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.
- carcus

Which Beatwriter? We dont claim Bernie.

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.
- carcus

No clue - I didn't see the post.

Toews is one of the top three overall PLAYERS in hockey. I think you'd agree.. Backes isn't remotely in that conversation.

No clue - I didn't see the post.

Toews is one of the top three overall PLAYERS in hockey. I think you'd agree.. Backes isn't remotely in that conversation.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I can agree with you but Take Toews off Chicago and put backes there I think Chicago is still a powerhouse.

I can agree with you but Take Toews off Chicago and put backes there I think Chicago is still a powerhouse.
- sycsam

Completely disagree...

Toews is an elite 1C, unreal leader, one of the top players in the game

Backes is a very good 2C, not a very good leader and not one of the top players in the game (meaning... top 3-5 overall players) (and I am NOT trolling saying that)

Elite/difference making players make a huge difference on your team. Couple that with the fact he's a Captain? It's a huge difference.

Completely disagree...

Toews is an elite 1C, unreal leader, one of the top players in the game

Backes is a very good 2C, not a very good leader and not one of the top players in the game (and I am NOT trolling saying that)

Elite/difference making players make a huge difference on your team. Couple that with the fact he's a Captain? It's a huge difference.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I think you missed my point. Toews is an elite player yes but take one elite player away from an entire group of elite players and its kind of easy to not miss that elite player.

Chicago Has the resources to replace Toews.

Better question is would the blues be where Chicago is if we had drafted Toews instead of Erik Johnson?

I think you missed my point. Toews is an elite player yes but take one elite player away from an entire group of elite players and its kind of easy to not miss that elite player.

Chicago Has the resources to replace Toews.

Better question is would the blues be where Chicago is if we had drafted Toews instead of Erik Johnson?
- sycsam

Much better.

But I still think the Blues are a FEW playmakers away from competing for the Cup.

Much better.

But I still think the Blues are a FEW playmakers away from competing for the Cup.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Purely hypothetical but that one draft would have swayed the way the blues drafter for the next 5 years.

Who knows where we would be.

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.
- carcus

I see just as much obstinacy here over Keith. 95% of the games I have seen Keith play you really see little dirty play. If he takes a hit or slash or sees a teammate targeted he brings the snarl and can go too far. Every suspension - Sedin, Cooke, Carter could all be demonstrated as responses.

Backes, not so. He is more of an instigator. Particularly the losing "ugly" - trying to slash or hit everyone and everything when a game is decided. That is Canucks style BS.

Would make him a hell of better player and leader if he got control of that. They played it clean yesterday in the 2nd half of the 3rd. Maybe he is starting to learn?

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.
- carcus

Totally agree, that also can be a problem with those posts....

They are worth reading though. Particularly when he throws in the stories from the old building. The guy has met all of the legends. Not just Hawks either.

I see just as much obstinacy here over Keith. 95% of the games I have seen Keith play you really see little dirty play. If he takes a hit or slash or sees a teammate targeted he brings the snarl and can go to far. Every suspension - Sedin, Cooke, Carter could all be demonstrated as responses.

Backes, not so. He is more of an instigator. Particularly the losing "ugly" - trying to slash or hit everyone and everything when a game is decided. That is Canucks style BS.

Would make him a hell of better player and leader if he got control of that. They played it clean yesterday in the 2nd half of the 3rd. Maybe he is starting to learn?
- tredbrta

Or there was no point seeing as Miller gave up 4 goals on like 5 shots and the team was demoralized.

He didn't, did he?
- CaptainBlackhawk

Yes, he did.

Someone posted a link to it in an earlier thread.

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.
- sycsam

"That" is done to the Hawks every day and not just by other team's fans or bloggers.

Read it. Don't read it. I just said it can be worth it. I think he used to blog here - does a scouting report pre-draft as well.

Which Beatwriter? We dont claim Bernie.
- sycsam

I think you were posting that day. Was that not a beat writer? He was posting some sort of q and a from the Blues skate on Friday.

I think you were posting that day. Was that not a beat writer? He was posting some sort of q and a from the Blues skate on Friday.
- tredbrta

I dont remember any Q and A from a beat writer.

Lou Korac and Jeremy Rutherford are the only two guys that seem to know what they are talking about.

I dont think those two guys are stupid enough to compare Toews and Backes

I dont remember any Q and A from a beat writer.

Lou Korac and Jeremy Rutherford are the only two guys that seem to know what they are talking about.

I dont think those two guys are stupid enough to compare Toews and Backes
- sycsam

I it was one of Rutherford's chat sessions. Here is the quote:

On ESPN Barry Melrose said "nobody likes Backes.'' How about his teammates? Hawk fans think he's a dirty player and got what he deserved. He's no J. Toews

"I didn't see the comment, so I don't know the context. Just hearing it, I would think Melrose is saying that nobody likes to play against him. Backes' teammates have nothing but respect for him, and while there probably aren't too many players in the NHL who like facing him, I would think he's has a ton of respect around the league as well. Toews is a terrific player, but Backes is right up there with him. I'd venture to say that while many GMs might take Toews over Backes in a fantasy draft, some would take Backes and the ones who don't would probably have to think about it for a while."

