Hey but you still got Backes! There's a great guy but WAYYYYYYYY overpaid!

Hey but you still got Backes! There's a great guy but WAYYYYYYYY overpaid!
- ECBloosier

Yeah he does eat up monies but they'll get some relief in Chara's cap hit next year to help sign Marchand.

When he stays out of the penalty box, he is a complete, talented player. Was very impressed by his play on Team Canada with his speed, shot and willingness to backcheck. He earned his way onto Team Canada and likely a big contract. I hope he drops the dirty side of his game in the NHL and continues to show he is an elite player.

Filppula, Johnson, and a 1st for Marchand
- Feds91Stammer

Not prepared to start liking him in a Blue and White jersey unless he stays out of the penalty box.

He deserves a raise to be sure.

If he can keep his nose (large) clean, i can see paying him that.

However, it seems he only has to look dirty at another player and he gets tossed and subsequently suspended. And every time he gets his weenie whacked by the player safety department, he takes a few weeks to recover and find that balance in his game again.

I like Marchand. I still crack up when i see the replay of him using Sedin's face like a punching bag, "cause i felt like it". He's entertaining to watch on a sometimes borderline boring Bruins squad.

I'd never buy his jersey nor do i ever want to see a captain (A or C) letter on his jersey, but he's good for the team and they should re-sign him without question.
- Charlie.Conway

Why? He is a leader on this team, and beloved in the locker room. Was the exact same for Team Canada at the worlds playing with guys that used to hate his guts. I'd love to see him wear the A. Beisdes Bergy, Marchand is the face of the Bruins right now

With Bergeron as his centerman, the crafty 5-foot-9 winger has worked his way from habitual line-stepper agitator to elite NHL goal scorer.
- Ty

You threw this in for your ol' boy Rick James didn't ya!?

Delete your account
- glove_was_stuck

Hey but you still got Backes! There's a great guy but WAYYYYYYYY overpaid!
- ECBloosier

Blues offered him the same money lol. Just one less year. Definitely not overpaid

Blues offered him the same money lol. Just one less year. Definitely not overpaid
- TylerSeguin19

they are paying Stastny 7m a year, they cant really talk about over paying for UFA Centers

Quotes aren't working (again).

Coming off a career year, Marchand is going to get paid. While I personally don't think he's worth $7 a year, he just put up 37 goals and he does play a strong two way game. I wouldn't mind $7 x 3 or 4, but I really think giving a $7 x 7 contract to a guy that takes effect in his age 29 season is asking for trouble down the road. As mixturebill said above, the Bruins can probably count on a few more great seasons before he starts to drop off - and although Marchand has thus far had a remarkably injury-free career, the punishment he takes night to night on his 5'9" frame as perhaps the league's most famous "pest" is bound to catch up to him sooner or later.

Another reason I dislike the idea of giving him $7 mil per is the fact that prior to this season's explosion of 37 goals, his previous career scoring average is 24.5 goals / year (excluding the lockout year in which he had 18g in 45 games, and his brief first year stint, 0 goals in 20 games in 09-10).

Now, with that said, perhaps Marchand may indeed be a bit of a late bloomer and will continue to produce 30+ goals per year for the next 4-5 years. However, I think the odds are more likely that this year was a bit of a statistical outlier for him and he'll regress back to his mean and average 25g or so for the next several years. The other thing that worries me about Marchand getting long-term, high dollar contract (presumably with either a NMC or NTC) is that Boston will be committing long term big money to yet another aging core member.

Supposing they extend Marchand to a $7x7 contract that takes effect at the end of next season, they'll have:

Krejci (current age 30) @ $7.25 through 2021
Bergeron (current age 31) @ $6.875 through 2022
Backes (current age 32) @ $6 through 2021
Marchand (current age 28) @ $7 through 2023 (hypothetical)

And that's not counting Rask's $7 mil through 2021 as goalies are a bit unique. But supposing that Krejci, Bergeron, Backes and Marchand continue to form the core of the Bruins forwards through 2021, that's $27 million of the Bruin's yearly cap committed to four guys in their mid 30's.

