Player Discussion David Backes IV

[Blowfish]

Yes team is faster more effective without backes. Anyone surprised?

 

[Mount Kramer Cameras]

Yes team is faster more effective without backes. Anyone surprised?

We don't have to beat him when he's down, man. Everyone already knows he's cooked.

 

[Blowfish]

We don't have to beat him when he's down, man. Everyone already knows he's cooked.

We feel for his health. No doubt. But his play like you said is cooked. But when we first hear his going back in. Then what.

 

[Mount Kramer Cameras]

We feel for his health. No doubt. But his play like you said is cooked. But when we first hear his going back in. Then what.

If it's a concussion I'll be surprised if he's back. He'd be nuts to risk a very bright future with his family.

I can't rag on him though, and no one else should either. He showed the kind of guy he is when he came back super early from the two big injuries last year. His body just can't do what his head wants to anymore.

 

[Blowfish]

If it's a concussion I'll be surprised if he's back. He'd be nuts to risk a very bright future with his family.

I can't rag on him though, and no one else should either. He showed the kind of guy he is when he came back super early from the two big injuries last year. His body just can't do what his head wants to anymore.

I agree. But if he’s hurting the team he shouldn’t play because he’s a good dude.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Fluto weighs in on Backes:

Shinzawa: After latest injury setback, it's unlikely Bruins...

 

[Alicat]

All that matters is that he gets healthy so that he can have a great life post hockey.

No point in kicking the guy while he's down.

 

[missingchicklet]

Backes has a lot of pride and compete in him. My hope is that he makes the right decision for his long-term health. It's hard for proud competitive players to just step away from what they love. The hockey part of the signing has been discussed ad nauseam, so that is what it is. All I know is that Backes was one of my favorite non-Bruins in his prime, and I think the world of his character, and like to believe he is as genuinely a good guy off the ice as portrayed in the media. I realize most of us don't know these guys personally, but there is still a human element for the fans in which we care about the well-being of the players.

 

[DrJustice]

Not fair for anyone to suggest he stop doing what he's loves because it's 'best for the team'. I fear for him specifically because of his concussion issues and want nothing but the best for him long term. Hoping he hangs them up because it would benefit the Bruins doesn't sit well with me. He didn't sign himself to that contract and he has brought a lot of leadership to this team. Has he been as productive as we all hoped? No. But this isn't a Beleskey situation where he isn't bringing anything of value. He has a place in the locker room and a chance to redeem himself if he is healthy enough. Just do whats best for you and your family Backes.

 

[Dr Hook]

Fluto weighs in on Backes:

Shinzawa: After latest injury setback, it's unlikely Bruins...

Combined with the KPD article of a few days ago, it sure does seem like stepping away is on the table for him.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Combined with the KPD article of a few days ago, it sure does seem like stepping away is on the table for him.

I would have said absolutely not before this latest incident with Benning.

However, after that one, things seem to be adding up now, and none of us really know how many concussions he’s actually had in his career.

 

[BruinsNetwork]

Amazing. Backes’ biggest critics and defectors are the ones who suggest that he retire for the sake of “health” or “quality of life.” Would you be saying this if his game wasn’t allegedly “cooked?” Would you be saying this is he made $3m per-year instead of $6m per-year on the cap? How about if this were Marchand on the receiving end of a bad concussion? Would this same “health” crowd be suggesting he retires too? I try not to speculate and pretend to know what other people are thinking, but I highly doubt that the narrative would be the same.

Contrary to popular belief, I believe that although the game is trending towards speed and skill, veterans like Backes who lack “foot speed” can still be effective in certain roles. As someone said above me, Backes isn’t like Beleskey and actually brings something to the table, whether thats in the form of leadership or defensive/physical prowess on the ice. Is his contract great? No, it isn’t, but it also isn’t hurting the Bruins right now. They have available money to acquire a player with if they so choose.

Backes isn’t the fastest player out there, thats obvious, but he also isn’t the worst. He’s gone 7-games without a point while being the 3C, I know, I know. However, he’s also had 8-shot attempts while hitting post twice from what I can recall off the top of my head. He’s had five takeaways and only one giveaway, and he’s also owning a 52.3 FO%. Aside from a very bad game or two, I’d say he didn’t look that bad as the 3C, despite the fact that he isn’t worth $6m per-year anymore.

Backes might have lost some speed, but I still don’t think he’s “cooked” or absolutely useless like some would have it seem.

 

[Mount Kramer Cameras]

Amazing. Backes’ biggest critics and defectors are the ones who suggest that he retire for the sake of “health” or “quality of life.” Would you be saying this if his game wasn’t allegedly “cooked?” Would you be saying this is he made $3m per-year instead of $6m per-year on the cap? How about if this were Marchand on the receiving end of a bad concussion? Would this same “health” crowd be suggesting he retires too? I try not to speculate and pretend to know what other people are thinking, but I highly doubt that the narrative would be the same.

