Yeah yeah... I would appreciate more if you made it tonight's roaster. Wagner above Heinen, Acciari above Bjork. You probably should know. Also, backes failed to get into the Bruin's system and he was just a 4th liner most of the time. I would prefer JFK, Trent Fredric, or even Studnicka at that position to build on future young centers. I can understand your reasoning.

This is tonight roster lol.



What are you even talking about? Backes was 3rd in TOI among forwards against Buffalo. He line was rolled as the "3rd line" against Buffalo and very rarely has he been on the 4th line.



All 3 had a chance to earn the job in camp and all 3 failed to do so. They'll be better developing at their current levels before making the jump.

Wagner over heinen? On what planet?

Paying riley nash 2.5 mil doesnt seem like such a bad idea about now does it. Dont give me that chris kelly nonsese too, he would absolutely be worth it. Like the rest of us they just assumed jfk would be that 3rd center. I know they say they like backes and he has great intangables but his best days as a player are behind him. As a stop gap sure put him between bjork and heinen and hope for some production. I still think they go get a center if one of the kids dont come along. Its early and no one is panicking yet but atleast the kuraly experiment is already over.

The problem with Backes at center is that he's one of the slowest skaters every game. Because the first man into the D zone on the backcheck covers the slot and the players he's playing with (Heinen, Bjork) being solid defensively; it could work alright. I'd worry more about it if Heinen and Bjork weren't competent in the D zone, but I think they can handle it and Heinen's probably above average in the D zone. Once Backes is in the D zone he's a good defender so I'm hoping for the best.

Thought they would have gone to Backes or Heinen at 3C from the start. Everyone knew Kuraly is not suited for it. Saw they were finally coming to their senses and trying it today. Looking forward to the game.

Nash last year had a career year and I'm not paying a guy for 1 really good year of production.

I've seen a few people say Backes is slow and I just don't see it. Is he a burner? no, but he's also not the slowest guy on the ice.

Yeah i get that but his versatility is what youd really be paying for and sure he wont put up those numbers again but if krecji or Bergeron goes down for any extended period of time hes a better band aide than backes or kuraly. Sure 2.7 million but its still a better bargain than backes.

Backes looks faster thus far this season, but last year he looked fatigued from about the halfway point of the season on. There was one backcheck today he made that was an impressive showing where he chased what would have been a 2 on 1. I'm not worried about him for now.

NVM

For the last quote, yeah I agree. Still, would love to see some stuff out of them... especially JFK. Hes been grinding down there.

Second quote, true true, but still, he was having some injuries last year and could have been seen to go onto the 4th line.

First quote NVM, saw the wrong thing...

I mean in fairness, the guy never really got up to game shape/speed last year. He had major surgery to start the season, came back and shortly after missed time for a laceration to his leg.