Talk about irony.

A week ago, the Canucks became the first team to make an offer to a restricted free agent, signing David Backes of the St. Louis Blues to a 3-year, $7.5-million contract. St. Louis had 7 days to match Vancouver’s offer; they did so within hours, hanging on to their underrated forward. If they’d got Backes, Vancouver would have had to give St. Louis a 2009 second-round draft choice in return.

The blues are hitting back.

Vancouver has 7 days to match the offer, or receive St. Louis’ second-round draft pick in 2009.