup on forward and maybe a defenseman or two.
- carcus

I would personally declare my love for Trust in Jarmo if the Blues resign Halak......

The fact that no one wants to address Wiz's post or argue against it speaks for itself.
- MartiniMan

TLDR

I would personally declare my love for Trust in Jarmo if the Blues resign Halak......
- bcallaway

I'll be at the wedding!

Yeah enough with the wah wah Backes is dirty. He is a physical player that gets crap done. He doesn't go out to hurt guys, he intimidates them. You know if he was on your team you'd love him.
- cuethenoise

This. It's understandable how the Black Hawks fans loathe Backes especially based on what is believed to be the cheap shots given to Toews after his concussion but it's pointless to engage in the discussion with most of them about Backes and you can't only discuss it with a few of them on an internet blog.

Edited to better represent my thought.

I didn't mean he would take a 1 year contract. I see a 3 year $5-6 mill. I meant another year as our starter.
- cuethenoise

Got it. Thx.

Guess that makes more sense but do you want Miller as an example for Allen?

From a distance Miller always seemed a bit of a "me" guy.... comments after the Lucic hit... that wasn't the first time he criticized teammates in Buffalo. Seems like that was confirmed this round.

That said, he may be the best choice available.

The cap goes up next year I'm perfectly happy paying him 5-5.5 over 3 years, esp if Jaskin and Rattie make the team. There is your savings righ there.
- cuethenoise

In an earlier post you said that Crawford and Miller played the same in this series. Crawford is making $6 mil next year (which BTW I think he is worth every penny). You're assumption is incorrect if you think the Blues will be able to get Miller for $5 mil a year.

This. It's understandable how the Black Hawks fans loathe Backes especially based on what is believed to be the cheap shots given to Toews after his concussion but it's pointless to engage in the discussion with them about Backes.
- stljam

Yeah your right. They'll never get it.

In an earlier post you said that Crawford and Miller played the same in this series. Crawford is making $6 mil next year (which BTW I think he is worth every penny). You're assumption is incorrect if you think the Blues will be able to get Miller for $5 mil a year.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Crawford is overpaid. Pretty much everyone, but 50% of the hawks fans think that.

The fact that no one wants to address Wiz's post or argue against it speaks for itself.

Cheers, carcus. Hope everything works out for you and have a nice summer. Hope you chime in on the Hawks' board from time to time.
- MartiniMan

Maybe because it is a Charles Dic kens novel.

Cut it down and you might get a response. If its over a paragraph or two I am skipping it.

From a distance Miller always seemed a bit of a "me" guy.... comments after the Lucic hit... that wasn't the first time he criticized teammates in Buffalo. Seems like that was confirmed this round.
- tredbrta

I believe miller is a victim of his own personality. Miller is a very cerebral person. He studies film a lot, really analyzes the game, etc. You can tell from his interviews. You can tell from him still being at the rink at 11:15pm watching game footage, etc. He thinks the game and analyzes it in detail. To him, talking about some of this is just natural. A way for him to analyze, identify and improve. I bet these comments are just him processing things and trying to help the team and himself out. Unfortunately, I bet others who don't share this style often don't take what he is doing as his way of trying to constructively help especially when they don't see it as his role to dole out this help.

Crawford is overpaid. Pretty much everyone, but 50% of the hawks fans think that.
- cuethenoise

I'm done discussing this with you. His contract is right in line with his peers as Miller will be later this offseason.

You keep thinking the Blues will get him at $4.5-5 mil a year.

And I am tired of the Backes is Dirty

Jackman is dirty blah blah blah from Wild Avs Hawks fans

Keith is Jackman with talent does the exact same things as Jax and sometimes worse.

Backes plays the game the way guys in the 70's played it. hard and nasty but most of the time within thr rules.

Enjoy the rest of the playoffs Hawk fans.

Wild fans see you on the golf course tomorrow.

This. It's understandable how the Black Hawks fans loathe Backes especially based on what is believed to be the cheap shots given to Toews after his concussion but it's pointless to engage in the discussion with most of them about Backes and you can't only discuss it with a few of them on an internet blog.

Edited to better represent my thought.
- stljam

Everyone makes judgments based on perspective. Your beat writer, just the other day, contended that Toews would be a difficult choice over Backes for many GMs to build a team around.

Today, it is clear to everyone that he is not even a 1C.

I don't loathe Backes. The guy seems like a great person - love the stuff he does for animal rescue etc.... He needs to clean up elements of his game though. Part of this is Coach "Chaos" fault.

Would he be this type of player if Q was still in St. Louis? Hitch promotes this sort of stuff. Quennville and the Bowmans ship players out for it if they don't get it under control (see Carcillo).

The fact that no one wants to address Wiz's post or argue against it speaks for itself.

Cheers, carcus. Hope everything works out for you and have a nice summer. Hope you chime in on the Hawks' board from time to time.
- MartiniMan

He wrote a novel.

Honestly, I started to read it, and then thought better. Half the time I have no clue what he is trying to say in his posts, and this one was so long I didn't feel like it would be worth reading. Maybe this was the one that made sense, I am not sure. Still, Backes talk with Chicago fans is never worth it. I have found it impossible to have a good back and forth discussion.

I'm done discussing this with you. His contract is right in line with his peers as Miller will be later this offseason.

You keep thinking the Blues will get him at $4.5-5 mil a year.
- CaptainBlackhawk

OK watch Armstrong work his magic and learn I think you could have signed him for less of a term and about a million less. He did win a cup so I guess he earned some of it, but he is not a top 10 guy IMHO.

Maybe because it is a Charles Dic kens novel.

Cut it down and you might get a response. If its over a paragraph or two I am skipping it.
- sycsam

Wiz's stream of consciousness posts are the stuff of legend. He has forgotten more about hockey than most of us will ever know.

Take your ADD meds and read the longer posts. It is worth it.

Everyone makes judgments based on perspective. Your beat writer, just the other day, contended that Toews would be a difficult choice over Backes for many GMs to build a team around.

Today, it is clear to everyone that he is not even a 1C.

I don't loathe Backes. The guy seems like a great person - love the stuff he does for animal rescue etc.... He needs to clean up elements of his game though. Part of this is Coach "Chaos" fault.

Would he be this type of player if Q was still in St. Louis? Hitch promotes this sort of stuff. Quennville and the Bowmans ship players out for it if they don't get it under control (see Carcillo).
- tredbrta

He didn't, did he?

Wiz's stream of consciousness posts are the stuff of legend. He has forgotten more about hockey than most of us will ever know.

Take your ADD meds and read the longer posts. It is worth it.
- tredbrta

Like I said before, I have and usually am more confused what he is trying to say after reading. When it is that long, it is even harder. It is not ADD, no meds needed. And I am not doubting he is very knowledgeable. Just can't get what he is typing most of the time.

Wiz's stream of consciousness posts are the stuff of legend. He has forgotten more about hockey than most of us will ever know.

Take your ADD meds and read the longer posts. It is worth it.
- tredbrta

Not when all he does is trash my team and our captain.

What if someone did that to the Hawks?

What if all someone had to say aobut a team, a player, and a fanbase was negative?

How do you know he has forgotten more about hockey than the rest of us know now? Do you know this guy personally/

Quit telling other fanbases to read a long winded rant about our team.

He didn't, did he?
- CaptainBlackhawk

I didn't see it, but if so that is stupid.

Toewd just had an amazing series, and it looked like he did it with one arm. Nobody, including Blues fans, should question Toews greatness. He is awesome, just don't like the fact that he plays for Chicago.