Player Discussion David Backes

[RussellmaniaKW]

maybe when Senyshyn, Debrusk, Cehlarik, Gabrielle, etc are on the team playing wing then they can afford to play Backes at center but until that day he's one of their only options at RW.

 

[Buckets and Gloves]

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.

No intrusion at all.

If fans of other teams are respectable and good mannered like yourself I think it's great to hear other opinions from other fans to read, they generally offer a unique outlook that Bruins fans would not have otherwise.

 

[BNHL]

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

I agree

 

[Gordoff]

Backes needs to prove his worth and pick it up. If he's more comfortable at center, put him there. He seemed a little afraid to play his game under CJ, let's hope that the case and we see a reinvigorated David Backes from here on out.

 

[badbrewin]

Given the Backes signing has not yielded the expected value, one could argue he was one of the contributors to Julien's demise.

For $6M/yr, the least he could've done was sob a little for CJ in front of media.

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

Given the Backes signing has not yielded the expected value, one could argue he was one of the contributors to Julien's demise.

For $6M/yr, the least he could've done was sob a little for CJ in front of media.

Sweeney, Neely, the players and Julien himself all are responsible for his departure. In that order.

 

[Dr Quincy]

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.

If you had a piece of magic rope that was a rain keeper-awayer, and yet it poured most days, would you think it's working?

Just exactly what about this edition of the B's makes you think that their leadership has made them better than they would be?

Do they play big in important games? No
Do they come out ready to play most nights? No
Do they do well when behind by 1 goal? No (in fact, I posted a stat the other night that showed they were 29th in the league with that)

You can absolutely believe that Backes is a wonderful leader, but there really doesn't seem to be 1 shred of proof that it's having any effect on the team winning.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Sweeney, Neely, the players and Julien himself all are responsible for his departure. In that order.

I think it's Sweeney and Neely as a whole / Management (indecision of direction of the team, as well as personell decisions, it goes to both of them as management.) Then the players and Julien tied after that. The players were so inconsistent, but Julien notoriously didn't use players to their strengths. Julien lived and died by his system. It's gone now, so we can see what the players look like out of it for once, before seeing them play in a new one. Julien/Players/System were all tied together. Sweeney/Neely, just assembled the team, and didn't give a whole lot of direction.

Sweeney trades away two core players, then doesn't replace them.
Then during deadline goes off and buys rentals, which didn't even get the team into the playoffs anyways.
Bruins lose assets in the off-season for nothing (Eriksson, Connolly both specifically)
Sign Backes, but still don't address defense issue.
Now they are in a worst spot than last year, but somehow have the same expectations?

Couple that with underperformances by some of our highest paid players, and it's a recipe for what just happened. The next move is a roster blow up, which I'm more than happy to see.

 

[World of Wardlow]

I like Backes, but I don't understand Sweeney & Neely saying they want to be faster, and up-tempo beat while signing Beleskey, Backes and Hayes. Something's not right.

 

[BNHL]

I like Backes, but I don't understand Sweeney & Neely saying they want to be faster, and up-tempo beat while signing Beleskey, Backes and Hayes. Something's not right.

They want leadership,they wanted heaviness,they want quickness,they want to win now,they want to win later........

 

[World of Wardlow]

They want leadership,they wanted heaviness,they want quickness,they want to win now,they want to win later........

very disorganized organization. The good/decent days under Chiarelli and Claude are over ... back to how it's been since Jacobs took over the team (until a year before PC & Claude came into the picture).

 

[Got One Cup]

Sorry to hear Backes isn't playing up to your guys expectations but it's still early to write this off as a bad signing isn't it. The guy is a warrior and is sorely missed back here in STL. I see some saying put him at Center, that is exactly where he needs to be to play to his best abilities. He will shut down top lines while putting up points. I'll always wish Backes well, If the Blues can't win the cup then I'll hope the Bruins do while he's with you guys.

