Avalanche NHL Draft: Colorado Missed Out in 2003

David Backes, #62

Apr 22, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; St. Louis Blues forward David Backes (42) hits Minnesota Wild forward

(11) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Blues defeated the Wild 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Now, here in Avs Nation, we don’t like David Backes. He’s another big, mean player, and he likes to pick on our skill guys. However, imagine if, like Corey Perry, this infuriating player were an Avalanche — he’s be a force for good instead of evil.

Backes is another two-way center, a big power forward at 6-foot-3, 221 pounds. He always knows where the net is, and he’s not afraid to grind his way toward it.

Colorado actually missed out on Backes by one — they chose right after Backes got selected by the St. Louis Blues. However, imagine if he could have been a mentor for Landeskog — or at the very least picking on other teams’ skill guys.

David Backes wrecking havoc:

Plus, Backes is about as big an animal lover as Erik Johnson.