Rangers Acquire Christian Backman from St. Louis

[Thrillhouse]

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Christian Backman from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Backman, 27, has appeared in 45 games with the St. Louis Blues this season, registering one goal and nine assists for 10 points, along with 30 penalty minutes. He ranks fourth on the Blues among defensemen in assists (nine) and points (10). In addition, Backman recorded a season-high, two points (one goal and one assist) on January 13 vs. Vancouver, and registered four points (one goal and three assists) in a five games from January 2 to January 13. He skated in his 200th career NHL game on November 19 vs. Nashville.

In 2006-07, he collected seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points, along with 36 penalty minutes in 61 games with St. Louis. While establishing new career-highs in goals (seven) and plus/minus rating (plus-13), Backman ranked second on the team in plus/minus rating and second in average icetime (22:09). He also led all St. Louis Blues’ defensemen in goals (seven), and ranked third in assists (11) and points (18).

The 6-4, 210-pound defenseman has skated in 228 career NHL contests with the St. Louis Blues, recording 19 goals and 45 assists for 64 points, along with 130 penalty minutes. In 2003-04, he established career-highs in games played (66) and assists (13). He made his NHL debut on February 11, 2003 at Buffalo, and recorded his first NHL goal on October 22, 2003 at Vancouver.

A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Backman was originally St. Louis’s first pick, 24th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

[bustoff]

Glad the Blues could dump him off.

[ikogan]

Ugh.

[SirYohans]

I don't even know what type of player Backman is. I didn't think the Rangers would be very active but I tought they might try for sure to get either Kaberle or McCabe from The Leafs. A more offensive type.

[Isles4life]

I'm not really sure what the Rangers wanted with Backman...

[Snipes19]

YES!

Great trade by the Blues here. Backman sucks, and he's making $3.4 million a year. What a ridiculous contract for a guy who sucks.

He's 6'4'' 210, but he's probably the softest guy in the NHL. He doesn't ever hit - he can't play defense - and he's bad at controlling the puck.

The funny thing is - he's labeled as an "offensive defenseman" - but he's never scored more than 18 points in an NHL season.

Good luck with him, New York. I'm just glad he's gone.

[Brash_Fan]

Backman had a good season a couple of years ago and people predicted him to turn into a 1-2 d-man but it seems not much has happend.
Perhaps he will develope into a solid player for Rangers, who knows.
Giving up a 4th round is not bad.

[pesadillamal]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

YES!

Great trade by the Blues here. Backman sucks, and he's making $3.4 million a year. What a ridiculous contract for a guy who sucks.

He's 6'4'' 210, but he's probably the softest guy in the NHL. He doesn't ever hit - he can't play defense - and he's bad at controlling the puck.

The funny thing is - he's labeled as an "offensive defenseman" - but he's never scored more than 18 points in an NHL season.

Good luck with him, New York. I'm just glad he's gone.

So what you are telling me is that between him and Mara, we now have 12'8" 429 lbs. of spineless waste. Christ, you kill every part of his game here. I hope he is liked by his teammates or something.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by pesadillamal

So what you are telling me is that between him and Mara, we now have 12'8" 429 lbs. of spineless waste. Christ, you kill every part of his game here. I hope he is liked by his teammates or something.

Don't forget Malik

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by pesadillamal

So what you are telling me is that between him and Mara, we now have 12'8" 429 lbs. of spineless waste. Christ, you kill every part of his game here. I hope he is liked by his teammates or something.

Pretty much.

Except Backman makes Mara look like Colton Orr.

If you thought Mara was soft - Backman is worse. Trust me.

There's just not anything good about Backman that I can say. He is pretty terrible and I am so glad he's not in St. Louis anymore.

[pesadillamal]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Don't forget Malik

Now that is a cheapshot. And it hurt real bad.

Geez, you stand these three wastes of flesh on eachother's shoulders they could change bulbs on the scoreboard.

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

YES!

Great trade by the Blues here. Backman sucks, and he's making $3.4 million a year. What a ridiculous contract for a guy who sucks.

He's 6'4'' 210, but he's probably the softest guy in the NHL. He doesn't ever hit - he can't play defense - and he's bad at controlling the puck.

The funny thing is - he's labeled as an "offensive defenseman" - but he's never scored more than 18 points in an NHL season.

Good luck with him, New York. I'm just glad he's gone.

I couldn't agree more! When I saw his name I said what the fuc*? He's another Malik for chrissakes! Another 1st round bust! The Rangers needed a banger defenseman or a offensive defenseman who knows something about a powerplay and this is what they come up with and for big money!
What's the point of this deal? Depth? I don't get it at all?
I'd rather have Mike Backman back and he's 53 years old for chrissakes! At least Mike Backman hit people as a spunky winger with the Rangers in the early 1980's!
What a goddamn day? They get this stiff and dump Montoya for sh*t and see Hossa go to Pittsburgh!

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

Pretty much.

Except Backman makes Mara look like Colton Orr.

If you thought Mara was soft - Backman is worse. Trust me.

There's just not anything good about Backman that I can say. He is pretty terrible and I am so glad he's not in St. Louis anymore.

This guy makes Tim Bothwell look tough! Or maybe Ab DeMarco!

[KiddYidd]

Originally Posted by bigjack

This guy makes Tim Bothwell look tough! Or maybe Ab DeMarco!

I'd kill for Willie Huber right about now.

[OriginalSix]

Originally Posted by pesadillamal

So what you are telling me is that between him and Mara, we now have 12'8" 429 lbs. of spineless waste. Christ, you kill every part of his game here. I hope he is liked by his teammates or something.

I would venture to say Jassen Cullimore is the softest D man in the league. 6'-5" 220lbs of worthless garbage.