You go to the cup finals in 2013.
Then you come back, miss....you loose Johnny Boychuk due to $.
1 year later (1yr ago) you trade Lucic, Hamilton.....Smith.
Then you let go of Eriksson after such a strong year (signing Belesky)
Now you sign Backes and Liles .....and....now what?


If I was a fan, I'd be happy at least my team was doing something. But the depletion on D means they need to get younger and rebuild OR do a retool and hope that the players your bringing in will be ready to play fitting roles when you do contend.

Backes in 2 year will have A LOT of miles on him. He may want to be the same player, but his body combined with his age may not. By that time, who do you have to contend with? Marchand, the centers, and Krug will be..

I think they'd be good to get Yakupov - Spooner's teammate from Kingston. Try and turn him into a good 2nd line winger. But doubt a trade happens with PC. That Larsson deal
- AlfieisKing

Yak and Spooner were teammates in SARNIA

Who are these players on the horizon? I'm being totally serious I have no idea about Bruins prospects except the 3 that got picked last year. Is he talking about DeBrusk and Pasternak?
- Grizzly12

He's talking about younger players that are going to be in Providence next season like O'Gara and Carlo on defense, and some of draft picks like Senyshyn and McAvoy look like they could be NHL players. There aren't any top tier prospects but the Bruins have drafted so badly, that for them these upcoming prospects are a huge improvement.

There hasnt been a player like Heinen around in while who could push for an NHL job in camp, or Vatrano who's undersized but scored a goal per game in AHL and has already scored a hat trick in the NHL.

Compared to other teams maybe not the best prospect pool but compared that what Bruins have had in the system the future looks better in that regard.

I think both players (Backes and Eriksson) will see significant decline in their play during the latter half of their contracts. Of course that is unfortunately what the market dictated. I think the power forward type of player declines much faster, though, so I feel the Bruins would have been better off keeping Eriksson.

That said, Backes is certainly saying all the right things and looks to be re-energized going forward. Only time will tell if this was a good signing. Hopefully both players pan out for their new respective teams. I am optimistic that, as concerns Eriksson, he will be a good fit in Vancouver (especially given he's already demonstrated excellent chemistry with the Sedins). On the other hand, who do you think Backes should end up playing with?
- Zogg

Backes is tradable in the 4th season of contract and the NMC becomes looser after that. So at least Sweeney didn't totally kill his flexibility there. However, Backes is nto an upgrade over Eriksson. It's a lateral move for the Bruins and one I still do not understand.

Backes is tradable in the 4th season of contract and the NMC becomes looser after that. So at least Sweeney didn't totally kill his flexibility there. However, Backes is nto an upgrade over Eriksson. It's a lateral move for the Bruins and one I still do not understand.
- glove_was_stuck

How do you not understand it? I take Backes and his contract over Loui and his contract any day. People talk about Backes' age, well Loui is only 2 years younger, and is signed for 1 year longer. Plus Loui has a dangerous injury history to sign to a long term deal. Not to mention he had his best year for the B's in a contract year. I learned to really like eriksson, but the B's were a worse team with him on it. I know that's not his fault by any means, but it's true. Backes is a leader, is physical, is a pain in the ass to play against, and can put up similar numbers to eriksson. Love this signing.

Now the defence is a different story...

Will you guys just give the Blues Pastrnak & a 1st for Shattenkirk (w/ extension) already, so we can all move on with our lives please???
- usmcaaron

Have fun losing him for nothing because of your stubborn GM

How do you not understand it? I take Backes and his contract over Loui and his contract any day. People talk about Backes' age, well Loui is only 2 years younger, and is signed for 1 year longer. Plus Loui has a dangerous injury history to sign to a long term deal. Not to mention he had his best year for the B's in a contract year. I learned to really like eriksson, but the B's were a worse team with him on it. I know that's not his fault by any means, but it's true. Backes is a leader, is physical, is a pain in the ass to play against, and can put up similar numbers to eriksson. Love this signing.

