Credit: The Boston Globe Author: Nathan Gagne
On Wednesday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that David Backes would be suspended 3 games for his late and high hit on Frans Nielsen. Link to Video: www.nhl.com/video/backes-suspended-three-games/t-277440360/c-58518803 This an absolute injustice and abuse of power. I believe that Backes did deserve some form of punishment for the hit, but 3 games is banana land. The hit itself was a bit high and late considering that Pasta had already gotten the puck and was already looking to score. There is no way that Backes was targeting the head or trying to maliciously hurt Nielsen. Backes' shoulder made contact with Nielsen's head and caused him injury, which is basically an automatic fine or suspension. I think that 1 game would've been a fair penalty, but the NHL Department of Player Safety would've laughed at my opinion. Backes has played 848 NHL games and has NEVER, I repeat, NEVER been fined or suspended in his career. It is unbelievable that he has never been penalized because of his gritty style of play. No prior history and a borderline dirty hit was enough to yield a 3 game suspension, absolute garbage. I assume that Backes will appeal his suspension and I suspect his suspension to be reduced to 2 games. In the mean time, the Bruins will dearly miss Backes as he joins Bergy and McAvoy on the list of important Bruins players who are out. Backes has been a staple on the 3rd line, power play, and penalty kill. His departure leaves Heinen as the only remaining 3rd liner to actually remain on that line. I would expect Wingels to center the 3rd line with Heinen and Gionta on his wings. That line is not great, but this team has dealt with adversity before, and they won't be derailed by a garbage 3 game suspension.
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