Player Discussion David Backes

[TMac21]

This contract gives me anxiety.

 

[Bruinaura]

I want to see Bergeron, Krejci, and Backes as the top 3 centers on a prolonged basis. Krejci with Backes clearly isn't working, and Backes looked better at C in St. Louis. This team is in a tailspin, time to try something new.

If you really want to shake things up, give Marchand and Pastrnak to Backes and let Bergy carry another line. I mean, that line did work in the first three games of the season, and Bergeron can play with anyone....

I really don't think they should do that. Bergeron is the #1 center. But I do think Backes should also be at center.

 

[Trap Jesus]

If you really want to shake things up, give Marchand and Pastrnak to Backes and let Bergy carry another line. I mean, that line did work in the first three games of the season, and Bergeron can play with anyone....

I really don't think they should do that. Bergeron is the #1 center. But I do think Backes should also be at center.

I'd never entertain splitting Bergeron and Marchand up. That duo is just way too dynamic and both make the other one even better. I wouldn't be against sliding Pasta down to spread the wealth though. Kind of crazy considering how well that line is doing, but considering how desperate things are in Boston...

I still would like to see Marchand-Bergeron-Spooner. I think it masks Spooner's deficiencies AND highlights his strengths.

 

[missingchicklet]

I'd never entertain splitting Bergeron and Marchand up. That duo is just way too dynamic and both make the other one even better. I wouldn't be against sliding Pasta down to spread the wealth though. Kind of crazy considering how well that line is doing, but considering how desperate things are in Boston...

I still would like to see Marchand-Bergeron-Spooner. I think it masks Spooner's deficiencies AND highlights his strengths.

Now that Pasta is heating up again there is no way I would move him down. That line is the only thing good about the team right now. As for Spooner, it would not be smart to move a third-line player to the top line so that his deficiencies can be better hid and because there is some hope he might not be as crappy playing with elite players. Of course his strengths will be highlighted. Anyone's strengths are going to be highlighted playing with the likes of Marchy and Bergy. I'm definitely not for messing up the only good line on the team so that one player can possibly score a couple more goals.

 

[GordonHowe]

This contract gives me anxiety.

I understand about the term. But, the Bruins needed vocal, articulate leadership that can back up their words. I realize he's been a minus player lately, and has made some glaring boo-boos, but that's precisely what #42 provides. I forget who they were playing recently
-- TBL, PITT? -- but DB's physical play was spectacular & plainly motivated his teammates.

I couldn't ask for a better leader.

 

[sarge88]

I understand about the term. But, the Bruins needed vocal, articulate leadership that can back up their words. I realize he's been a minus player lately, and has made some glaring boo-boos, but that's precisely what #42 provides. I forget who they were playing recently
-- TBL, PITT? -- but DB's physical play was spectacular & plainly motivated his teammates.

I couldn't ask for a better leader.

Backes was never intended to be the difference between winning a cup and not winning one....he was brought here to help those that are, or have the potential to be difference makers.

The job Sweeney has is to get those difference makers.

 

[EverettMike]

I understand about the term. But, the Bruins needed vocal, articulate leadership that can back up their words. I realize he's been a minus player lately, and has made some glaring boo-boos, but that's precisely what #42 provides. I forget who they were playing recently
-- TBL, PITT? -- but DB's physical play was spectacular & plainly motivated his teammates.

I couldn't ask for a better leader.

Huh?

 

[PacificNWBruin]

People are obsessed with power forwards. Backes isn't that great of one. I get we need character guys, but paying someone $6m a year for vocal leadership and not very consistent physical play is absurd to not criticize when he isn't doing well in the supposed role he was signed for. He hasn't been enough to help this team play well. He also only has 22 pts and is a -12 on the season. I could argue about term and money not being great right now. We're in the same position as last year pretty much. People were convinced the signing would put the team over the hump. Since we lacked physicality last season. This team is still mentally weak. They most likely will crumble because we still don't have top 4D help, a good enough backup goalie and another scoring winger. Management will give more picks for bottom 6 forwards and 7th Dman types.

