Player Discussion David Backes

[DKH]

That's a little much.

He would have been excellent on that team although their right side was

Middleton
Schmautz
OReilly

Cashman played LW even though right shot

Marcotte
Cashman
Jonathan
Wensink

Don't get me going on Secord

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Been watching hockey for 43 years now... not sure if I saw 'winning' a fight make a difference in the game more than maybe a dozen times

But when a team gets bullied or doesn't stick up for each other... seen that cost a club the entire season.

Guys don't need to win fights in order to help the team... just answer the bell and don't get ragdolled

I know fight fans won't like what I'm saying but what backes did was exactly what winning hockey is all about... being part of the team

Agreed.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

Been watching hockey for 43 years now... not sure if I saw 'winning' a fight make a difference in the game more than maybe a dozen times

But when a team gets bullied or doesn't stick up for each other... seen that cost a club the entire season.

Guys don't need to win fights in order to help the team... just answer the bell and don't get ragdolled

I know fight fans won't like what I'm saying but what backes did was exactly what winning hockey is all about... being part of the team

this is spot-on IMO

 

[Krupp]

The guy is third or so on the team in goals, and fifth overall in points. Isn't that a sign that maybe this guy's best days aren't done yet?

You'd think, anyway. I'm still rooting hard for this guy no matter what. I loved watching Backes play for St. Louis and I'm still thrilled he's a Bruin now.

 

[DKH]

The guy is third or so on the team in goals, and fifth overall in points. Isn't that a sign that maybe this guy's best days aren't done yet?

You'd think, anyway. I'm still rooting hard for this guy no matter what. I loved watching Backes play for St. Louis and I'm still thrilled he's a Bruin now.

He should hold up well.

Most of his goals come from the dirty areas so that's a plus

I can see years 4 and 5 taking on a similar path to one of my all time favorites Joel Otto.

He will fulfill that contract well but they did structure the last 2 years at $4 M and with a modified trade package so his contract in year 4 and 5 isn't this David Clarkson, Dave Bolland, Nathan Horton immovable deal.

But it does help the Negative Nancy 'I told you so' crowd a chance to spout of about it even though 80% know the contract but must follow their DNA to complain

 

[DKH]

can't edit

I meant 'don't know the contract'

 

[varano]

Don't need to read any of this thread.

Backes is the true epitome of a hockey player. Plays with heart... Has skill...Is tough..

I remember in the playoffs against the blackhawks where he got hit...was totally concussed and tried to fight someone even though it was very clear by looking at him that he had no idea where he was...

He's a perfect bruin.

 

[Bobbysands]

Don't need to read any of this thread.

Backes is the true epitome of a hockey player. Plays with heart... Has skill...Is tough..

I remember in the playoffs against the blackhawks where he got hit...was totally concussed and tried to fight someone even though it was very clear by looking at him that he had no idea where he was...

He's a perfect bruin.

Yep. I love him.

What more could a fan, especially a bruin one, want from a player?

 

[DKH]

Yep. I love him.

What more could a fan, especially a bruin one, want from a player?

You aren't worried about 2021-22 his production will be down

Lot of 'I told you so's' written just need to hit send

 

[jgatie]

You aren't worried about 2021-22 his production will be down

Lot of 'I told you so's' written just need to hit send

A lot of guys made a good long living well into their 40's standing in the slot taking a beating, tipping pucks and slamming home rebounds. Dave Andreychuck anyone?

 

[Ace0813]

A lot of guys made a good long living well into their 40's standing in the slot taking a beating, tipping pucks and slamming home rebounds. Dave Andreychuck anyone?

Mark Recchi?

 

[BMC]

A lot of guys made a good long living well into their 40's standing in the slot taking a beating, tipping pucks and slamming home rebounds. Dave Andreychuck anyone?

Mark Recchi?

I was going to say...but you two beat me to it!

The thing I worry about with Backes is his concussion history. As long as that is under control I can see him being productive like Rex & Andreychuk were in their later years.

