Player Discussion David Backes

[Ice Nine]

Don't want to discuss Seguin too much, other than to say that even though Jagr didn't have success with that line, it still played a HELL of a lot better after he replaced TS.

And I share your concerns about who plays with Krejci. It's an uncertainty and I really don't know how it best shakes out.

But I'd rather ambiguity with lines 2&3 than suggest a lineup that I'm fairly certain to be less effective with Pastrnak on Bergeron's right.

Perhaps Vatrano proves to be the fix there?

Marchand - Bergeron - Vatrano
Vesey/Heinen - Krejci - Backes
Beleskey - Spooner - Pastrnak

I just don't know.

Not a bad idea there trying Vatrano on the off-wing, which allows us to re-unite Spooner and Pasta on the third line, leaving Hayes (thankfully) for the fourth.

But yeah, it's not easy making it work right now, especially as it would be putting a lot of pressure on Vatrano/Vesey to play top line or top six matchups. With Bergeron, they're going to be playing against the league's best.

Hmmmm

 

[DKH]

This 100%.

Krejci in my opinion, is just an average defence player and would benefit from Backes. Backes brings nothing to the Bergeron line, hitting and grit are unnecessary there, Pastrnak with Bergeron makes the most sense.

Bergeron looks left and Marchand is more a shooter - Pastrnak is wasted on that line to me

Backes should be used based on situation but offers valuable flexibility as a center and wing offers size and leadership

I always like it when the Bruins make moves I would - tells me they get it

 

[ashnathan]

Bergeron looks left and Marchand is more a shooter - Pastrnak is wasted on that line to me

Backes should be used based on situation but offers valuable flexibility as a center and wing offers size and leadership

I always like it when the Bruins make moves I would - tells me they get it

 

[don]

On second thought, Backes may play C the whole year. I forgot about Nash. I think he'll play on Bergeron's RW, at least to start. I see no way Pasta moves off of Krejci's line. IF Krejci is healthy we're going to be fantastic down the middle.

 

[ODAAT]

On second thought, Backes may play C the whole year. I forgot about Nash. I think he'll play on Bergeron's RW, at least to start. I see no way Pasta moves off of Krejci's line. IF Krejci is healthy we're going to be fantastic down the middle.

You honestly think Nash will be the RW on Bergy`s line? Not arguing knowing little about his game but isn`t that a bit too high up in the lineup to place Nash who, from what I`m reading is a nice player but one who`s best suited for a bottom 6 role?

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Not a bad idea there trying Vatrano on the off-wing, which allows us to re-unite Spooner and Pasta on the third line, leaving Hayes (thankfully) for the fourth.

But yeah, it's not easy making it work right now, especially as it would be putting a lot of pressure on Vatrano/Vesey to play top line or top six matchups. With Bergeron, they're going to be playing against the league's best.

Hmmmm

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Vatrano had been playing his off-wing (fairly successfully) during Worlds. So it's reasonable to think he could play either side this upcoming season (depending on where everything else falls)

 

[Ice Nine]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Vatrano had been playing his off-wing (fairly successfully) during Worlds. So it's reasonable to think he could play either side this upcoming season (depending on where everything else falls)

No idea. Could be right.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

You honestly think Nash will be the RW on Bergy`s line? Not arguing knowing little about his game but isn`t that a bit too high up in the lineup to place Nash who, from what I`m reading is a nice player but one who`s best suited for a bottom 6 role?

if nash is the best player on the line... the line should be your 4th line

if the game is late and you need a goal... nash should be on the bench while his linemates get a new member...

but if you are asking for a complementory player willing and able to pick up defensive assignments while still pocessing a minor amount of offensive skill so he doesnt kill every chance his line gets... nash is probably our second best option after backes to skate 13 mins of even strength hockey with bergeron and marchand.

id guess in impotant moments of a game, backes slides in but i expect nash is the regular guy

 

[bruins51]

wrong thread lol

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

 

[talkinaway]

His first media availability is tomorrow, at the MSPCA, which I assume is at Angell Memorial. I have a soft spot for that place - a little over a year ago, my mealy Amazon Shakey died there. Hopefully someone lobs a question about his visit there - they do a lot of great work, both as a vet clinic and as an adoption center.

 

[Ogrim]

There's still some confusion here regarding what role Backes was promised and/or will play. Here (again) is the article.

http://bruins.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=47079

Both Sweeney and Backes left open the possibility of Backes moving from center to the wing. [---] “I’m into winning games, so if Claude thinks that we’re going to win more games with me playing wing then I’m in,†said Backes. “If he thinks that we’re going to win more games with me playing center, I’m in. Whatever he thinks, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.â

 

[BruinDust]

This 100%.

