Confirmed Signing with Link: [BOS] David Backes (5 years, $6.000M AAV)

[Burt Reynolds]

That's the going rate for a UFA of Backes' ilk. That's more a product of the NHL's screwed up economics than Backes' value as player IMO. Lingering injury concerns or not, Backes still had a good year and finished strong with a tremendous playoff. He'll also have less wear and tear playing on the Bruins and in the Eastern Conference. I actually envision an uptick in production-at least for the next few years.

I expect 50-60 points the 1st 2 years, roughly 45-50 in year 3, and then anywhere from 45 on down to about 35 the last 2 years(which are not protected by NMC, and will probably be bought out or traded anyways)