 

[BluesTraveler]

Sorry to hear Backes isn't playing up to your guys expectations but it's still early to write this off as a bad signing isn't it. The guy is a warrior and is sorely missed back here in STL. I see some saying put him at Center, that is exactly where he needs to be to play to his best abilities. He will shut down top lines while putting up points. I'll always wish Backes well, If the Blues can't win the cup then I'll hope the Bruins do while he's with you guys.

It takes a lot of optimism to think that Backes is going to start improving, especially when he's turning 33 in a few months.

 

[Got One Cup]

It takes a lot of optimism to think that Backes is going to start improving, especially when he's turning 33 in a few months.

Not saying it's going to improve. More maybe he hasn't adjusted yet or is not being utilized properly? He's one of the best defensive forwards in the league but I don't see him on the PK. As far as putting up points he's very good at deflections and rebounds in front of the net, just gotta get the puck through from the point.

 

[LouJersey]

Signing Backes to be a winger was foolhardy. He's a center and a very good one in that. I'm hoping they move him back soon.

 

[Dr Quincy]

Not saying it's going to improve. More maybe he hasn't adjusted yet or is not being utilized properly? He's one of the best defensive forwards in the league but I don't see him on the PK. As far as putting up points he's very good at deflections and rebounds in front of the net, just gotta get the puck through from the point.

I'm not the biggest Julien fan in the world (nor am I the most anti-Claude either) but I'll give this to him: He knows what to do with defensive forwards and how to utilize them.

If Backes isn't performing, it's on him, not Claude.

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

Sorta unrelated. Seems to me when a team fails to bring back "on of their own" such as Ericsson, the team has to spend about the same money acquiring some one else, even if the fit isn't right or maybe it's an overpayment.
Isles did it with Okposo (although 6m is steep) but compounded the mistake by signing Ladd at 5.5m of 7 years. That ain't going to work long term.

 

[Bruins1993]

Need more from this guy

 

[ON3M4N]

Need more from this guy

He just had a 1G/2A nigth again SJS lol. He's starting to look better playing w/ Bergy and Marchy. Hopefully they can click because that's a tough line to play against.

 

[Johnny4778]

The same people that wanted Loui signed long term are running down Backes. For the record Backes has more goals assists points and like 130+ more hits than Erickson. Not to mentioned five or six less games. The guy has played half a season in a Bruins uniform. If that is how we judge players then no one will ever fit. Hard to believe we go after a player who has two nagging injuries, is learning a new coach for the second time in under 50 games and of course a new team. I have worked for the same company and change jobs and territories 8 times. It take a good half a year + to learn the people, the territory and expectations of your new position.

 

[BNHL]

The same people that wanted Loui signed long term are running down Backes. For the record Backes has more goals assists points and like 130+ more hits than Erickson. Not to mentioned five or six less games. The guy has played half a season in a Bruins uniform. If that is how we judge players then no one will ever fit. Hard to believe we go after a player who has two nagging injuries, is learning a new coach for the second time in under 50 games and of course a new team. I have worked for the same company and change jobs and territories 8 times. It take a good half a year + to learn the people, the territory and expectations of your new position.

Should have been around for the relentless attacks against Loui after 2 concussions. BTW,comparing Loui's output with Backes is silly. One plays with Krejci or Bergeron and the other with Sutter or Granlund. All those hits don't amount to wins,it amounts to noise. Like his effort though.

 

[ChargersRookie]

These 2 players don't compare with each other. They do have the same stats though. I am a little disappointed in seeing Backes' +/- but he has the hits that Loui can never get.
You you start to compare then you see how different they are.

 

[DKH]

Tanev got hit by Backes so much today he's going to be asked why he got a 42 tattoo

 

[DKH]

Need more from this guy

Try to get your hands on the last 2 games

 

[DKH]

I'm not the biggest Julien fan in the world (nor am I the most anti-Claude either) but I'll give this to him: He knows what to do with defensive forwards and how to utilize them.

If Backes isn't performing, it's on him, not Claude.

2 games without Claude 2 strong games

He played the most physical game I've seen a Bruins has this year