Think the contract justifies Army not resigning him. Backes was a great blue and well loved but best days are behind him.
- Gerk

Would have to agree. This is about 3 years too long.

Backes is a great get and i would take him over Loui any day. The price is high but we have a ton of space right now and Chara getting off the books soon.
- Mahewman

That's the price top 6 forwards are getting this draft. It's supply and demand.

Like the style Backes plays. Not too upset about that.

any kind of NMC with Backes?

I love most of you, but I think y'all are craaaaaazy if you're OK with giving an older Backes five years instead of giving Eriksson the same money for six years.

I love most of you, but I think y'all are craaaaaazy if you're OK with giving an older Backes five years instead of giving Eriksson the same money for six years.
- tyanderson

What's Backes' concussion history look like?

I love most of you, but I think y'all are craaaaaazy if you're OK with giving an older Backes five years instead of giving Eriksson the same money for six years.
- tyanderson

Not ok with the term, ok with the money. is there a NMC?

What's Backes' concussion history look like?
- Charlie.Conway

Backes has also played the 14th most minutes among NHL forwards since 2011. Hard minutes, too. I just think the fall is coming a lot sooner than people realize.

Backes has also played the 14th most minutes among NHL forwards since 2011. Hard minutes, too. I just think the fall is coming a lot sooner than people realize.
- tyanderson

I drafted him for my fantasy league last year and definitly noticed a drop in production. Is he really signed to play 3rd line center, or do you think he'll slot in right wing?

More coming? Resigning Khudobin still baffles me.

Backes has also played the 14th most minutes among NHL forwards since 2011. Hard minutes, too. I just think the fall is coming a lot sooner than people realize.
- tyanderson

I think over the course of their contracts, I think the bruins would have got more value out of Eriksson.

I drafted him for my fantasy league last year and definitly noticed a drop in production. Is he really signed to play 3rd line center, or do you think he'll slot in right wing?

More coming? Resigning Khudobin still baffles me.
- Charlie.Conway

It just seems like a case of paying a guy for what he's done and not what will he be by say year three of the contract. And it feels weird to say, "No, Loui's too old to commit this money to!" and then go and do it for a guy that's older, which makes it a wash if it's for one less season haha. Backes also said he thinks he's coming here to play third-line center, so that would mean that Krejci/Spooner would be out -- or that Spooner is shifting to right wing full time. I would prefer Backes at RW, for what it's worth, but I don't know what the plan is right now.

I love the Khudobin re-signing, to be honest. A guy that Julien can actually trust.

Demers is the big name to watch still. It's still a lot of cake though.

It just seems like a case of paying a guy for what he's done and not what will he be by say year three of the contract. And it feels weird to say, "No, Loui's too old to commit this money to!" and then go and do it for a guy that's older, which makes it a wash if it's for one less season haha. Backes also said he thinks he's coming here to play third-line center, so that would mean that Krejci/Spooner would be out -- or that Spooner is shifting to right wing full time. I would prefer Backes at RW, for what it's worth, but I don't know what the plan is right now.

I love the Khudobin re-signing, to be honest. A guy that Julien can actually trust.

Demers is the big name to watch still. It's still a lot of cake though.
- tyanderson

Word. Thanks Ty. Always appreciate the content. Keep it coming!

It just seems like a case of paying a guy for what he's done and not what will he be by say year three of the contract. And it feels weird to say, "No, Loui's too old to commit this money to!" and then go and do it for a guy that's older, which makes it a wash if it's for one less season haha. Backes also said he thinks he's coming here to play third-line center, so that would mean that Krejci/Spooner would be out -- or that Spooner is shifting to right wing full time. I would prefer Backes at RW, for what it's worth, but I don't know what the plan is right now.

I love the Khudobin re-signing, to be honest. A guy that Julien can actually trust.
Demers is the big name to watch still. It's still a lot of cake though.
- tyanderson

What doest his mean for Subban, Smith, and Mcyntire? Is this to plan ahead for expansion draft?

That's the price top 6 forwards are getting this draft. It's supply and demand.

Like the style Backes plays. Not too upset about that.
- Charlie.Conway

I am fine with what they gave him.

What doest his mean for Subban, Smith, and Mcyntire? Is this to plan ahead for expansion draft?
- Charlie.Conway

That was my thought.

