Boston Bruins: David Backes suspended for 3 games

In a surprising turn of events, The NHL announced that Boston Bruins forward David Backes would be suspended for three games Wednesday afternoon.

Well, I did not see this coming. The

have lost yet another player. The NHL has suspended

3 games. This is a harsh punishment. Especially since Backes has never been suspended at all. To bring down the hammer on Backes seems to make no sense especially when you look at the hit in question.

Is the hit late? Maybe. Backes isn’t headhunting here, there is no elbow going up high, and Backes didn’t leave his feet. The only thing that Backes is guilty of is a late hit, which definitely doesn’t deserve a 3 game suspension.

Backes was called for roughing on the play which is the correct call. As the video shows though it is hard to see where Backes makes clear contact with the head. It looks like the players may have banged heads which caused Frans Nielsen to fall to the ground.

This makes zero sense

Now if Backes was fined would I be complaining? Nope. Fine him half his salary for all I care, but to take a player who has no record of misconduct and take him out of three games late in the season is egregious.

With Backes out it looks like we will see both Brian Gionta and Tommy Wingels in the starting lineup. Wingels will probably slide into Backes’s spot on the third line since he and Backes have a similar style of play.

The Bruins are being put to the test. With no Patrice Bergeron, Charlie McAvoy and now Backes we will see what this team is made of. If the Bruins can come out of these next 3 games with 4 points it would be a big statement.

Next: Jake Debrusk: The forgotten member of the 2nd line

I guess Backes will get to rest on the 9th floor which is the only positive to come out of this situation. Bruins fans will get their first look at the team without Backes on Thursday night when they play the Philadelphia Flyers.

Home/Boston Bruins