Even if we do make into the playoffs, I have no confidence they'll make past the 1st round. I'm always optimistic about getting into the playoffs. It's usually a clean slate and anything can happen. I don't have that feeling with this team. This entire team has looked disinterested this year. I get bored watching most games now a days. They struggle to get offensive zone time. It's constant dump and chase, weak forechecking so it's easy for other teams to recover pucks and move them up ice, then they get hung up in their own end. They shoot the puck a lot, but usually right into the goalie. It's been frustrating to watch. Even thought about flying out from the west coast to see a game at the beginning of the season. Feel bad for STH's. I'd be pretty annoyed and pissed off.

 

[Ryan77]

Everyone keeps saying that Backes is a "leader" well true leaders don't talk they let there play do the talking. I hated this contract when it was signed and I hate it so much more now.

All this guy does is run around and try and hit people, usually ends up on his own ass, is a liability when on the ice.. apparently can't figure out a system for a position which he has been playing for years now. This contract alone should get Sweeney the boot. I mean geez guy got hurt fighting Nazem Kadri!!!

Nazem Kadri!!! What a joke.

Backes and Belesky are perfect examples of why you don't sign free agents to massive deals. There's usually a reason why there current teams don't try and extend them.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

remember how good he started the season??

I know we have a great first line, but Maybe we should go back to that opening nite line. Now that Bergy is playing better.

gotta try something to get more lines putting up numbers

 

[ODAAT]

remember how good he started the season??

I know we have a great first line, but Maybe we should go back to that opening nite line. Now that Bergy is playing better.

gotta try something to get more lines putting up numbers

honestly, I believe you can shift this guy or that guy around, but when all you have is mediocrity, won`t make a lick of a difference

 

[DarrenBanks56]

honestly, I believe you can shift this guy or that guy around, but when all you have is mediocrity, won`t make a lick of a difference

gotta try something different. And I think we should put that floater krejci on Bergys wing

63-42-88
72-37-46
39-51-27
58-28-20

 

[Ryan77]

honestly, I believe you can shift this guy or that guy around, but when all you have is mediocrity, won`t make a lick of a difference

Maybe, maybe not but at this point they have to try something. To win in this league you needs all guys going and right now up front we have three. I love the Bergy line and it is a dominating line but they can't be the only line scoring. Time to try something new. If it's me I'm trying

Marchand bergy Krecji
Vatrano Spooner Pasta
Belesky Backes czarnik
Nash Moore schaller/Hayes

Marchand Krecji Pasta
Belesky bergeron Backes
Vatrano Spooner Czarnik
Nash Moore schaller

Just something to get these guys going because it's just not working as it is right now. When it don't work you tinker and you fix.

At the very least give Krecji a chance to play with talent and let's see where he is at.
If he still stumbles then we know he needs to be moved. Right now he's playing with IMO two third liners and its showing.

 

[Bmessy]

How much RW did this guy play in STL? He just looks bad there.

 

[Krupp]

I wish they'd play him as a Center. Playing wing apparently is not his strong suit. Give him responsibility playing more like a two way forward on the third line, at least he'd be playing more of what he's used to.

I get tired of watching this team takes centers and try to spread them around on the wings. It doesn't seem to be working out too well. Some players just aren't versatile enough to make it work.

22 points. Makes me grimace just thinking about that.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

I understand about the term. But, the Bruins needed vocal, articulate leadership that can back up their words. I realize he's been a minus player lately, and has made some glaring boo-boos, but that's precisely what #42 provides. I forget who they were playing recently
-- TBL, PITT? -- but DB's physical play was spectacular & plainly motivated his teammates.

I couldn't ask for a better leader.

We used to do that with the contracts of Sugar and Ferrence. It's actually possible to have veteran leadership without having contracts that cap-strap and paralyze you for a half a decade.

This was a mistake, I'm certain of it. And using the "leadership" angle is a terrifying and disappointing justification. It's scarier when you consider how much money is tied up in the rest of the core ,and the idea that none of them are vocal leaders either. It means the team construct is flawed to begin with.

And no doubt we haven't been the same team since the leadership of a few vocal roll players left. Replacing their voices with the likes of Hayes and Liles is obviously a disaster.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

I wish they'd play him as a Center. Playing wing apparently is not his strong suit. Give him responsibility playing more like a two way forward on the third line, at least he'd be playing more of what he's used to.