I it was one of Rutherford's chat sessions. Here is the quote:

On ESPN Barry Melrose said "nobody likes Backes.'' How about his teammates? Hawk fans think he's a dirty player and got what he deserved. He's no J. Toews

"I didn't see the comment, so I don't know the context. Just hearing it, I would think Melrose is saying that nobody likes to play against him. Backes' teammates have nothing but respect for him, and while there probably aren't too many players in the NHL who like facing him, I would think he's has a ton of respect around the league as well. Toews is a terrific player, but Backes is right up there with him. I'd venture to say that while many GMs might take Toews over Backes in a fantasy draft, some would take Backes and the ones who don't would probably have to think about it for a while."
- cuethenoise

Context sure helps/ I dont read that as JR saying he would take Backes over Toews just taht a lot of GM's would take Backes.

Just a simple someone reading it one way and me reading it another maybe

Completely disagree...

Toews is an elite 1C, unreal leader, one of the top players in the game

Backes is a very good 2C, not a very good leader and not one of the top players in the game (meaning... top 3-5 overall players) (and I am NOT trolling saying that)

Elite/difference making players make a huge difference on your team. Couple that with the fact he's a Captain? It's a huge difference.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Well said. I honestly don't know if there is a player in the game who could bring what Toews has to the Hawks. A lot of it is intangible. He is a Messier type.

No clue - I didn't see the post.

Toews is one of the top three overall PLAYERS in hockey. I think you'd agree.. Backes isn't remotely in that conversation.
- CaptainBlackhawk

It's here:

http://live.stltoday.com/...remy_Rutherford_37?Page=0

Q: "On ESPN Barry Melrose said "nobody likes Backes.'' How about his teammates? Hawk fans think he's a dirty player and got what he deserved. He's no J. Toews
by Jim Pappin April 24 at 1:10 PM

A: "I didn't see the comment, so I don't know the context. Just hearing it, I would think Melrose is saying that nobody likes to play against him. Backes' teammates have nothing but respect for him, and while there probably aren't too many players in the NHL who like facing him, I would think he's has a ton of respect around the league as well. Toews is a terrific player, but Backes is right up there with him. I'd venture to say that while many GMs might take Toews over Backes in a fantasy draft, some would take Backes and the ones who don't would probably have to think about it for a while."

I think you missed my point. Toews is an elite player yes but take one elite player away from an entire group of elite players and its kind of easy to not miss that elite player.

Chicago Has the resources to replace Toews.

Better question is would the blues be where Chicago is if we had drafted Toews instead of Erik Johnson?
- sycsam

If the Blues had taken Toews I would not be surprised if you had at least 1 cup if not in serious contention. He wills everyone around him to be better.

See Babcock's comments about him after both Olympics - and this one Toews was probably playing injured.

I it was one of Rutherford's chat sessions. Here is the quote:

On ESPN Barry Melrose said "nobody likes Backes.'' How about his teammates? Hawk fans think he's a dirty player and got what he deserved. He's no J. Toews

"I didn't see the comment, so I don't know the context. Just hearing it, I would think Melrose is saying that nobody likes to play against him. Backes' teammates have nothing but respect for him, and while there probably aren't too many players in the NHL who like facing him, I would think he's has a ton of respect around the league as well. Toews is a terrific player, but Backes is right up there with him. I'd venture to say that while many GMs might take Toews over Backes in a fantasy draft, some would take Backes and the ones who don't would probably have to think about it for a while."
- cuethenoise

That's it. Thanks. Is Rutherford a beat writer?

That's it. Thanks. Is Rutherford a beat writer?
- tredbrta

He is

I dont think he was saying Teams would take backes OVER Toews just that GM's wouild take Backes on their teams.

That's it. Thanks. Is Rutherford a beat writer?
- tredbrta

Yeah he is a damn good one too. Honestly I don't think he is too off. But I think most teams would choose Toews over Backes still. Toews has the leadership / offensive skill over Backes. I think Backes is still a very good leader, decent offensive and tremendous defensively. He is basically Hitch's wet dream.

Yeah he is a damn good one too. Honestly I don't think he is too off. But I think most teams would choose Toews over Backes still. Toews still has a tremendous upgrade on Backes offensively, as good if not better defensively, significantly better leader, two Cups and two Gold medals as well.. I think Backes is still a very good leader, decent offensive and tremendous defensively. He is basically Hitch's wet dream.
- cuethenoise

*corrected

He is

I dont think he was saying Teams would take backes OVER Toews just that GM's wouild take Backes on their teams.
- sycsam

It is right there.

"I'd venture to say that while many GMs might take Toews over Backes in a fantasy draft, some would take Backes and the ones who don't would probably have to think about it for a while."

Toews = Backes

No offense but this is absurd. Fantasy draft means building a team from scratch. The first picks would be true 1Cs, franchise D men, or cornerstone goalies.

I think we can all admit here Backes is a premier 2C in the game now playing at 1C. He would not enter into any GMs mind over Crosby, Toews, Malkin, Getzlaf , Stamkos....

Even as a prototype 2C you might make the argument for Bergeron or Kesler over Backes. I would lean Bergeron. If Backes played in Julien or Quennvilles systems and showed discipline he would be the man.

Hard not to be a homer as a beat writer in any city.

LMAO...I have been around hockey a few years...and DO NOT get me wrong I like Matt Moulson, but on what planet is he a "game breaker?"

His ordinary skating alone has probably cost him 2-3 golden chances in the Avs series.
- kwolf68

I would rather have him out there in the last min than any Blues forward