Player Discussion David Backes

[Jean_Jacket41]

wish we could say the same about the D which is, at this point, still a huge concern

Excited about the kids in the system on the way up but they are a year or more away

McAvoy 16
Carlo 15
Zboril 15
Lauzon 15
Lindgren 16
Grzelcyk 12
O'Gara 11
Johansson 14

We'll see some of them make the jump in the next few years, be traded for immediate help or busting out. Let's just wait and see but plenty to like out of that group that doesn't even include C.Miller or Morrow who can still take the next step in the upcoming years.

 

[Gee Wally]

New Bruin David Backes has a history of solving problems

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/b...ng-problems/TQOYj6qHpvo09QANcI3B9H/story.html

 

[Salem13]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=91499&stc=1&d=1472350881

 

[ODAAT]

McAvoy 16
Carlo 15
Zboril 15
Lauzon 15
Lindgren 16
Grzelcyk 12
O'Gara 11
Johansson 14

We'll see some of them make the jump in the next few years, be traded for immediate help or busting out. Let's just wait and see but plenty to like out of that group that doesn't even include C.Miller or Morrow who can still take the next step in the upcoming years.

Nice to see, I know not all will pan out and/or wear the Spoked B jersey but can you recall a time when this organization was this rich with prospects that look this promising? I can`t but that doesn`t mean it`s not happened

 

[ODAAT]

New Bruin David Backes has a history of solving problems

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/b...ng-problems/TQOYj6qHpvo09QANcI3B9H/story.html

please, sounds like he`d rather rescue and play with dogs rather than bust arse on the ice

All seriousness, seems like a guy who, along with his wife, have a great deal of compassion and aren`t one`s to just put lip service to a cause, but back it up big time

Excited to see what affect his presence will have. Automatically in my good books for a) being so devoted to rescue shelters and b) one of his dogs being a Beagle

 

[DKH]

Good stuff here

http://www.csnne.com/gallery/boston-bruins/countdown-camp-david-backes

I've asked enough folks what they think of Backes if this was 3 years and it's universal two thumbs up. Where the thumbs start turning is year 4 and a lot in 5. You don't get the player without year 5 and there is no guarantee he will be a stiff.

The Bruins also need to compete now and I know if I am GM I don't really care about 25 HF posters or some talk show callers who are worried about 2021.

Good series by Haggs I'm enjoying it and his commentary/assessment is overall very good

 

[EverettMike]

Good stuff here

http://www.csnne.com/gallery/boston-bruins/countdown-camp-david-backes

I've asked enough folks what they think of Backes if this was 3 years and it's universal two thumbs up. Where the thumbs start turning is year 4 and a lot in 5. You don't get the player without year 5 and there is no guarantee he will be a stiff.

The Bruins also need to compete now and I know if I am GM I don't really care about 25 HF posters or some talk show callers who are worried about 2021.

Good series by Haggs I'm enjoying it and his commentary/assessment is overall very good

Where is the guarantee he is worth the deal for the first three years? Doesn't it work both ways? I'm worried about those years too, since he's already 32 and plays a heavy game in a league getting younger and faster.

And no one has championed Sweeney more by talking about his plans for the future, about building through the draft, about waiting for those prospects (especially on D) than you, but now you say he doesn't give a **** about 2021?

Which is it? Is he thinking about 3-5 years down the line or not?

In defending him you summed up my whole problem with the Bruins organization currently (and I blame all of management and the owner, not just Sweeney). They are trying to do two things at once and I find that leads to prolonged mediocrity, which I experienced for most of my life where the ECF was a pipe dream, and I don't care to relive that for another decade.

 

[BNHL]

Good stuff here

http://www.csnne.com/gallery/boston-bruins/countdown-camp-david-backes

I've asked enough folks what they think of Backes if this was 3 years and it's universal two thumbs up. Where the thumbs start turning is year 4 and a lot in 5. You don't get the player without year 5 and there is no guarantee he will be a stiff.

The Bruins also need to compete now and I know if I am GM I don't really care about 25 HF posters or some talk show callers who are worried about 2021.

Good series by Haggs I'm enjoying it and his commentary/assessment is overall very good

Straight up,Eriksson for Backes is negative net worth in every year of the contract,in my opinion.

