Quoting: ngikas
backes is a key piece to this team. ever since we've signed him we made the playoffs back to back seasons. I don't think thats any coincidence. He's a great locker room guy for all these young kids who are coming up. I wouldn't mind paying him tht last year on his contract compared to krejci. especially if we have the cap space that could have. I think krejci could be replaced either thru the system or via trade (krug). also I just resigned krug because idk what the status of urho/lauzon/zboril will be at come the 2020 season. hopefully 2 of the 3 are ready to make the jump and krug can either be traded or he'll just walk because i think this would be his year of hitting the UFA market
Here are a list of things that happened that resulted in the bruins becoming a playoff team:
Pastrnak went from a 15 goal, 26 point guy to a 35 goal, 80 point guy.
Marchand went from a 60 point guy to an 85 point guy (while missing time)
Kevan Miller and Brandon Carlo emerged to make their D much younger and better
the coaching staff was replaced
Chara got healthy...his play has been so much better the last two years.
Charlie McAvoy, who I might argue is their most important player joined the team.
Last year saw Heinen, Debrusk, and grizz all play huge roles.
the powerplay became lethal.
yet it's the guy that had 71 points combined the last two seasons that makes the difference?
no, it's coincidence. There's a reason Backes played SIX MINUTES in a critical playoff game. He's awful. It's one of the worst contracts in the league. Krejci is a 5 million dollar player getting 7.25. Backes is a 1 million dollar player getting 6. ditch Backes, 10 times out of 10. He might be a healthy scratch for some games this year.