Personally I think Marchand's worth more in the range of $6 mil per year, but if he puts up another 35+ goals in this upcoming season there's no doubt he's going to end up getting $7+, either from the Bruins or on the open market.

edit: sort of off topic but after looking up the cap info for the above players, it once again makes me wonder why the hell the Bruins let Loui Eriksson walk as a UFA and replaced him with Backes. I'd far rather have Eriksson than Backes @ $6 per year; Eriksson is a year younger, with better underlying numbers and not already yet on the downside of his career. I really think replacing Loui with Backes was a step back for the Bruins. If we learned anything from this past season and playoffs, it's that skill and speed are the current keys to winning in the league, and Eriksson is definitely superior to Backes in those areas. But Backes is the prototypical power forward that Boston historically loves, so even though his career is definitely on the decline, here he is.

Quotes aren't working (again).

Coming off a career year, Marchand is going to get paid. While I personally don't think he's worth $7 a year, he just put up 37 goals and he does play a strong two way game. I wouldn't mind $7 x 3 or 4, but I really think giving a $7 x 7 contract to a guy that takes effect in his age 29 season is asking for trouble down the road. As mixturebill said above, the Bruins can probably count on a few more great seasons before he starts to drop off - and although Marchand has thus far had a remarkably injury-free career, the punishment he takes night to night on his 5'9" frame as perhaps the league's most famous "pest" is bound to catch up to him sooner or later.

Another reason I dislike the idea of giving him $7 mil per is the fact that prior to this season's explosion of 37 goals, his previous career scoring average is 24.5 goals / year (excluding the lockout year in which he had 18g in 45 games, and his brief first year stint, 0 goals in 20 games in 09-10).

Now, with that said, perhaps Marchand may indeed be a bit of a late bloomer and will continue to produce 30+ goals per year for the next 4-5 years. However, I think the odds are more likely that this year was a bit of a statistical outlier for him and he'll regress back to his mean and average 25g or so for the next several years. The other thing that worries me about Marchand getting long-term, high dollar contract (presumably with either a NMC or NTC) is that Boston will be committing long term big money to yet another aging core member.

Supposing they extend Marchand to a $7x7 contract that takes effect at the end of next season, they'll have:

Krejci (current age 30) @ $7.25 through 2021
Bergeron (current age 31) @ $6.875 through 2022
Backes (current age 32) @ $6 through 2021
Marchand (current age 28) @ $7 through 2023 (hypothetical)

And that's not counting Rask's $7 mil through 2021 as goalies are a bit unique. But supposing that Krejci, Bergeron, Backes and Marchand continue to form the core of the Bruins forwards through 2021, that's $27 million of the Bruin's yearly cap committed to four guys in their mid 30's.

Personally I think Marchand's worth more in the range of $6 mil per year, but if he puts up another 35+ goals in this upcoming season there's no doubt he's going to end up getting $7+, either from the Bruins or on the open market.
- TheMaritimer

Great blog

Hey but you still got Backes! There's a great guy but WAYYYYYYYY overpaid!
- ECBloosier

If anything, Backes could have gotten more money/ longer term elsewhere. Look at Backes to get back to his 25 goal / 60 point seasons under Julien's system.

Backes was meant to be a Bruin.

If anything, Backes could have gotten more money/ longer term elsewhere. Look at Backes to get back to his 25 goal / 60 point seasons under Julien's system.

Backes was meant to be a Bruin.
- Bruiniak

That is the worst justification for any contract. Usually this excuse is brought to you by bad GMs like Holland and Sweeney.

Good lord even David clarkson had a 30 goal season once wait and see if he can do it again before you give him that kind of money. Jason Blake had a 40 goal season. You don't pay a player that much on one season. But hey Sweeny paid Backes 6 x 5 so I wouldn't put it past him.

Why? He is a leader on this team, and beloved in the locker room. Was the exact same for Team Canada at the worlds playing with guys that used to hate his guts. I'd love to see him wear the A. Beisdes Bergy, Marchand is the face of the Bruins right now
- TylerSeguin19

for some reason i still hold captaincy sacred. I don't think Chara should have had the C before he played a single game as a bruin. I don't think Savard deserved an A on his sweater cause he was an assist machine. I don't consider Marchand a leader. He can score, but that doesn't make him a leader. Also hear he's a Richard in the locker room.

That is the worst justification for any contract. Usually this excuse is brought to you by bad GMs like Holland and Sweeney.
- Feds91Stammer

One of the best 5 contacts handed out on July 1st. Backes gives the Bruins tremendous depth.

I hate the guy, but he is EASILY worth $7 mil per. He is a complete 2-way player and I anticipate both him and his game aging well. It would be really hard for me to accept having The Rat on the Pens, but damn $7 mil seems like a great value for a player of his caliber.

Quotes aren't working (again).