 

[DKH]

Where is the guarantee he is worth the deal for the first three years? Doesn't it work both ways? I'm worried about those years too, since he's already 32 and plays a heavy game in a league getting younger and faster.

And no one has championed Sweeney more by talking about his plans for the future, about building through the draft, about waiting for those prospects (especially on D) than you, but now you say he doesn't give a **** about 2021?

Which is it? Is he thinking about 3-5 years down the line or not?

In defending him you summed up my whole problem with the Bruins organization currently (and I blame all of management and the owner, not just Sweeney). They are trying to do two things at once and I find that leads to prolonged mediocrity, which I experienced for most of my life where the ECF was a pipe dream, and I don't care to relive that for another decade.

I can only think of myself but I'd kind of rather have Backes the next few years than not and increase my chances of having a job in 2021.

Does Sweeney have a better chance of being employed with Backes or without

I love the signing. I don't expect it to be 100-0. I'm ok with 87.2-12.8 or whatever the stats were last time I checked in favor of the deal

Doesn't mean I will be right but I'm on record as identitying him as the best fit and they got him

 

[DKH]

Straight up,Eriksson for Backes is negative net worth in every year of the contract,in my opinion.

I don't agree at all but we will find out in 6 years

 

[BNHL]

I don't agree at all but we will find out in 6 years

I think we will find out year after year.

 

[bp13]

Good stuff here

http://www.csnne.com/gallery/boston-bruins/countdown-camp-david-backes

I've asked enough folks what they think of Backes if this was 3 years and it's universal two thumbs up. Where the thumbs start turning is year 4 and a lot in 5. You don't get the player without year 5 and there is no guarantee he will be a stiff.

The Bruins also need to compete now and I know if I am GM I don't really care about 25 HF posters or some talk show callers who are worried about 2021.

Good series by Haggs I'm enjoying it and his commentary/assessment is overall very good

Huh? You can't possibly convince me that the GM thinks this team can "win now". If he wanted to win now, he wouldn't have kept every top couple round pick he's had the last few years and he would have upgraded on defense, no matter what it takes. This defense is terrible and I don't think anyone could make the case that they're trying to win now.

Of course, if your definition of "win now" is maybe make the playoffs to save some jobs and buy some time, then sure. But my argument all along has been that that's a selfish reason to commit to a 32-year old whose contract may kill you in 3-4 years when your team might actually be good. So let's change "win now" to "not lose any more fans now" and "maybe keep my job so I can see my retool project through". That's a decent defense for the Backes signing. I don't like it one bit, but it's logical at least.

 

[DKH]

Huh? You can't possibly convince me that the GM thinks this team can "win now". If he wanted to win now, he wouldn't have kept every top couple round pick he's had the last few years and he would have upgraded on defense, no matter what it takes. This defense is terrible and I don't think anyone could make the case that they're trying to win now.

Of course, if your definition of "win now" is maybe make the playoffs to save some jobs and buy some time, then sure. But my argument all along has been that that's a selfish reason to commit to a 32-year old whose contract may kill you in 3-4 years when your team might actually be good.

Go spend some time reading the Sharks board and Penguins board this year. They were talking about blowing it up even at the trade deadline

If HF did wipe out 2011 March posts you could read 90% of the Bruins posters wanting to blow it up.

I respect your hockey knowledge I just don't agree. If you and others want to think I am way off or don't know what I'm talking about no problem that's what makes being a fan a fan.

I see a franchise that's bottoming out in the 90 + point range and heading back up

I also love the Backes deal and think Sweeney was bang on getting him

That's me I'm sure a lot don't agree but all good

 

[bp13]

Straight up,Eriksson for Backes is negative net worth in every year of the contract,in my opinion.

Tough one.

In this current year, with this horrendous defense, I think the Bruins might be better off with a Selke candidate center than a damn-close defensively yet slightly better offensively winger. I mean this defense needs a lot of help to be NHL acceptable, so I would actually argue Backes provides more help than Loui.

Now, in 2-3 years I think that table turns clearly. And since I think this year and next are already lost causes, I'd rather be on the hook for Loui at 6x6 than Backes at 5x6. But if I could have either one on a 1 year deal for same money, this year, I take Backes.

