Backstrom a genuine Colorado hockey legend
Please excuse my belated thoughts on Ralph Backstrom, the legendary Colorado hockey figure who died in Windsor last week when I was away.
I can’t address this man by his last name only. It’s either Ralph or Mr. Backstrom for this space, and trust me, everyone who knew Ralph would agree he deserved such esteem.
Mr. Backstrom wasn’t a legend just because he won the 1959 Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year, helped the Montreal Canadiens win six Stanley Cups, was a six-time NHL All-Star, was the second-leading scorer at the 1974 Summit Series trailing only his Canadian teammate Bobby Hull, played for the WHL’s Denver Spurs, led the University of Denver to the 1986 Frozen Four when he won the Spencer Penrose Award as NCAA coach of the year, and founded Roller Hockey International and the Colorado Eagles.
(Without Mr. Backstrom, the Eagles don’t exist and the Avalanche probably doesn’t have its AHL affiliate in Loveland.)
Ralph was a genuine legend because, in addition to everything he accomplished in hockey, he was an extraordinarily kind man who seemingly had no ego.
“I WILL MISS MY FRIEND so much,” former Eagles coach and GM Chris Stewart said in a text
message. “And so will many others.”
Mr. Backstrom, who was 83, died of complications from dementia. Because of COVID-19, a memorial will be planned at a later date.
Ralph should be memorialized in the Hockey Hall of Fame — as a player or a builder, and both supported by being an exceptional human being who always played to the fans and growing
the game he loved.
“Such a positive demeanor,” Stewart said of Mr. Backstrom. “For me, he made coaching here fun. Our team never stopped at the bench. We encouraged our fans to be part of our team. He loved that. Adaptability is critical to success and Ralph always encouraged that and with Martin Lind as the owner, they gave the green light for us to grow from the CHL, ECHL to the AHL.”
Born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, in 1937, Mr. Backstrom played 17 NHL seasons with the Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks, then four years in the WHA with the Chicago Cougars, Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics and New England Whalers.
He played 1,336 professional games—1,032intheNHLand 304 in the WHL. Combined, he had 378 goals and 892 points.
Ralph also played in 15 postseasons.
Mr. Backstrom retired from playing shortly before his 40th birthday in 1977. The following year, he began his coaching career as a DU assistant under Marshall Johnston.
Ralph left Denver after one year to begin what became a one-year stint as an assistant for the L.A. Kings. He then returned to DU as head coach, where he and former Pioneers All-American goalie Ron Grahame worked together.
“I have a special spot in my heart for Ralph. He gave me an opportunity to coach,” said Grahame, who became a longtime DU administrator after his coaching stint. “I don’t think you’re going to run into too many people that didn’t have a good thing to stay about Ralph. He’s a pretty special individual.
“He was also a very accomplished individual, given what he did in the NHL, the Original Six, the success that he had there, and all of the things he touched outside of (playing) hockey, in Roller Hockey International and the Colorado Eagles. There are a lot of former players who really kept in touch with him over the years and I think they all really respected him.”
Rest in peace, Ralph.
As the speculation and dartthrowing kicked into gear last week regarding the future of Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, the options facing general manager George Paton remain unchanged.
1. Miller plays at his current salary
The Broncos’ all-time leader in sacks (106), Miller keeps his team-high $22.125 million cap hit and shows he has recovered from an ankle injury that cost him all of 2020 by posting double-digit sacks this year. He then signs a new deal to end his career with the Broncos or creates a semi-robust free-agent market for himself. This is realistic since Paton will want to give coach Vic Fangio a chance to play Miller and Bradley Chubb at the same time (only four out of 32 games the past two seasons).
2. Offer Miller a short-term extension
This would be a sign Paton believes Miller has multiple years of production left. It would carry him into his mid-30s and cut his 2020 cap number. It doesn’t make a ton of sense because of last September’s injury.
3. Ask Miller to take a pay cut
This is when things get interesting. Would Miller be willing to stay if his $17 million base salary is cut in half ? At that point, his agent, Joby Branion, should start putting out lines to other teams to see if they can top that offer. If so, Miller can turn down the Broncos and get released. If the market isn’t there, Miller can accept the Broncos’ proposal or, if he is disappointed with their request, he starts over elsewhere. This shouldn’t be an option for Paton because he doesn’t have to create cap space via this manner.