I get tired of watching this team takes centers and try to spread them around on the wings. It doesn't seem to be working out too well. Some players just aren't versatile enough to make it work.

22 points. Makes me grimace just thinking about that.

When he was playing center at beginning of season when Bergy was out he was really doing well.

 

[ON3M4N]

Here's my question. Why in St Louis was Backes consistently toward the top in SH TOI, but in Boston is barley plays any PK? Is last few years in St. Louis he was taking 1,200 face-off's....this year he's taken a total of 50 face-offs.

To be honest it seems like Boston is completely misusing Backes. Maybe that's because they don't have the wingers to play w/ Krejci, but every reason you brought in Backes (outside of leadership) you're not using him for. The guy finished top 5 in the Selke voting 4 of the last 5 years, but suddenly is struggling to play a two-way game.

I personally liked the signing and I still do. I expected his first year to be a little rough, but the mis-use of him isn't helping. He needs to either move back to center or play w/ someone like Pasta or Marchand.

 

[BigBadGritnGrind]

To be it seems like Boston is completely misusing Backes.

Truth. Backes is not good enough on his own offensively to play the wing with Krejci. If you're going to stick him with Krejci and Vatrano, then you're going to have to cycle Krejci down low, put Backes in front of the net, and have Krejci feed Vatrano on the half boards and let Backes do his job screening the goaltender and getting garbage rebounds. The problem with this strategy is Vatrano SUCKS defensively as well as protecting the puck, and he's exposed when he gets checked. There's no way you could pinch with Krug, Chiller or Carlo unless you were desperate.

#42 played well between Marchand and Pasta earlier this year because he didn't have to create the offense, he just needed to be a net-front presence. I'd like to see him center the third line between Spooner and Beleskey, and pair Jimmy Hayes with Krejci and Vatrano. I think it would raise all of their games. But Claude is too stubborn to try.

 

[Oberyn]

Backes played his best hockey on the Blues at center. He consistently up up 55-60 points per season while shutting down opposing top line centers. He played wing last season and had some success, but I've always felt that his game is better suited to the middle of the ice.

Sorry to intrude, just popped by to see how Backes has been doing so far this season.

 

[Alan Ryan]

Backes needs to play in the middle.

Amen. Period Amen.

 

[BNHL]

Here's my question. Why in St Louis was Backes consistently toward the top in SH TOI, but in Boston is barley plays any PK? Is last few years in St. Louis he was taking 1,200 face-off's....this year he's taken a total of 50 face-offs.

To be honest it seems like Boston is completely misusing Backes. Maybe that's because they don't have the wingers to play w/ Krejci, but every reason you brought in Backes (outside of leadership) you're not using him for. The guy finished top 5 in the Selke voting 4 of the last 5 years, but suddenly is struggling to play a two-way game.

I personally liked the signing and I still do. I expected his first year to be a little rough, but the mis-use of him isn't helping. He needs to either move back to center or play w/ someone like Pasta or Marchand.

They brought him in to play wing,play center as needed and leadership. Out of the mouth of DS at the signing. The problem of taking a year to acclimate is his age which is right at the spot where the vast majority of players begin to decline.

 

[BruinDust]

They brought him in to play wing,play center as needed and leadership. Out of the mouth of DS at the signing. The problem of taking a year to acclimate is his age which is right at the spot where the vast majority of players begin to decline.

This has been debunked out of the mouth of Backes himself just after the signing.

So either he's lying, or Sweeney is.

I trust Backes more.

http://nesn.com/2016/07/david-backes-planning-to-play-center-for-bruins-despite-right-wing-needs/

David Backes: "But the idea is that I’d be a center, and you’d have Krejci, Bergeron and myself as the top three centers. However you want to number them, that’s up to you. “But (we’re) all three guys that can kind of share that load and be responsible 200-foot players, and when you share that, I think we’ll have a little bit more juice in the tank when it’s either the end of the game or late in the season when you really need that extra jump.€

 

[finchster]

The Bruins would've been better off going after Kyle Okposo, I wanted no part of Backes.

 

[wintersej]

Bruins need another winger.

Marchand Bergeron
XXX Krejci
Backes Pasta

Could be good "pairs".