 

[bp13]

Go spend some time reading the Sharks board and Penguins board this year. They were talking about blowing it up even at the trade deadline

If HF did wipe out 2011 March posts you could read 90% of the posters wanting to blow it up.

I respect your hockey knowledge I just don't agree. If you and others want to think I am way off or don't know what I'm talking about no problem that's what makes being a fan a fan.

I see a franchise that's bottoming out in the 90 + point range and heading back up

I also love the Backes deal

That's me I'm sure a lot don't agree but all good

Dan you're speaking in generalities. Let's be clear...do you think this Bruins team can compete for a Cup in the next 2 years? If so (and I can't imagine how), do you see it with basically this defense, or is there some addition you are counting on that we've all yet to see?

 

[DKH]

Dan you're speaking in generalities. Let's be clear...do you think this Bruins team can compete for a Cup in the next 2 years? If so (and I can't imagine how), do you see it with basically this defense, or is there some addition you are counting on that we've all yet to see?

I think they are good enough to compete for a playoff spot step 1.

Then I will reaccess Jan 1 when I see what the Spooners Vatrano's Pastas Heinens Chillers etc is

I didn't think the Bruins could have won a Cup in 2011 or that the Sharks in 2016 would even make the playoffs let alone go to the finals

Heck at week 14 I thought the Broncos might not even make the playoffs last year

I have enough information to believe they can make playoffs but not enough to know if they are a Cup favorite

If Pasta and Vatrano are 20 goal scorers like TSN predicts and the core puts up the numbers they project they will score - I will be at Providence early on so I'll get a read on the D FWIW.

Playoff team yes as of 9/13

On 2/28 trade deadline I'll let you know if they can be the Sharks or Pens.

As Capitals and Chicago fans can tell you September doesn't mean much

 

[bp13]

I think they are good enough to compete for a playoff spot step 1.

Then I will reaccess Jan 1 when I see what the Spooners Vatrano's Pastas Heinens Chillers etc is

I didn't think the Bruins could have won a Cup in 2011 or that the Sharks in 2016 would even make the playoffs let alone go to the finals

Heck at week 14 I thought the Broncos might not even make the playoffs last year

I have enough information to believe they can make playoffs but not enough to know if they are a Cup favorite

If Pasta and Vatrano are 20 goal scorers like TSN predicts and the core puts up the numbers they project they will score - I will be at Providence early on so I'll get a read on the D FWIW.

Playoff team yes as of 9/13

On 2/28 trade deadline I'll let you know if they can be the Sharks or Pens.

As Capitals and Chicago fans can tell you September doesn't mean much

Okay so I'd challenge you this way.

This is the exact same defense that they had last season except they've bought out Seids, and now they "have" Liles for an entire season. But otherwise, nothing has changed. Moreover, your best dman, whose play slipped as the year wore on, just got another year older. So I think this defense went from a non-playoff defense to at best status quo, possibly worse. Up front I like the forwards in that I think it's a playoff worthy forward group. Good, not great.

But I think what shows they can't possibly be a Cup contender is that even in 2011 you came in with a "nucleus". Bergy, Krejci, Horton, solid 4th line, reliable #1 dman and two quality goalies. Now your 3rd-4th lines are at best less proven but likely worse, and most importantly, you don't have a #1 or a #2 dman. When's the last time a team "won" knowing for certain they didn't have a #1 or #2 dman? The Bruins know that for sure. That's a tough spot. Nermind that the other two pairings aren't great shakes either...what's the last team to win a Cup who entered they year knowing they didn't have a #1 or #2 Dman?***

*** Just looked it up...maybe the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes.

 

[DKH]

Okay so I'd challenge you this way.

This is the exact same defense that they had last season except they've bought out Seids, and now they "have" Liles for an entire season. But otherwise, nothing has changed. Moreover, your best dman, whose play slipped as the year wore on, just got another year older. So I think this defense went from a non-playoff defense to at best status quo, possibly worse. Up front I like the forwards in that I think it's a playoff worthy forward group. Good, not great.

But I think what shows they can't possibly be a Cup contender is that even in 2011 you came in with a "nucleus". Bergy, Krejci, Horton, solid 4th line, reliable #1 dman and two quality goalies. Now your 3rd-4th lines are at best less proven but likely worse, and most importantly, you don't have a #1 or a #2 dman. When's the last time a team "won" knowing for certain they didn't have a #1 or #2 dman? The Bruins know that for sure. That's a tough spot. Nermind that the other two pairings aren't great shakes either...what's the last team to contend for a Cup who entered they year knowing they didn't have a #1 or #2 Dman?