4. Trade Miller for a lateround draft choice
Call this The A.J. Bouye-Jurrell Casey Route. Last year, the Broncos flipped fourth- and seventh-round draft picks for Bouye and Casey, respectively, knowing both had no guaranteed money left beyond 2020. If a team is willing to give up a Day 3 pick and absorb the final year of Miller’s deal (which can be reworked upon the trade being complete), the Broncos at least get something. A shot worth taking for Paton if Miller isn’t in the plan.
5. Release Miller
Like trading him, cutting Millrunning er would create $13.875 million of cap space. He will end up in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, but won’t be a one-team player. This makes sense.
Around the league
Colts don’t blink. Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard dug in during trade talks for Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz, undoubtedly feeling the Colts were the only suitor. That discipline paid off Thursday when the Eagles flipped Wentz for a 2021 third-round pick and conditional 2022 second-round selection.
Both sides did well — Ballard for not giving up a first-round pick or taking on another big Eagles contract and Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman for not giving up a pick in addition to Wentz (like the Rams did with Jared Goff ).
The Eagles will absorb a $33.4 million dead cap hit, the largest in NFL history, but they are saving $25.4 million in cash, which they can allocate to start their rebuild.
Beake promoted. The Broncos promoted defensive assistant Chris Beake to defensive passgame specialist on Friday. Beake is entering his ninth year on the coaching staff, his tenure spanning head coaches John Fox, Gary Kubiak, Vance Joseph and Fangio. Beake is the son of former Broncos general manager John Beake.
Strnad on prospects. During an interview last week, Broncos inside linebacker Justin Strnad, who played at Wake Forest, was asked for his take on three draft prospects.
On former Wake teammate Carlos Basham (defensive lineman): “He’ll bring a lot to a team, not just because he’s a good pass rusher, but I think he has the ability to play all four positions on the d-line with the size he’s put on (listed at 275 pounds). I think he has a shot to be a first-round pick and help a team right away. I think he could play (3-4 outside linebacker), but right now, he’s probably a little heavy for that. I
would assume a 4-3 end and he can play inside, too.”
On Clemson running back Travis Etienne: “Just his speed (is a challenge) and even though he’s not the biggest running back you’ll ever face (listed at 5-10, 215), he runs really hard and with his pad level, he has a low center of gravity. When we played them, we were more in zone, but he’s challenging to cover out of the backfield because of how fast he is.”
On Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence: “He was obviously good when we played him. He’s composed and just a big kid so when you get pressure in his face, it doesn’t affect him as much as other quarterbacks because he’s 6-6.”
First-round contributions.
Good info from former NFL general manager/current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum on Twitter about the play-time percentages last year for Las Vegas’ five first-round picks from 2019-20. Safety Johnathan Abram (71.6%) led, followed by
back Josh Jacobs (53.5%), defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell (42.3%), receiver Henry Ruggs (50.3%) and cornerback Damon Arnette
(29.9%).
By comparison, the Broncos’ last four first-round picks were left tackle Garett Bolles (94.3%), outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (77.0%), tight end Noah Fant (68.1%) and receiver Jerry Jeudy (74.9%).
Translation: The Raiders need to get a big-time up-tick from their first-round picks to help the rebuilding plan of coach Jon Gruden come to fruition.
Massive coordinator turnover.
The coordinator hiring cycle is closed and it was another year of big changes.
New offensive coordinators (13): Atlanta, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Miami, Minnesota, the New York Jets, the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle and Tennessee.
New defensive coordinators (12): Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams, the New York Jets, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Bears have Fangio tie.
Chicago promoted secondary coach Sean Desai to defensive coordinator last month. Desai was a quality control assistant for the Bears when Fangio was the defensive coordinator.
“Vic has been my biggest mentor in the NFL,” Desai told Chicago reporters last week. “I think the biggest thing I’ll take from Vic is going to be my preparation and my approach to the game, the buy-in I’m going to get from the players and how to do that (and) teaching people the whys.”
Desai also worked for Mel Tucker and Chuck Pagano in Chicago.
Football vs. baseball.
The largest guarantee in NFL history is $141.5 million for Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Compare that to baseball, where San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis agreed to a 14year, $340 million (fully guaranteed) contract on Wednesday.