Now the defence is a different story...
- TylerSeguin19

I thought the message almost 2 years ago now was "We need to become a transition team with speed and skill (paraphrasing)" Backes while I like he guy and fits right in with "old style" flies in the face of that. Eriksson does many things most people won't notice. Very responsible defensively and contributes scoring wise. But I agree with Ty, he is soft spoken and Swedish so he doesn't fit in with Boston bull poop.

Backes is not a bad move but it is a lateral move to a philosophy that we were told they're moving away from.

Will you guys just give the Blues Pastrnak & a 1st for Shattenkirk (w/ extension) already, so we can all move on with our lives please???
- usmcaaron

Non. Starter.

I thought the message almost 2 years ago now was "We need to become a transition team with speed and skill (paraphrasing)" Backes while I like he guy and fits right in with "old style" flies in the face of that. Eriksson does many things most people won't notice. Very responsible defensively and contributes scoring wise. But I agree with Ty, he is soft spoken and Swedish so he doesn't fit in with Boston bull poop.

Backes is not a bad move but it is a lateral move to a philosophy that we were told they're moving away from.
- glove_was_stuck

Well if it was 2 years ago then that's a whole different philosophy than what Sweeney and Neely are trying to assemble. Look at last years signings/trades, like beleksey, hayes, rinaldo, etc. Obviously they're trying to get more physical.

To the point of having speed and skill, I think we are going to see guys like griffith, pasta, frankie, being given more of an opportunity, at least I hope so

Well if it was 2 years ago then that's a whole different philosophy than what Sweeney and Neely are trying to assemble. Look at last years signings/trades, like beleksey, hayes, rinaldo, etc. Obviously they're trying to get more physical.

To the point of having speed and skill, I think we are going to see guys like griffith, pasta, frankie, being given more of an opportunity, at least I hope so
- TylerSeguin19

Yes it's the opposite. Eriksson was fitting in the last 2 seasons and broke the 60 point mark again this season. Something I think he could easily have done again here and for the next 2-3 years.

Backes is good don't get me wrong. But its a step down in production. He's only broke 60 pts once in his career. His style of play typically trends to sharp declines as player of that ilk approach their mid 30's(yes there are exceptions, neat.) Other than the hit column and ra ra stuff its not improvement. So hopefully his leadership is that damn good.

You want to address leadership? What's your captain been doing? Also you made Krjeci an alternate who's oft broken, and a soft spoken Czech. Pretty anti Boston chest thumping crap.

Yes it's the opposite. Eriksson was fitting in the last 2 seasons and broke the 60 point mark again this season. Something I think he could easily have done again here and for the next 2-3 years.

Backes is good don't get me wrong. But its a step down in production. He's only broke 60 pts once in his career. His style of play typically trends to sharp declines as player of that ilk approach their mid 30's(yes there are exceptions, neat.) Other than the hit column and ra ra stuff its not improvement. So hopefully his leadership is that damn good.

You want to address leadership? What's your captain been doing? Also you made Krjeci an alternate who's oft broken, and a soft spoken Czech. Pretty anti Boston chest thumping crap.
- glove_was_stuck

Sans Chara:

Captain - Bergeron
Assistant - Backes
Assistant - Marchand
Assistant - Krug

How do you not understand it? I take Backes and his contract over Loui and his contract any day. People talk about Backes' age, well Loui is only 2 years younger, and is signed for 1 year longer. Plus Loui has a dangerous injury history to sign to a long term deal. Not to mention he had his best year for the B's in a contract year. I learned to really like eriksson, but the B's were a worse team with him on it. I know that's not his fault by any means, but it's true. Backes is a leader, is physical, is a pain in the ass to play against, and can put up similar numbers to eriksson. Love this signing.

Now the defence is a different story...
- TylerSeguin19

That really makes no sense??

I was fine with letting him walk for his contract but to say the B's were worse with him is an asinine comment.

That really makes no sense??

I was fine with letting him walk for his contract but to say the B's were worse with him is an asinine comment.
- MrBeanTown

I know it has nothing to do with Loui, as he has been a bright spot on this team for the last year and a half, but in his 3 years with the bruins, the team hasn;t been as good.

Yes it's the opposite. Eriksson was fitting in the last 2 seasons and broke the 60 point mark again this season. Something I think he could easily have done again here and for the next 2-3 years.