 

[jgatie]

Mark Recchi?

Him too. Though Andreychuck hardly ever scored from anywhere but the doorstep his entire career. Rex at least had other facets to his game.

 

[TMac21]

A lot of guys made a good long living well into their 40's standing in the slot taking a beating, tipping pucks and slamming home rebounds. Dave Andreychuck anyone?

And its much easier now than 10 years ago with Chris Pronger cross checking you in the back.

 

[jgatie]

And its much easier now than 10 years ago with Chris Pronger cross checking you in the back.

Which is why it is amazing some guys won't do it.

Personally, I blame taking hitting out of Squirts and Pee Wees! (Of course, I blame taking hitting out of Squirts and Pee Wees for everything that's wrong in hockey )

 

[Fenian24]

Been watching hockey for 43 years now... not sure if I saw 'winning' a fight make a difference in the game more than maybe a dozen times

But when a team gets bullied or doesn't stick up for each other... seen that cost a club the entire season.

Guys don't need to win fights in order to help the team... just answer the bell and don't get ragdolled

I know fight fans won't like what I'm saying but what backes did was exactly what winning hockey is all about... being part of the team

Huge fight fan and this comment is spot on, David Backes could have played for any Bruins team in any generation. Heart, courage and talent always transcend era's. (it's nice to win the fight though)

 

[BNHL]

And its much easier now than 10 years ago with Chris Pronger cross checking you in the back.

Only 5 players in the last 20 years have scored 20 goals in their 40s and they are all HOF caliber except 1 (Gary Roberts) and it's only been done 8 times.

 

[Bluesguru]

Blues fan here and I miss the guy. In fact, if any of you noticed over there, the Blues are slipping fast this year. And I'm not surprised, I expected this team to go soft. Our GM Doug Armstrong is clueless. You can't gut a team of it's element by letting Backes & Brouwer walk and just replace them with Perron & Yakupov. And that's not the only dumb moves he's made here recently, the guys on a roll. The Blues need a new GM bad.

Anyway I expect Backes to fulfill his contract over there and give the Bruins their money's worth. The man has a ton of character and he works hard at his craft. Players like that always find ways to produce.

 

[qc]

I've always loved the guy, but what a horrible signing this turned out to be. He's nothing more than an above average 3rd liner at this point.

Only God knows what he's going to look like in a few years...

 

[finchster]

Grit and leadership was lacking on this team, that's what we needed more of...

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

I've always loved the guy, but what a horrible signing this turned out to be. He's nothing more than an above average 3rd liner at this point.

Only God knows what he's going to look like in a few years...

Yup. Made no sense then, makes less sense now. Contract is gonna be an anchor.

 

[BruinDust]

I've always loved the guy, but what a horrible signing this turned out to be. He's nothing more than an above average 3rd liner at this point.

Only God knows what he's going to look like in a few years...

Yet he's on pace for the same production as he had last year before signing the contract. So is it really that horrible. Did you expect his production to suddenly increase substantially?

Fact is, to get the most value out of Backes (and I'm not just talking about goals and assists), he needs to see more time at Center where his defensive skills make a bigger impact. Sadly he's not comfortable there in this system right now.

 

[bp13]

Grit and leadership was lacking on this team, that's what we needed more of...

You're kidding right?

Sorry I never know what those emojis mean.

 

[EverettMike]

One of the things I love about Brad Marchand is that even when he is struggling you notice him, because he never stops moving. I thought this would be true of Backes, but there are just way too many nights when he is a ghost.

I'm not saying he's lazy (far from it), just that he isn't a factor on way too many nights an I don't understand it. I did not expect to look up in the 2nd or 3rd period of so many games and ask where he's been all the game.

 

[Beesfan]

What bothers me is that he played so well in training camp and the first week of the season. Now he is a difference maker in about 1/10 games. The idea that this guy has the same cap hit as Marchand over the next 4 years is a joke. Sweeney should request that he allow himself to be exposed in the expansion draft.