Coming off a career year, Marchand is going to get paid. While I personally don't think he's worth $7 a year, he just put up 37 goals and he does play a strong two way game. I wouldn't mind $7 x 3 or 4, but I really think giving a $7 x 7 contract to a guy that takes effect in his age 29 season is asking for trouble down the road. As mixturebill said above, the Bruins can probably count on a few more great seasons before he starts to drop off - and although Marchand has thus far had a remarkably injury-free career, the punishment he takes night to night on his 5'9" frame as perhaps the league's most famous "pest" is bound to catch up to him sooner or later.

Another reason I dislike the idea of giving him $7 mil per is the fact that prior to this season's explosion of 37 goals, his previous career scoring average is 24.5 goals / year (excluding the lockout year in which he had 18g in 45 games, and his brief first year stint, 0 goals in 20 games in 09-10).

Now, with that said, perhaps Marchand may indeed be a bit of a late bloomer and will continue to produce 30+ goals per year for the next 4-5 years. However, I think the odds are more likely that this year was a bit of a statistical outlier for him and he'll regress back to his mean and average 25g or so for the next several years. The other thing that worries me about Marchand getting long-term, high dollar contract (presumably with either a NMC or NTC) is that Boston will be committing long term big money to yet another aging core member.

Supposing they extend Marchand to a $7x7 contract that takes effect at the end of next season, they'll have:

Krejci (current age 30) @ $7.25 through 2021
Bergeron (current age 31) @ $6.875 through 2022
Backes (current age 32) @ $6 through 2021
Marchand (current age 28) @ $7 through 2023 (hypothetical)

And that's not counting Rask's $7 mil through 2021 as goalies are a bit unique. But supposing that Krejci, Bergeron, Backes and Marchand continue to form the core of the Bruins forwards through 2021, that's $27 million of the Bruin's yearly cap committed to four guys in their mid 30's.

Personally I think Marchand's worth more in the range of $6 mil per year, but if he puts up another 35+ goals in this upcoming season there's no doubt he's going to end up getting $7+, either from the Bruins or on the open market.

edit: sort of off topic but after looking up the cap info for the above players, it once again makes me wonder why the hell the Bruins let Loui Eriksson walk as a UFA and replaced him with Backes. I'd far rather have Eriksson than Backes @ $6 per year; Eriksson is a year younger, with better underlying numbers and not already yet on the downside of his career. I really think replacing Loui with Backes was a step back for the Bruins. If we learned anything from this past season and playoffs, it's that skill and speed are the current keys to winning in the league, and Eriksson is definitely superior to Backes in those areas. But Backes is the prototypical power forward that Boston historically loves, so even though his career is definitely on the decline, here he is.
- TheMaritimer

Basically meaning the window is now. Makes it even crazier the only really good young Dmen was traded last season.

Good lord even David clarkson had a 30 goal season once wait and see if he can do it again before you give him that kind of money. Jason Blake had a 40 goal season. You don't pay a player that much on one season. But hey Sweeny paid Backes 6 x 5 so I wouldn't put it past him.
- Santo_44

Looking simply at goal scoring is a very limited way to evaluate a player. Look at his underlying numbers - he helps his team and his linemates tremendously. Very few players in the league have better underlying numbers than Marchand.

One of the best 5 contacts handed out on July 1st. Backes gives the Bruins tremendous depth.
- Bruiniak

You can't be serious

Guy deserves every penny. I dont know how I feel about 7 years, but 5 at 7 per is fair for sure. He plays on the edge, yes, but he is a guy that helps you win for sure. I'm a big fan. Would love him in a Hawks jersey!

You can't be serious
- Feds91Stammer

We still can't tell if he is or just trolling... it's been like this since he appeared on this site.

just below the likes of wingers such as Ottawa’s Bobby Ryan ($7.25 million) and Vladimir Tarasenko ($7.5 million). It would also make Marchand the second-highest paid Boston forward behind David Krejci’s $7.25 million cap hit.

You can't be serious
- Feds91Stammer

I don't get the hate for the Backes signing. I really don't. The guy scored 26 goals and 58 points just one year ago. He had an average year this past season but scored 14 pts in the playoffs. He'll be counted on to play the PP, PK and center the 3rd line. He'll slide up when injuries occur. I'm not expecting him to score 80 pts but I think 25 goals/ 25 assists is a reasonable expectation. He's the kind of player that you need to succeed in the playoffs. A team like the Panthers, for example, got players that will be great in the regular season but not so much in the playoffs.