Lol they've traded/didn't resign all those guys + Sequin, and Marchand is the guy to keep?

I mean at this point he's the best option for 7mill and worth keeping. Be hilarious if they traded him too.

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.
- Bruiniak

Dont bother man. Everyone's decided that Sweeney's a tard and every move the B's make is terrible. Just gonna be the way it is until the B's "surprise" people this year

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

Lol they've traded/didn't resign all those guys + Sequin, and Marchand is the guy to keep?

I mean at this point he's the best option for 7mill and worth keeping. Be hilarious if they traded him too.
- Razzdazzle1

delete your account

Few things worth mentioning.

while they are thirty or close to it, Bergeron and Marchand have either been as impressive or improved as each season passes. They are not on a down swing and are tremendous talents. I don't think any team would be mad with Bergerons contract.

There is concern with Krejci but he is our best playmaker and possibly the best point producer if he stays healthy. And backes just landed in Boston, can't accurately evaluate his impact but having a guy like him is an awesome boost and has everything you want in a player.

Committing that money to our top four players is something that is necessary. Whetger they are 25 or 35, they are the best players on the team, that's where the money should go. And as the younger guys develop, they get the money they deserve when the time comes. What should we do, hold out on present talent Incase Pastrnak or Vatrano or Spooner is the next Gretzky? No, deal with it when the time comes!

Dont bother man. Everyone's decided that Sweeney's a tard and every move the B's make is terrible. Just gonna be the way it is until the B's "surprise" people this year
- Shaundre93

5 year deal for a 32 year old. Obviously a good move...

Dont bother man. Everyone's decided that Sweeney's a tard and every move the B's make is terrible. Just gonna be the way it is until the B's "surprise" people this year
- Shaundre93

And when they dont "surprise"?

5 year deal for a 32 year old. Obviously a good move...
- Feds91Stammer

(frank)ing solid. As well as the draft choices. Frederic will be the next Backes. A hitting, overpaid 3rd line center.......likely in the ECHL.



Obviously the majority of the hockey world is missing his genius. Those who think he is doing great things also probably think Donald Trump always speaks the truth.

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

Oh my i'll take some of what you're smoking

Oh my i'll take some of what you're smoking
- bulet13

- dothedougie

your location tho. i would feel bad for the bruins but we had homer to poop on our prospects for however many years

ya, Love Marchmont but 7m is only good for 4 years tops, no way you go 7 years at that. something like 5 yrs 33m would Fit #63

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

No, they didn't. Blues offered 5m over 5 years or 5.5m over 4 years.

6m for Backes at 32 isn't overpaid. 6m for Backes at 34 likely is. 6m for Backes at 36 is a fire-able offense.

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.
- Bruiniak

25 goals 50 points would be the absolute high end of what I would expect from Backes. 20 goals 40 points also shouldn't be a surprise. His role for Bruins will probably be the exact same of what it was for Blues last year. 3rd line center, top PK & PP guy. Backes has already show signs of slowing down.

Suggesting he is the type you need to succeed in the playoffs is wishful thinking. His style of play might translate well, but his production, prior to this year, tanks in the playoffs. Prior to this year, he had 5 goals in 6 playoff series. This year, his numbers were inflated by a series against arguably the worst defense and goaltending in the playoffs, along with being the last one to touch the puck before Chicago scored on itself.

Backes has been the heart and soul of the Blues. He is very loved in St. Louis; and people are all sad to see him go. But pretty much every Blues fan is super happy we didn't sign him for the amount/term Bruins did. When the people who watch him play the most, and love him as a player, are glad they aren't stuck with the contract you gave him; I think that should tell you something.

25 goals 50 points would be the absolute high end of what I would expect from Backes. 20 goals 40 points also shouldn't be a surprise. His role for Bruins will probably be the exact same of what it was for Blues last year. 3rd line center, top PK & PP guy. Backes has already show signs of slowing down.

Suggesting he is the type you need to succeed in the playoffs is wishful thinking. His style of play might translate well, but his production, prior to this year, tanks in the playoffs. Prior to this year, he had 5 goals in 6 playoff series. This year, his numbers were inflated by a series against arguably the worst defense and goaltending in the playoffs, along with being the last one to touch the puck before Chicago scored on itself.

