from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

On Tuesday, in the Americans’ 3-2 exhibition-finale win over Finland, Backes centered the fourth line between Justin Abdelkader and defenseman-turned-wing Dustin Byfuglien. Backes logged 13:28 of ice time, including 2:03 on the penalty kill, as fourth-line pivot and man-down specialist. Something will have gone very wrong if Backes is filling the same position in Boston.

The Bruins did not invest $30 million in the ex-Blues captain over five years to play him on the fourth line. Backes will be a go-to player, perhaps as the No. 2 right wing alongside David Krejci in the right-shot widebody role once played by Jarome Iginla and Nathan Horton. Backes could take late-game shifts with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron to give the Bruins a stifling defensive line.

Or he could be the No. 3 center behind Bergeron and Krejci, moving Ryan Spooner to left wing. Backes will be a net-front presence on the power play, a regular penalty killer, and always counted on to bring the pain.

“He’s one of the best two-way centers,” Pietrangelo said. “He’s the best net-front guy I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen a guy be able to tip a puck as well as he can. He does everything. He scores goals. He makes plays. His biggest thing is being able to play the defensive side of the game. He’s a guy who can shut down anybody. He plays big minutes on the penalty kill, power play. If you’re looking for a guy who can play in all situations, Dave’s going to be the guy.”

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