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

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

$30M over 5-years?

Can't blame Backes one bit for taking that. Can't blame the Blues one bit for not offering that. That's an awful big contract for a 40-point center on the wrong side of 30. Yikes.

He's 32, how is that the wrong side of 30? When the contract is finished you mean?

Thats what happens when you sign a guy on July 1, overpayment. Money is fine IMO but term is too long.

 

[b in vancouver]

This takes defensive burdens off Bergeron's back and creates matchup issues for other teams. I like it from Boston's POV.

That's what I think. They missed the playoffs on the last game of the season without a 3rd or 4th line - Backes is exactly what they needed.
Although I'm always a bit sad to see '03 picks change teams.

 

[WonderTwinsUnite]

I thought he would go to TO.

 

[Stealth JD]

He's 32, how is that the wrong side of 30?

You just answered your own question...in the same sentence no less. That's impressive, yet somewhat perplexing.

He's already 32, with a lot of wear on those tires, and you're signing him long-term to big dollars. That would have been an "ok" deal for years 27-32. But for 32-37? Pretty risky.

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

He's 32, how is that the wrong side of 30? When the contract is finished you mean?

Thats what happens when you sign a guy on July 1, overpayment. Money is fine IMO but term is too long.

Over the age of 30=Wrong side of 30.

 

[bleedblue1223]

He's 32, how is that the wrong side of 30? When the contract is finished you mean?

Thats what happens when you sign a guy on July 1, overpayment. Money is fine IMO but term is too long.

Dude, he's slowing down, he's not the same Backes that you think of.

 

[Man Rocket]

Dude, he's slowing down, he's not the same Backes that you think of.

Really? He was an animal all post season

 

[SenzZen]

Worst signing I've seen so far today.

 

[AvroArrow]

Bergeron, Krejci, Backes..........

 

[bleedblue1223]

Really? He was an animal all post season

Because he was on the wing away from the hard matchups.

 

[NewBoysClub97*]

This and the Ladd contract look like the top two terrible ones.

 

[HockeyMomx2]

With regard to the seemingly numerous future buyout contracts over the last couple days, I'm starting to wonder if GM's are doing them knowing they aren't going to protect these players in the expansion draft?

 

[bleedblue1223]

With regard to the seemingly numerous future buyout contracts over the last couple days, I'm starting to wonder if GM's are doing them knowing they aren't going to protect these players in the expansion draft?

Backes has a NMC for the first 3 years, he has to be protected.

 

[burstnbloom]

Because he was on the wing away from the hard matchups.

He will either be playing on the best possession line in hockey or playing on the 3rd line. Its probably a year too long and $1 mil too high but UFA man...UFA.

I think he is either:

Marchand - Bergeron - Backes

or:

Vatrano - Backes - Hayes

I bet after 5 years the Bruins look back and say

 

[bleedblue1223]

He will either be playing on the best possession line in hockey or playing on the 3rd line. Its probably a year too long and $1 mil too high but UFA man...UFA.

I think he is either:

Marchand - Bergeron - Backes

or:

Vatrano - Backes - Hayes

I bet after 5 years the Bruins look back and say

If it's the 3rd, I wouldn't expect a ton of production. He'd beventually good on the wing for a few more years.

 

[Avelanche]

Why didn't they just keep Eriksson if they were giving someone worse then him the same money.

 

[burstnbloom]

If it's the 3rd, I wouldn't expect a ton of production. He'd beventually good on the wing for a few more years.

I think it's pretty reasonable to expect 10-15 ES goals and 20 A out of that line as their matchups will be against bottom pair D. The value to the Bruins is that their system requires the Center to essentially be a third defenseman and is easily the most important player on the ice. Claude can play him against other team's 3rd lines and he can drive possession from there.

With Bergeron, he would be outstanding. Bergeron makes everyone better but Backes is a great fit for that line. Good defense on the D, hard on the boards, still has a decent shot to put feeds from Bergy on net. Connolly got so many open looks last year but was incapable of putting the puck on net.

 

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

Why didn't they just keep Eriksson if they were giving someone worse then him the same money.

Its one less year.

 

[Bread and Circuses]

Why didn't they just keep Eriksson if they were giving someone worse then him the same money.

One of these things is not like the other.

I'd put a bunch of stock in the possibility of Spooner + going for a good D man.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Enjoy the last half of that contract! Seriously, that's horrible.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Too long by about a year or so. Will his body hold up by the end of this deal?

This is my concern as well. Backes (and Lucic's) style of game is one that typically doesn't age well.

 

[SharksFan1]

Backes just said on TSN that Boston is planning to play Krejci, Bergeron and Backes. So he's a 3C making 6M. Lolllllllllll.

and Kessel made more than that to play on Pit. 3rd line. Having 3 solid lines is not a bad thing.

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

A good 20g-20a guy but the term and cost seem a bit high as he's already 32.

 

[wintersej]

Honestly, I think he ends up on Spooner's RW going up against lesser competition.

 

[bleedblue1223]

and Kessel made more than that to play on Pit. 3rd line. Having 3 solid lines is not a bad thing.

The problem with that thinking is thinking that Backes still has the ability to lead a line. When he is paired with other 3rd liners, it looks bad, especially if those 3rd liners can't create offense.