Backes has been the heart and soul of the Blues. He is very loved in St. Louis; and people are all sad to see him go. But pretty much every Blues fan is super happy we didn't sign him for the amount/term Bruins did. When the people who watch him play the most, and love him as a player, are glad they aren't stuck with the contract you gave him; I think that should tell you something.
- Antilles

You sir, are a pile of poop.

Honestly, this is a tough one, he had a great season last year and is at the point in his career where its long term or bust. He has been improving and genuinely I think you have to give him what he wants even if you think it was a flash in the pan type of season. I think i fair deal would be 7x5 but he might be looking for a 7x7 or something around there, I think 5-6 years would be the most you'd want to do here though.

your location tho. i would feel bad for the bruins but we had homer to poop on our prospects for however many years
- bulet13

I love how they take players they know and openly state wont be the great. WTF is the point? Best player available or GTFO

You sir, are a pile of poop.
- Videoj

For your amusement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V_0k7DZt-o

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.
- Bruiniak

can you try, just a little, to separate the player and the contract? of course he's a fine player. the contract may end up being an albatross.

Oh my i'll take some of what you're smoking
- bulet13

wouldn't you rather smoke something that got you nice and high and not retarded?

I love how they take players they know and openly state wont be the great. WTF is the point? Best player available or GTFO
- dothedougie

They are drafting players based around how they want to build the team. If they took the approach of "best available player" we would be in the same camp as the Oilers.

I'm not saying I necessarily agree with all of their draft choices (I do think leaving Connor and Barzal on the board was a poor choice), I'm just saying you can't be as shortsighted as "best player available or GTFO" either.

If there are guys that Sweeney likes that are ranked lower in the draft, THEN FOR (frank)S SAKE TRADE DOWN! It's a simple concept... "I want a 3rd round guy, but I'll just take him with my 1st round pick" is the dumbest logic in this situation. Why Not trade a first round pick, pick up a 2nd or 3rd rounder, plus another prospect or more picks. That is the problem I have with the Bruins drafting... not necessarily that they aren't drafting the best player on the board, but that they aren't utilizing the picks they have in the best possible way.

They are drafting players based around how they want to build the team. If they took the approach of "best available player" we would be in the same camp as the Oilers.

I'm not saying I necessarily agree with all of their draft choices (I do think leaving Connor and Barzal on the board was a poor choice), I'm just saying you can't be as shortsighted as "best player available or GTFO" either.

If there are guys that Sweeney likes that are ranked lower in the draft, THEN FOR (frank)S SAKE TRADE DOWN! It's a simple concept... "I want a 3rd round guy, but I'll just take him with my 1st round pick" is the dumbest logic in this situation. Why Not trade a first round pick, pick up a 2nd or 3rd rounder, plus another prospect or more picks. That is the problem I have with the Bruins drafting... not necessarily that they aren't drafting the best player on the board, but that they aren't utilizing the picks they have in the best possible way.
- mixturebill

Shortsighted eh? Ok then

wouldn't you rather smoke something that got you nice and high and not retarded?
- Fountain-San

The only thing bruiniak smokes is the pole.

They are drafting players based around how they want to build the team. If they took the approach of "best available player" we would be in the same camp as the Oilers.

I'm not saying I necessarily agree with all of their draft choices (I do think leaving Connor and Barzal on the board was a poor choice), I'm just saying you can't be as shortsighted as "best player available or GTFO" either.

If there are guys that Sweeney likes that are ranked lower in the draft, THEN FOR (frank)S SAKE TRADE DOWN! It's a simple concept... "I want a 3rd round guy, but I'll just take him with my 1st round pick" is the dumbest logic in this situation. Why Not trade a first round pick, pick up a 2nd or 3rd rounder, plus another prospect or more picks. That is the problem I have with the Bruins drafting... not necessarily that they aren't drafting the best player on the board, but that they aren't utilizing the picks they have in the best possible way.
- mixturebill

You can't draft players based on a perceived fit when they most likely don't make an NHL impact for 3-5 years. BAP or GTFO.

You can't draft players based on a perceived fit when they most likely don't make an NHL impact for 3-5 years. BAP or GTFO.
- Feds91Stammer