Ty Anderson: Bruins sign David Backes, bring Liles, Khudobin back

That Chara-Liles paring is so sexy. They should both do a just for mens touch of grey commercial.

Eriksson doesn't need to dive down and block shots and steal highlights because he's always in the right position defensively. He's tough to play against defensively. It's why the Bruins put him next to Carl Soderberg, an absolute trainwreck in his own zone, for two full years. I get that Eriksson plays a style that doesn't steal the show, but to suggest that he's this useless complementary passenger is just wrong. It's akin to saying Backes is garbage because he was the captain of all these Blues teams that choked.
- tyanderson

I think you're taking the passenger thing the wrong way... not so much a passenger on the ice, but a passenger in the locker room. He never struck me as a guy that would stick his neck out for teammates, or speak up in any type of situation at all. Backes seems like a complete 180 from that type of mentality... a C for the Blues for what, the past 5 years or so? I think it's a huge locker room upgrade, and I think this was a big concern for everyone here on these boards. Not sure how you guys are looking past that.

And all of these arguments about how great of a defensive player Loui was, and how he plays PK and this and that... uhhh don't you think you are getting much of the same with Backes? He's been a Selke candidate for years now... Loui may be really good defensively, but how often has he been in Selke talks? Backes kills penalties as well, so can't really complain there.

The biggest thing they give up is the 18 points that Loui had over Backes last season... That being said, I don't think the Bruins had problems scoring, but they certainly had problems with leadership. So I'll easily swap out Loui's 18 pts for Backes leadership qualities.

Either way Eriksson was a part of a Bruins team that choked big time the past two seasons. Glad to see them shake things up a bit, and I think Backes replacing Loui is a good upgrade. Not sure why everyone here is advocating for more of the same...

I think you're taking the passenger thing the wrong way... not so much a passenger on the ice, but a passenger in the locker room. He never struck me as a guy that would stick his neck out for teammates, or speak up in any type of situation at all. Backes seems like a complete 180 from that type of mentality... a C for the Blues for what, the past 5 years or so? I think it's a huge locker room upgrade, and I think this was a big concern for everyone here on these boards. Not sure how you guys are looking past that.

And all of these arguments about how great of a defensive player Loui was, and how he plays PK and this and that... uhhh don't you think you are getting much of the same with Backes? He's been a Selke candidate for years now... Loui may be really good defensively, but how often has he been in Selke talks? Backes kills penalties as well, so can't really complain there.

The biggest thing they give up is the 18 points that Loui had over Backes last season... That being said, I don't think the Bruins had problems scoring, but they certainly had problems with leadership. So I'll easily swap out Loui's 18 pts for Backes leadership qualities.

Either way Eriksson was a part of a Bruins team that choked big time the past two seasons. Glad to see them shake things up a bit, and I think Backes replacing Loui is a good upgrade. Not sure why everyone here is advocating for more of the same...
- mixturebill

Dont hate the signing. But I disagree with certain parts of what you have here. I think the biggest difference will be the return on investment Boston gets out of Backes. Over the length of the contracts both Loui and Backes got, I believe that the highest return would have come from Loui. We got a great character guy, who will put up points. But in years 3, 4 and 5 of this contract, I think you will see Loui outperform Backes in almost every category. Except from character of course. In the final years of Backes' contract, I am anticipating him to be about as effective as Chris Kelley was the year before last.

Also, can we just talk about what's wrong with the world when Patrice Bergeron makes $6.8m annually, but Matthew Dellavedova makes almost $10m?!?!?!

Dont hate the signing. But I disagree with certain parts of what you have here. I think the biggest difference will be the return on investment Boston gets out of Backes. Over the length of the contracts both Loui and Backes got, I believe that the highest return would have come from Loui. We got a great character guy, who will put up points. But in years 3, 4 and 5 of this contract, I think you will see Loui outperform Backes in almost every category. Except from character of course. In the final years of Backes' contract, I am anticipating him to be about as effective as Chris Kelley was the year before last.
- dothedougie

I agree that there might be some concerns in the later years of the contract... I don't like the contract necessarily, but I like the player... and think if it was 6x6 for Loui or 6x5 for Backes, the Bruins chose correctly. I would have preferred a lesser contract, but obviously that wasn't an option.