Nice work on Backes

I love most of you, but I think y'all are craaaaaazy if you're OK with giving an older Backes five years instead of giving Eriksson the same money for six years.
- tyanderson

I'd prefer Backes over Loui... not crazy on the contract though.

The one year deal that was originally reported sounded GREAT... was floored when I saw $6x5. My only guess is he's the new RW for Bergy/Marchy line. Maybe they think moving to the wing will reduce the wear and tear on him, and allow him to last longer than playing at C? While still knowing he's a reliable C that can take draws.

Either way, I prefer this over Loui at $6x6... I think Backes will bring A LOT to the dressing room... and I question if Loui was any kind of a leader at all. Always seemed like more of a passenger. And really I think that's the biggest part of this signing.

I love most of you, but I think y'all are craaaaaazy if you're OK with giving an older Backes five years instead of giving Eriksson the same money for six years.
- tyanderson

This x 9999

I'd prefer Backes over Loui... not crazy on the contract though.

The one year deal that was originally reported sounded GREAT... was floored when I saw $6x5. My only guess is he's the new RW for Bergy/Marchy line. Maybe they think moving to the wing will reduce the wear and tear on him, and allow him to last longer than playing at C? While still knowing he's a reliable C that can take draws.

Either way, I prefer this over Loui at $6x6... I think Backes will bring A LOT to the dressing room... and I question if Loui was any kind of a leader at all. Always seemed like more of a passenger. And really I think that's the biggest part of this signing.
- mixturebill

Amen. There is a reason Loui has made the playoffs only three times in his career. He will put up points but he is to passive to be a key piece on a winning team. He isnt hard to play against. He only has one mode. He is out there to play hockey, not battle to win games.

Backes Battles.

I'd prefer Backes over Loui... not crazy on the contract though.

The one year deal that was originally reported sounded GREAT... was floored when I saw $6x5. My only guess is he's the new RW for Bergy/Marchy line. Maybe they think moving to the wing will reduce the wear and tear on him, and allow him to last longer than playing at C? While still knowing he's a reliable C that can take draws.

Either way, I prefer this over Loui at $6x6... I think Backes will bring A LOT to the dressing room... and I question if Loui was any kind of a leader at all. Always seemed like more of a passenger. And really I think that's the biggest part of this signing.
- mixturebill

I think this was the plan all along. I think if Boston missed on Backes, Loui stays. Sweeney can't really say "we've agreed in principle to a deal but there's another player wed rather have". I think saying they didn't want to commit term to Loui is BS, they just wanted Backes instead

Connolley signs 1 ye, $850,000 in Washington

What would it take to trade for Trouba? Does Spooner + 1st rounder + Zboril get Winnepeg to consider it? I don't know if I'd want the B's to give up too much more than that. Maybe more/different prospects but not more 1st round picks.

I refuse to believe the "offer sheet" story from those frauds Haggs and Murphy, but even if it were true I think 4 1sts is too much.

Amen. There is a reason Loui has made the playoffs only three times in his career. He will put up points but he is to passive to be a key piece on a winning team. He isnt hard to play against. He only has one mode. He is out there to play hockey, not battle to win games.

Backes Battles.
- Mahewman

Dumb argument. Louie was on a terrible Dallas team, how is that on him? Backes; Blues have either collapsed and missed playoffs or were one and done every single year except this last one pretty much. Cant have it both ways.

Dumb argument. Louie was on a terrible Dallas team, how is that on him? Backes; Blues have either collapsed and missed playoffs or were one and done every single year except this last one pretty much. Cant have it both ways.
- mikeq672

The Bruins want to be tougher to play against. Paying Backes instead of Loui is certainly a start.

Amen. There is a reason Loui has made the playoffs only three times in his career. He will put up points but he is to passive to be a key piece on a winning team. He isnt hard to play against. He only has one mode. He is out there to play hockey, not battle to win games.

Backes Battles.
- Mahewman

Come on man, there's no way you can honestly believe this.

Eriksson battles along the walls, corners, and front of the net. He's a tremendous shot suppressor and one of the toughest wingers to play against, but because he's soft spoken and Swedish, he's not a warrior. And keep in mind Eriksson was one of Boston's better players in his lone postseason run with the Bruins back in 2014, so that's not an accurate assumption.

The Bruins want to be tougher to play against. Paying Backes instead of Loui is certainly a start.
- Mahewman

Yup tougher, also older and slower. So teams like the Penguins and Lightning and half the western conference can skate circles around us