The Bruins’ depth, much of it added in the days leading into the NHL’s Feb. 26 trade deadline, is about to undergo yet another stress test.
Already deployed to cover for the losses of No. 1 center Patrice Bergeron (fractured foot) and top-pairing rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy (sprained MCL), the B’s must now move pieces to account for the absence of David Backes, whom the NHL suspended on Wednesday for three games. [...]
The Bruins’ depth, much of it added in the days leading into the NHL’s Feb. 26 trade deadline, is about to undergo yet another stress test.
Already deployed to cover for the losses of No. 1 center Patrice Bergeron (fractured foot) and top-pairing rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy (sprained MCL), the B’s must now move pieces to account for the absence of David Backes, whom the NHL suspended on Wednesday for three games.
Never disciplined by the league over a 12-year career that totals more than 900 games, including playoffs, Backes was disciplined for a hit on Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen late in the first period of the Bruins’ 6-5, overtime win on Tuesday. Backes was penalized for roughing; Nielsen never returned to the game.
In a video explaining its ruling, the NHL ruled that Backes had committed an interference infraction against Nielsen, who had attempted a break-out pass in Wings territory, because “Backes does not initiate this hit until after the puck is (passed), and contact is made outside the allowable window for finishing a check.
“What elevates this hit to merit supplemental discipline is the significant head contact that occurs, and the force with which it is delivered.”
Backes’ suspension begins with Thursday night’s game against the Flyers at TD Garden (7:05, NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5), and carries through this weekend’s Saturday-Sunday, home-road series against the Blackhawks. He will be eligible to return on Tuesday, March 13, at Carolina.
The suspension further thins the Bruins’ depth at center. Backes, the Bruins’ third-line right wing for most of the season, was shifted to center after Bergeron left the lineup following a Feb. 25 game at Buffalo. Riley Nash, who had been the No. 3 center, has since centered the top line in place of Bergeron, who is not expected to return during Backes’ suspension.
Tommy Wingels, acquired from the Blackhawks in a last-minute deal at the Feb. 26 deadline, may be the Bruins’ next option. He has played both wing positions over three games since joining the Bruins (two of them on a line with Backes), but also has experience playing center over a seven-year NHL career.
Other possible options, both of which would leave Wingels on the wing, involve moving No. 4 center Sean Kuraly to the third line, and switching fourth-line Noel Acciari from right wing to center, where he has experience.
The Bruins’ most likely minor-league option would be to promote Austin Czarnik, the AHL Providence Bruins’ top scorer with 15 goals and 50 points over 47 games). He has played 10 games (4 assists) for the B’s this season, Czarnik, who has played 59 career NHL games (5-12—17), had three assists during a four-game recall to Boston from Feb. 3-10.