Again, I think if you look at it strictly from a points perspective, then yes, Loui probably would have been the better option. But again, the Bruins had no problems scoring points... they had big time leadership problems. So I leave the points on the table, because guys like Pastrnak, Spooner, and Vatrano are going to ramp up their point production over the next few years. So a little less production for A LOT more leadership... I'll take it.

Love the guy but I think he may have some concussion issues. After seabrook hit a few seasons ago hes been a bit off. Still never heard why he basically sat on the bench for 2/3rds of a playoff game.

Well, another reason to like my favorite eastern conference team. Hope Backes does you well as i love that guy. Little bit overpaid for his actual worth but he will fit in nicely there. Play him with Bergeron. i did not want to see him leave

I agree that there might be some concerns in the later years of the contract... I don't like the contract necessarily, but I like the player... and think if it was 6x6 for Loui or 6x5 for Backes, the Bruins chose correctly. I would have preferred a lesser contract, but obviously that wasn't an option.

Again, I think if you look at it strictly from a points perspective, then yes, Loui probably would have been the better option. But again, the Bruins had no problems scoring points... they had big time leadership problems. So I leave the points on the table, because guys like Pastrnak, Spooner, and Vatrano are going to ramp up their point production over the next few years. So a little less production for A LOT more leadership... I'll take it.
- mixturebill

Well put

Well, You can't argue about the fit. And thinking of a Bergy-Marshy-Backes combo from time to time sounds pretty damn good

$6million x 5 is a LOT for a 3rd line center... just saying.

$6million x 5 is a LOT for a 3rd line center... just saying.
- cuethenoise

You guys are paying Paul Stastny 7.0 million.....

You guys are paying Paul Stastny 7.0 million.....
- Mahewman

$6million x 5 is a LOT for a 3rd line center... just saying.
- cuethenoise

The Bruins have always been pretty adamant about being strong down the middle.

Obviously they are missing the 1-2 punch they had on D when Chara / Seids were one of the best pairings in the league. 3 years ago

Bergeron
Krejci
Backes

With Rask in Net

Maybe I hit the sauce too early today but if you can get Shattenkirk. And offer sheet Trouba. There's big potential

Shattenkirk Chara
Trouba Krug
Quaider Liles

You guys are paying Paul Stastny 7.0 million.....
- Mahewman

still doesn't change his point.

still doesn't change his point.
- sabresfan69

Also Statsny was our 1/2nd line center for most of the year... He'd be the #1 if he had better chemistry with Tarasenko.

still doesn't change his point.
- sabresfan69

And hed have a point except that Claude essentially plays our top 3 lines roughly the same TOI. Im sure Backes will also move around a bit

Also Statsny was our 1/2nd line center for most of the year... He'd be the #1 if he had better chemistry with Tarasenko.
- cuethenoise

i just don't think he is a #1 center.

And hed have a point except that Claude essentially plays our top 3 lines roughly the same TOI. Im sure Backes will also move around a bit
- mikeq672

We are kind of in the same boat here as well. Its the term that is the real killer on that deal.

We are kind of in the same boat here as well. Its the term that is the real killer on that deal.
- cuethenoise

Not arguing with that

Who the hell is Riley Nash?

Who the hell is Riley Nash?
- Charlie.Conway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaT4GJEj7w4

Another center for the 4th?

Who the hell is Riley Nash?
- Charlie.Conway

Why would we waste money on Riley Nash. Ugh

Agree with the word on Backes. I love him. And he can play any of top 3 RW or C spots. And Boston was concerned about FW %, so Backes adds to that as well as hitting and toughness.

However, whoever mentioned Boston getting Shattenkirk and Trouba must have been kidding. That's another 14 million (assuming Shattenkirk resigns at 7 million). Not gonna happen.

Hopefully they don't think the D is solved by resigning Liles at 2 million.

Riley Nash though, hope it is a two-way deal...

Riley Nash though, hope it is a two-way deal...
- Videoj

From what I've read, one-way.

Possible lines so far?


Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta
Belesky-krejci-Backes
Vatrano-Spooner-Griffith
Nash-Acciari/Czarnik/Heinen-Hayes/Randell

so you guys traded Seguin for Eriksson who is one of the top scorer in the league and now let him walk away for nothing??? lol. He was a top 30 player in the league last season too!