Contrary to popular belief, I believe that although the game is trending towards speed and skill, veterans like Backes who lack “foot speed” can still be effective in certain roles. As someone said above me, Backes isn’t like Beleskey and actually brings something to the table, whether thats in the form of leadership or defensive/physical prowess on the ice. Is his contract great? No, it isn’t, but it also isn’t hurting the Bruins right now. They have available money to acquire a player with if they so choose.

Backes isn’t the fastest player out there, thats obvious, but he also isn’t the worst. He’s gone 7-games without a point while being the 3C, I know, I know. However, he’s also had 8-shot attempts while hitting post twice from what I can recall off the top of my head. He’s had five takeaways and only one giveaway, and he’s also owning a 52.3 FO%. Aside from a very bad game or two, I’d say he didn’t look that bad as the 3C, despite the fact that he isn’t worth $6m per-year anymore.

Backes might have lost some speed, but I still don’t think he’s “cooked” or absolutely useless like some would have it seem.

When/where have I criticised Backes? No need for the veiled attacks, man. I've been supportive of him during his Bruins tenure.

In any case, this kind of talk will surround any player over the age of 30 who has multiple concussions within the space of a year or so. It even stirred that Crosby should've considered it when he got rocked again last year. Putting 'players tribune concussion' into a search engine is enough to know why.

I can see why you might think I'd 'hope' he's concussed so that Donny gains some some cap wiggle room, but thankfully I'm not that ****** up.

 

[BruinsNetwork]

When/where have I criticised Backes? No need for the veiled attacks, man. I've been supportive of him during his Bruins tenure.

In any case, this kind of talk will surround any player over the age of 30 who has multiple concussions within the space of a year or so. It even stirred that Crosby should've considered it when he got rocked again last year. Putting 'players tribune concussion' into a search engine is enough to know why.

I can see why you might think I'd 'hope' he's concussed so that Donny gains some some cap wiggle room, but thankfully I'm not that ****** up.

Not meant to attack anyone specifically, just an observation that his biggest critics are the ones suggesting he retire, as if his “health” is their motive behind it.

 

[Mainehockey33]

If Marchand had the history of concussions that Backes does and wasn’t as effective anymore I’d hope he considered retirement too. You’re not doing his wingers any favors by playing him as 3C, and he can’t play a physical game on the wing anymore. Why put quotes around health and quality of life, should he not consider that or just keep getting his brain scrambled and hope for the best?

 

[BruinsNetwork]

If Marchand had the history of concussions that Backes does and wasn’t as effective anymore I’d hope he considered retirement too. You’re not doing his wingers any favors by playing him as 3C, and he can’t play a physical game on the wing anymore. Why put quotes around health and quality of life, should he not consider that or just keep getting his brain scrambled and hope for the best?

He absolutely should consider his health, obviously. I just don’t think it’s in good faith how his critics (whom already want him out of Boston) are suddenly playing the harbinger of compasion role.

It’s one thing to suggest he retire for his health, its another to suggest he retire because he’s “ineffective,” “cooked,” “useless” or “slow,” and write it off as having pure motive to want his resignation. That’s the point I’m trying to make.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I’ve thought for awhile that Backes could still be effective as 4th line RW, and maybe he still could be, but is it really worth it? I don’t care about his money, if he made the 4th line good then it would be worth it, but I don’t want to see him continually get his head rearranged, brain injuries are no joke.

 

[Mainehockey33]

He absolutely should consider his health, obviously. I just don’t think it’s in good faith how his critics (whom already want him out of Boston) are suddenly playing the harbinger of compasion role.

It’s one thing to suggest he retire for his health, its another to suggest he retire because he’s “ineffective,” “cooked,” “useless” or “slow,” and write it off as having pure motive to want his resignation. That’s the point I’m trying to make.

I guess, I can see both sides. Maybe he would do alright as 4th line center, I just don’t think it would be worth it. From his standpoint he has to consider his health, from the Bruins and fans, they want the best possible lineup.

 

[Chief Nine]

Amazing. Backes’ biggest critics and defectors are the ones who suggest that he retire for the sake of “health” or “quality of life.” Would you be saying this if his game wasn’t allegedly “cooked?” Would you be saying this is he made $3m per-year instead of $6m per-year on the cap? How about if this were Marchand on the receiving end of a bad concussion? Would this same “health” crowd be suggesting he retires too? I try not to speculate and pretend to know what other people are thinking, but I highly doubt that the narrative would be the same.