Krejci in my opinion, is just an average defence player and would benefit from Backes. Backes brings nothing to the Bergeron line, hitting and grit are unnecessary there, Pastrnak with Bergeron makes the most sense.

Once again Claude Julien disagrees. He wants a winger on Bergeron's right side he has trust in defensively. Which is not Pastrnak unfortunately.

We all know the Claude template by now, and how he views certain players on this team, how he likes to use particular lines.

 

[ODAAT]

There's still some confusion here regarding what role Backes was promised and/or will play. Here (again) is the article.

http://bruins.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=47079

love that "I`m into winning games" quote, as a fan, I enjoy watching wins

 

[BNHL]

There's still some confusion here regarding what role Backes was promised and/or will play. Here (again) is the article.

http://bruins.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=47079

In my opinion he should play wing with Krejci and allow Spooner to grow at 3rd line center.

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

Looks like Backes will be sticking with #42.

 

[AlpineLager]

Looks like he's worn that jersey his whole life.

Love it!

 

[Fonzerelli]

I'm pretty excited about this move. Backes was born to be a Bruin

 

[Dellstrom]

I'm pretty excited about this move. Backes was born to be a Bruin

For sure. You can debate the term and $ all you want, but he's a perfect fit here. I'm sure he'll be a fan favorite.

 

[PB37]

Get excited.

 

[KnightofBoston]

In my opinion he should play wing with Krejci and allow Spooner to grow at 3rd line center.

Agreed

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

In my opinion he should play wing with Krejci and allow Spooner to grow at 3rd line center.

Or play as the 3rd line C and give the Bruins a 3rd line that is not a mess 5 on 5...

Backes will likely play C 5 on 5 and give the Bruins the best depth leaguewide roilling Bergy-Krejci-Backes shift after shift. Overload on the PP and late in games needing a goal/preventing a goal and put him next to Bergy/Krejci.

As for Spooner, I would trade him+ for the best possible D possible. That doesn't have to be before the season. Whenever that trade becomes possible. Until then, play him at wing+PP or some C shift when Backes gets that W job next to Bergy/Krejci.

Overall, many lineup options with Backes. great signing.

March-Bergy-Heinen
Vesey-Krejci-Pasta
Beleskey-Backes-Vatrano

 

[Alan Ryan]

Or play as the 3rd line C and give the Bruins a 3rd line that is not a mess 5 on 5...

Backes will likely play C 5 on 5 and give the Bruins the best depth leaguewide roilling Bergy-Krejci-Backes shift after shift. Overload on the PP and late in games needing a goal/preventing a goal and put him next to Bergy/Krejci.

As for Spooner, I would trade him+ for the best possible D possible. That doesn't have to be before the season. Whenever that trade becomes possible. Until then, play him at wing+PP or some C shift when Backes gets that W job next to Bergy/Krejci.

Overall, many lineup options with Backes. great signing.

March-Bergy-Heinen
Vesey-Krejci-Pasta
Beleskey-Backes-Vatrano

That's my preference. Backes as third line center gives the Bruins real strength down the middle, offensively and defensively. Much better than Spooner in that role.

As you noted the team has a lot of options on the wing now, with versatility. The youngsters can shine with talented, experienced centers in Bergeron, Krejci and Backes.

 

[TwineTickler]

Get excited.

So many net front/tip goals.... he will be the best net front player this team has seen in quite some time.

 

[BruinDust]

That's my preference. Backes as third line center gives the Bruins real strength down the middle, offensively and defensively. Much better than Spooner in that role.

As you noted the team has a lot of options on the wing now, with versatility. The youngsters can shine with talented, experienced centers in Bergeron, Krejci and Backes.

In a system like Julien's that places so much responsibility on his centers down low in the defensive zone, I expect Backes to see at minimum 80% of his time this season at C.

From a two-way defensive standpoint, is there a better group of C in the league than 37-46-42.

Let the young guys like Pastrnak, Spooner, Vatrano, maybe Heinen, and hopefully Vesey, do their thing creating offense on the wing with 3 top end two-way centers holding down the fort in the defensive zone.

Toss in Backes ability to play RW on a top line, he can take face-offs and kill penalties, be a supreme net-front presence on the PP, provide a different kind of leadership in the room, etc. etc. this signing makes so much sense for Boston it's not even funny.