The NHL Department of Player Saftey announced that Boston Bruins forward David Backes has been suspended for three games. This is the first time he has been fined or suspended in his career.
Boston’s David Backes suspended three games for interference on Detroit’s Frans Nielsen. https://t.co/TaN0CGiY8v
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 7, 2018
“In addition to the lateness of the check, what elevates this hit to merit supplemental discipline is the significant head contact that occurs, and the force with which it is delivered,” the league’s video explanation said.
Boston Bruins David Backes Suspended
David Backes has been suspended for three games and will forfeit $96,774 in salary for an incident with Detroit Red Wings centre Frans Nielsen. At the end of the first period of Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings Backes laid a late high hit on Nielsen knocking him out of the game.
So far this season, Backes scored 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 47 games played. He also added 34 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 56.2 % Corsi and a relative Corsi of +2.8.
Over his 11-year NHL career, Backes has played for the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins. He has put up 206 goals and 254 assists for 460 career points in 727 career games. He was originally drafted in the second round, 62nd overall of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
What This Means for the Future
Backes will miss tomorrows game against the Philadelphia Flyers as well as this weekend’s home and home matchups with the Chicago Blackhawks. He is eligible to return on March 13th when the Bruins face the Carolina Hurricanes.
Backes has been playing on the third line with Danton Heinen and Brian Gionta. Expect Tommy Wingels to take his spot in the lineup for the next three games.
Main Photo: OTTAWA, ON – APRIL 12: David Backes #42 of the Boston Bruins looks on against the Ottawa Senators in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 12, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
