David Backes on Tarasenko magic, Blues playoff chances, dog charity (Puck Daddy Interview)

St. Louis Blues captain David Backes had an on-ice view of Vladimir Tarasenko’s full speed in-game ‘Forsberg’ move against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

And a couple of days later, after getting home to St. Louis at 1:30 a.m. from a flight out of the Tri-State Area, a tired Backes made sure to say he had nothing to do with it.

“I think the other four guys were just spectators,” Backes said. “He’s a pretty special talent and you saw a lot of his skills and abilities in that play, and his speed and ability to work in small spaces and his knack to finish plays off. When he’s on it and wants to make it happen, it’s tough to stop him and it’s great to have him on our side.”

Backes is one of the better talkers around the NHL. He’s not afraid to give an opinion, and his answers tend to be long and eloquently spoken.

He’s also a pretty solid two-way player, being named a finalist for the 2012 Selke Trophy – though yearly being put in the conversation. For what it’s worth he was tops on my ballot that year.

We had a chance to chat via phone with Backes about Tarasenko, what’s different about the Blues this year, fighting Canadians and (since this is a David Backes interview) his love of dogs.

Q: Like most hockey players I’m sure you had seen the ‘Forsberg’ move on television many times as a kid. What was it like watching it live, and in person by Tarasenko?

Backes: … And at Madison Square Garden while you’re down a goal … add all the variables on there. It’s a special play by a special player. He’s very capable of some highlight reel goals and he puts some hard work in to give our team success.

What has been different about Tarasenko this year? It seems like he’s playing a bit more consistently for you guys.

He has probably carried us singlehandedly through three or four of these games that we’ve won on this winning streak. I think he is comfortable in a North American setting now that he has (Jori) Lehtera playing beside him on most shifts and I think he has himself to a fitness level where he can use his explosive speed and skills in the right manner and the right time.

You guys haven’t had a ton of postseason success of late. When he’s on his game, is he the type of player that, if you get to the playoffs this year, can change a series?

He’s definitely one of those ‘X-Factor’ guys where he can take over a game. Even last year against Chicago he had quite a few big goals for us. He’s definitely an asset, someone who is going to take a lot of attention even if he’s not able to make that difference himself, he’ll be drawing a lot of attention in opening up some space for his teammates. You love him on your team. Every shift he’s out there he can throw one in the back of the net.

It was an uneven start for you guys with some injuries. You think you’re on the right track?

We’re finding our game and finding our mode of play. We’re working first and then letting our skill kick in. They haven’t been all pretty games to win, especially on the road. We’ve had some real, ugly wins. But we’re finding ways and building team unity and an ability to stick together. We had some growing pains earlier in the year and now we’ve realized we can’t play that cutesie game and have success. We’re going to have to play a hard-nosed game, put the team first and the success follows.

It’s early, but is this group different than past teams, which haven’t made it far in the playoffs?

This is the deepest team I’ve had in my time in St. Louis. It’s hopefully going to bode well. Not just for a successful regular season, but also to spread some of the workload for an 82-game season out – to deal with injuries better, and therefore have more in the tank come playoff time. We’ve been stricken with injuries and that hasn’t helped the cause, but I think we’ve been through it enough times. We’ve had those growing pains and the fire is burning hotter to not only get there and make a splash but play deep in the playoffs.

You’ve had a pretty successful offensive career, but you’re mostly known as a ‘Selke Trophy type guy.’ Does that bother you at all?

There’s a lot of pride in being a guy who is defensively responsible. You look at the guys who are always mentioned among that award and you always want to have them on your team and admire the way they play. For me to have that sort of company is pretty humbling and I’ll take it. But I’m not naïve that it’s not a one-man job. I may have had my name out there, but you look at a guy like Alex Steen, T.J. Oshie or Alex Pietrangelo or Jay Bouwmeester or the goaltending, it’s not like there’s flawless defense being played. We’re constantly helping each other out and bailing each other out, and sometimes you need a big save to help you out. It’s a team effort, but sometimes they have to find one guy to nominate for those awards.

Leading up to the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, you fought a ton of players who were on Team Canada before the Games. Not last year before Sochi though … why?

I think the conspiracy theorists have made up their own sort of storylines there. I’m not going to give credence to headlines or any of that other stuff.

You’re known as a pretty charitable guy when it comes to dogs. What have you been up to recently with ‘man’s best friend?’

A year ago my wife and I started our own foundation, “Athletes for Animals” to help pro athletes in all sporting disciplines to stand up and give a voice to their local animal rescue and welfare organizations and promote responsible pet ownership. We think there’s a great ability for professional athletes, who have a great platform, to speak up for a cause. A lot of these guys have domestic animals and really love them and it’s something that’s easy for them to do.

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