Although the Bruins would certainly not want to part with an asset to get out of the remainder of David Backes’ contract, Pro Hockey Talk’s James O’Brien argues that doing so may be a necessary evil this offseason. Boston has a pair of young defensemen to re-sign in Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo and with about $8MM in cap space to work with per CapFriendly, that probably won’t be enough to get both signed. While parting with a pick and/or prospect to move Backes and his $6MM price tag, freeing that up would safely allow them to re-sign both defenders plus take a run at an extension for blueliner Torey Krug who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. As Backes no longer has a no-move clause in his contract (though he still has considerable no-trade protection), he’s someone that could be waived and sent to the minors next season but doing so would only open up $1.075MM in extra cap room.
Elsewhere out East:
- Devils winger Taylor Hall will be entering the final year of his contract in 2019-20 and there haven’t been significant discussions about a contract extension just yet. GM Ray Shero told NHL.com’s Mike Morreale that he doesn’t expect Hall’s pending free agency to be a distraction next season. The 27-year-old projects to be one of the top players in the 2020 UFA class and with Artemi Panarin setting a new benchmark for wingers in free agency, it wouldn’t be too surprising if Hall’s current asking price is in that $11MM range.
- While some teams have shied away from handing out extra years on contracts in an effort to lower the cap hit in recent years, Capitals GM Brian MacLellan acknowledged to J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington that he was comfortable offering extra term to his class of free agent signings to get them at a cheaper price tag. Wingers Richard Panik, Carl Hagelin, and Garnet Hathaway all received four-year deals from Washington, a term that not many expected. However, the trio has a combined $7MM cap hit, a reasonable price tag for three upgrades to their depth.
Really not sure what the Bruins are thinking that McAvoy will accept in his new contract but feel that Sweeney should’ve already dealt Krug and/or attached this years low 1st round pick to Backes to free up the money.
I would if I were Sweeney to move on from Backes , and a prospect /or say 3rd round pick , in order to retain Krug on a extension as Chara may not be with team much longer if he decides to hang the big skates he carries, with the playoff injuries I saw this years in him missing valuable games in their run to the cup. and securing future years with Carlo, and McAvoy. I say this move will be good for the Bruins.
It’ll be more than a 3rd rounder to get rid of him. The Marleau trade set the market at 6 mil for a 1st rounder. And that was only for 1 year.
Krug is going to want north of 7 mil per to re-sign and he is not worth that kind of cap space. If I were in Sweeney’s position right now I would explore a trading Krug and Backes and his entire contract as a package. Obviously, the return wouldn’t be very much but if they were to even just get a mid-round draft pick they cap space made available would open the door to a long term deal for both McAvoy and Carlo as well as looking for that elusive top six forward. Krugs value is in the PP and I think McAvoy or Grezlyk can fill that void.
Krug and Backes for Lucic…who says no?
Krug $5,2500,000 Backes $6,000,000 , where as Lucic comes in at $6,000,000 so Krug for Backes to cancel fair trade that evens out salary wise , and as rumors here and elsewhere Edmonton is in cap crunch so don’t feel they would want to pay the $5.25 m for Krug. They would have to dump salaries and don’t think Boston has any interests in Rieder whom they are wanting to move out of organization and don’t see any forward prospects for Oilers , Bruins would have interest in , we can talk about Ethan Bear and 2nd rounder ? , sorry josh would have to say no , don’t see it, you can always return the favor on some of my trades suggestions , lol have a good day.
Boston cause that trade makes no sense.
No.
azcm2511 I agree. It might just take a Backes/Krug package to move Backes.
The Bruins aren’t trading Krug to get rid of Backes’ contract. That would be beyond stupid. Sweeney has said that he views Krug as part of the leadership group moving forward & that he’d have to be blown away to trade him. Cap space isn’t going to replace Krug’s 53 points. McAvoy isn’t going to score 53 more points than he did last season. Backes has an 8 team trade list. That list is probably all contenders who can’t afford his cap hit. The best the Bruins might be able to do is to eat half of his contract & gain $3 million in cap space