Krug is healthy on D and Grzelcyk OGara Lauzon Zboril and Carlo are one year and a lot of hockey closer than last year as is Chiller.

On paper right now I see Capitals and Tampa- maybe the Pens. The rest not buying. The West I see Predetors and Stars.

Many of the other 25 teams have as many holes in them as Bonnie & Clyde's Ford.

 

[BNHL]

Tough one.

In this current year, with this horrendous defense, I think the Bruins might be better off with a Selke candidate center than a damn-close defensively yet slightly better offensively winger. I mean this defense needs a lot of help to be NHL acceptable, so I would actually argue Backes provides more help than Loui.

Now, in 2-3 years I think that table turns clearly. And since I think this year and next are already lost causes, I'd rather be on the hook for Loui at 6x6 than Backes at 5x6. But if I could have either one on a 1 year deal for same money, this year, I take Backes.

I think there will be a 15-20 point gap in their offensive outputs alone. Defensively,for me,it's a wash at best but I think someone pointed out some metrics that showed Eriksson to be superior there too.

 

[VanIsle]

Straight up,Eriksson for Backes is negative net worth in every year of the contract,in my opinion.

Eriksson will play with the Sedins exclusively.

Backes could/will play less as the Bruins tend to filter the minutes through all lines then ride the so called top line.

Hard to say, lets see points/minutes played in the future and find out.

 

[bp13]

I think there will be a 15-20 point gap in their offensive outputs alone. Defensively,for me,it's a wash at best but I think someone pointed out some metrics that showed Eriksson to be superior there too.

Well prepare yourself because clearly Loui will outproduce Backes playing with the Sedin twins. I mean that's not even a fair comparison as Backes very possibly will have Hayes on the RW. I can see the complaining now but it's just not a fair comparison.

Backes is a solid player. I mean if Sweeney had added the Dman we all thought he would, Id have been okay with Backes if this was a 4 year deal. But the combination of the 5th year and the fact the first year+ is lost thanks to no D makes it a tough pill to swallow for me.

 

[DKH]

Eriksson will play with the Sedins exclusively.

Backes could/will play less as the Bruins tend to filter the minutes through all lines then ride the so called top line.

Hard to say, lets see points/minutes played in the future and find out.

Martellus Bennett was great Sunday night in a football sense. In fantasy points he sucked.

David Backes will help Boston win games.

Hopefully he will help the other centers and defense the way Bennett took on Chandler Jones and sealed the edge and provided support to Fleming.

Agree Loui will get 70 points and Backes 50 but there is more to it

 

[PlayMakers]

I don't agree at all but we will find out in 6 years

I don't either.

I also think they're good enough as is to be a playoff team. The kids have to develop, there's going to be a lot of pressure on Colin Miller, but it was nice to see an impartial 3rd party like TSN predict 20 goal seasons from Vatrano and Pastrnak, to go along with solid seasons from Backes, Krejci, Marchand and Bergeron.

 

[DKH]

I don't either.

I also think they're good enough as is to be a playoff team. The kids have to develop, there's going to be a lot of pressure on Colin Miller, but it was nice to see an impartial 3rd party like TSN predict 20 goal seasons from Vatrano and Pastrnak, to go along with solid seasons from Backes, Krejci, Marchand and Bergeron.

This is like being endorsed by
Military
Police & Firefighters
Teachers
Girl Scouts
Tom Brady & Roger Goodell
Fire Sweeney
Bob McKenzie

 

[BNHL]

Well prepare yourself because clearly Loui will outproduce Backes playing with the Sedin twins. I mean that's not even a fair comparison as Backes very possibly will have Hayes on the RW. I can see the complaining now but it's just not a fair comparison.

Backes is a solid player. I mean if Sweeney had added the Dman we all thought he would, Id have been okay with Backes if this was a 4 year deal. But the combination of the 5th year and the fact the first year+ is lost thanks to no D makes it a tough pill to swallow for me.

To make it more fair,I'll say Loui's production last year will be about 15 points more than Backes this year.