The Boston Bruins waived veteran forward David Backes earlier this month and assigned him to the minor leagues in order to bury part of his $6MM cap hit. He was given time to consider his future and whether he would report to the Providence Bruins of the AHL, but today it was announced that he will not play for them. Boston GM Don Sweeney released a short statement explaining the situation (in part):
After speaking with David, we have agreed that it is in the best interest of David and the Bruins for him not to play in Providence at this time. David is fit and able to play, but in order to preserve all potential options for both David and the Bruins moving forward, we have decided this is the best course of action.
Long-time NHL analyst John Shannon weighed in on Twitter, suggesting that the Bruins are trying to “manufacture a trade” for Backes before the deadline. That would seem to be a difficult task, given how expensive he is. The 35-year old forward has another season on his contract with that $6MM cap hit, though his actual salary is just $4MM.
By keeping him in the minor leagues, the Bruins save $1.075MM in full-season cap hit, but retirement or a mutual termination would be much better options for the club. That would wipe Backes’ entire contract off the books, though he would have to be willing to give up the money remaining on it.
Another option for the Bruins would be to buy him out in the summer. A buyout for Backes in June would mean the Bruins save $2MM against the cap for 2020-21, but would incur a $1MM penalty in 2021-22.
No matter what the eventual outcome, it’s a tough way for the former St. Louis Blues captain to go out. Once a reliable power forward that could contribute at both ends of the rink, Backes hasn’t been able to generate any offense since 2018. He has just three points in 16 NHL games this season.
His career is prob over. Lucky if he gets another shot with the big club
my guess is there is a trade of bad contracts simmering and they don’t want to risk him hurt.
If he’s hurt they just throw him on LTIR. That might work out better for them, so I think they were just done and content to save the 1 mil unless something materializes or he agrees to termination.
then retire ans stop wasting other’s money doing nothing
Not his fault they signed him to the deal! If he retires, he doesn’t get it. Sit home, collect the paycheck.
Counting his money might take his mind off his bruised ego!
Takes 2 to tango (either agreeing to a contract or to a trade).
That $$ is to hard to walk away from.
Grow a pair Sweeney! If you haven’t been able to trade Backes the last 3 years and no one picked him up on waivers, then why do they think him not playing for Providence is going to change anything?!?
Send him to Ottawa with assets and take back nothing or else take back Pageau or other rentals and increase the value of the assets.
What are the Bruins’ salary cap implications of this move? What if he actually does retire?
Either deal him back to Blues so he can retire there and his $6 million dollar contract and get some prospects and draft choices or ship him of to Minnesota for Jason Zucker and his $5.5 million plus a prospect if Wild are wanting to move him or one of their D-men and put Zucker on second line with Krejci and DeBrusk.
Tucker is scoring & Backes is not. How is that trade even fair to Minnesota?
Fair if the prospect is Studnicka maybe.
or Forsbaka-Karlsson or defensive prospect.
You would have to be crazy to retire knowing you are throwing away $4,000,000.
Situations like this always suck, when a good guy can’t play up to the huge contract he was given. The player winds up becoming a pariah to the fans and they want him to give up the money he was promised. I feel for Backes and wish him the best.