Contrary to popular belief, I believe that although the game is trending towards speed and skill, veterans like Backes who lack “foot speed” can still be effective in certain roles. As someone said above me, Backes isn’t like Beleskey and actually brings something to the table, whether thats in the form of leadership or defensive/physical prowess on the ice. Is his contract great? No, it isn’t, but it also isn’t hurting the Bruins right now. They have available money to acquire a player with if they so choose.

Backes isn’t the fastest player out there, thats obvious, but he also isn’t the worst. He’s gone 7-games without a point while being the 3C, I know, I know. However, he’s also had 8-shot attempts while hitting post twice from what I can recall off the top of my head. He’s had five takeaways and only one giveaway, and he’s also owning a 52.3 FO%. Aside from a very bad game or two, I’d say he didn’t look that bad as the 3C, despite the fact that he isn’t worth $6m per-year anymore.

Backes might have lost some speed, but I still don’t think he’s “cooked” or absolutely useless like some would have it seem.

Great post

 

[Mount Kramer Cameras]

Not meant to attack anyone specifically, just an observation that his biggest critics are the ones suggesting he retire, as if his “health” is their motive behind it.

Fair enough.

Getting back to the hockey side of things, perhaps 'cooked' is an unfair description. But I do have serious concerns because his identity is in flux. He's lost weight to try to keep up with the pace but is still finding it hard. Granted that Bjork will make most teammates look slow, but the question 'where does he fit in?' still has to be asked.

His hits are at 1.6 per game, down on 2.4/g last year, which is good for around 170th in the NHL. It's not absolutely terrible, but it still makes me wonder what his role is if he's not going to be physically dominant when not producing. He'll always be smart and a good influence, for sure, but is that enough?

My heart just says this is one year too many for him. 34 years old, too many injuries, not hitting, not scoring. But I don't know ****, so I'll be delighted if/when he turns it around.

 

[EverettMike]

Amazing. Backes’ biggest critics and defectors are the ones who suggest that he retire for the sake of “health” or “quality of life.” Would you be saying this if his game wasn’t allegedly “cooked?” Would you be saying this is he made $3m per-year instead of $6m per-year on the cap? How about if this were Marchand on the receiving end of a bad concussion? Would this same “health” crowd be suggesting he retires too? I try not to speculate and pretend to know what other people are thinking, but I highly doubt that the narrative would be the same.

Contrary to popular belief, I believe that although the game is trending towards speed and skill, veterans like Backes who lack “foot speed” can still be effective in certain roles. As someone said above me, Backes isn’t like Beleskey and actually brings something to the table, whether thats in the form of leadership or defensive/physical prowess on the ice. Is his contract great? No, it isn’t, but it also isn’t hurting the Bruins right now. They have available money to acquire a player with if they so choose.

Backes isn’t the fastest player out there, thats obvious, but he also isn’t the worst. He’s gone 7-games without a point while being the 3C, I know, I know. However, he’s also had 8-shot attempts while hitting post twice from what I can recall off the top of my head. He’s had five takeaways and only one giveaway, and he’s also owning a 52.3 FO%. Aside from a very bad game or two, I’d say he didn’t look that bad as the 3C, despite the fact that he isn’t worth $6m per-year anymore.

Backes might have lost some speed, but I still don’t think he’s “cooked” or absolutely useless like some would have it seem.

Just want to say, I am one of these people, but I think it's insulting and ludicrous for people to suggest he stop playing for the good of the team. He was given that contract, he should get his money. To say it would be "honorable" to walk away is f***ing gross.

 

[Don Cherry]

I think we all want this guy gone, myself included. No matter the reason/reasons, he did absolutely nothing for this team while collecting an insane salary. Terrible signing of an aging, oft-injured player from day one.

That said, I hope he fully recovers. He just needs to be gone now.

 

[BruinsNetwork]

I think we all want this guy gone, myself included. No matter the reason/reasons, he did absolutely nothing for this team while collecting an insane salary. Terrible signing of an aging, oft-injured player from day one.

That said, I hope he fully recovers. He just needs to be gone now.

While I disagree with your post, I respect that you just came here to flat out say you want him gone, regardless of how or why. You’re not trying to disguise it as concerns for “health” or “quality of life” after hockey, you just simply want him off the team and I respect that transparency.

 

[Don Cherry]

While I disagree with your post, I respect that you just came here to flat out say you want him gone, regardless of how or why. You’re not trying to disguise it as concerns for “health” or “quality of life” after hockey, you just simply want him off the team and I respect that transparency.

I did say that I hope he fully recovers, but, yeah I want him gone.

 

[Fenway]

Combined with the KPD article of a few days ago, it sure does seem like stepping away is on the table for him.

It was a questionable signing to begin with and it was telling the Blues were not sorry to see him go,