Same. As a fan he's the exact type player I want to wear the spoked B. Now I wouldn't love his term or contract on my SIM team, but he makes the team more fun to watch no doubt.
I DO NOT however want to see he and Beleskey on the same line with Krejci. I'd like to see Backes in the middle with Spooner on the left side, but our RW are pretty weak.
I do think Backes here makes Spooner expendable in a trade to boost the D line. I'd love to see him on the third line with Beleskey and I'm even warming up to the idea of Hayes on Backes' right in an effort to jump start Hayes' game. Here's my lineup projections with production numbers rounded off. The fourth line will most likely see a rotation of guys in and out until we find players who work well with Nash, who I can see playing on the third line from time to time if and when Hayes is being Hayes. I think there will a healthy competition in camp for the open spots on the 4th. I do like the idea of a Schaller/Nash combo. Nash has pretty good possession numbers ( one of the reasons why we picked him up ) and Schaller has good size and a former college defensive player of the year.
Marchand -- Bergeron -- Vesey
(30/30/60) (25/40/65) (15/25/40)
Vatrano -- Krejci -- Pastrnak
(20/20/40) (20/50/70) (25/30/55)
Beleskey -- Backes -- Hayes
(20/25/45) (20/30/50) (15/15/30)
Schaller -- Nash -- Ferlin
(5/5/10) (10/20/30) (5/5/10)