Backes is good don't get me wrong. But its a step down in production. He's only broke 60 pts once in his career. His style of play typically trends to sharp declines as player of that ilk approach their mid 30's(yes there are exceptions, neat.) Other than the hit column and ra ra stuff its not improvement. So hopefully his leadership is that damn good.

You want to address leadership? What's your captain been doing? Also you made Krjeci an alternate who's oft broken, and a soft spoken Czech. Pretty anti Boston chest thumping crap.
- glove_was_stuck

All I'm saying is that I'd rather give the money and term to Backes then I would Loui. To me Backes brings more to the table, and can contribute in multiple ways. Loui can tend to be invisible at times.

As far as the leadership goes, I agree with MrBeanTown's choices

No choice but to focus on the present with backes because the future with him is gonna be scary.

No choice but to focus on the present with backes because the future with him is gonna be scary.
- 1993_Cup_Champs

Says the guys who's team just traded Subban and signed Radulov TROLOLOLOLOL

Says the guys who's team just traded Subban and signed Radulov TROLOLOLOLOL
- MrBeanTown

And overpaid Shaw long term. Plus outside of Sergaychev, they have zero propsects. Absolutely love seeing the habs turn into a joke

Says the guys who's team just traded Subban and signed Radulov TROLOLOLOLOL
- MrBeanTown

It's not like we traded Joe thornton for Sturm primeau and Stuart, we traded a Norris calibre defenseman for a Norris caliber defenseman. And I'm gonna go out on a limb and say 29 other gms would rather gamble radulov for 1 year than backes at 5 for 6 per. Trololololol

It's not like we traded Joe thornton for Sturm primeau and Stuart, we traded a Norris calibre defenseman for a Norris caliber defenseman. And I'm gonna go out on a limb and say 29 other gms would rather gamble radulov for 1 year than backes at 5 for 6 per. Trololololol
- 1993_Cup_Champs

Whoa current events and management references. (frank) off.

Sans Chara:

Captain - Bergeron
Assistant - Backes
Assistant - Marchand
Assistant - Krug
- MrBeanTown

Yes! Also that would drive the haters crazy.

All I'm saying is that I'd rather give the money and term to Backes then I would Loui. To me Backes brings more to the table, and can contribute in multiple ways. Loui can tend to be invisible at times.

As far as the leadership goes, I agree with MrBeanTown's choices
- TylerSeguin19

Agreed. I'm excited for Backes. To me Pastrnak really needs to stay healthy and contribute. The D is going to be tough to watch.

It's not like we traded Joe thornton for Sturm primeau and Stuart, we traded a Norris calibre defenseman for a Norris caliber defenseman. And I'm gonna go out on a limb and say 29 other gms would rather gamble radulov for 1 year than backes at 5 for 6 per. Trololololol
- 1993_Cup_Champs

Yeah, most teams would not touch Radulov. This is why he took a one year deal.

Yeah, most teams would not touch Radulov. This is why he took a one year deal.
- Mahewman

Bergevin

Yeah, most teams would not touch Radulov. This is why he took a one year deal.
- Mahewman

I'm not saying 29 gms would take radulov but if they were forced to make a decision to sign radulov for 1 year, have it not work out and walk away or have a 3rd line 32 year old centre who's in a downard trajectory, I think it would be easier to cut bait after 1 year than absorb multiple years at 6m for poor production

Bergevin
- glove_was_stuck

Radulov will be more productive than backes for 4 less years and 250k cheaper. sweeney

I don't think Armstrong is stupid as the Blues GM. Shattenkirk has value and will continue to increase in value. He wants to play in the NE. You need a Nice PP right handed D man. You will end with him either for Pasternak or Spooner and a pick if Spoon is involved .
Backers was a great player this year was his best year in play and leadership. Great guy.... But he was/ is NOT worth the years and terms. He's awesome in the front of the net he's big.... But slow! Very slow! Look at the tape vs SJ. HE WAS OUT HUSTLED ! He has a lot of heart. But the wheels aren't there.
I wish him the best, but La caveat emptor!