Boston Bruins Sign David Backes to Five Year Contract
The Boston Bruins and David Backes have come to terms on a five year, $30 million contract that will see the veteran forward earn $6 million per season. Backes is a versatile player who can play both center, and the wing, and brings a gritty, hard-nose style of play to the Bruins lineup.
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After losing Milan Lucic, Johnny Boychuk, Nathan Horton, and Shawn Thornton over the last few years, the Bruins were a shadow of their former-selves in terms of hard-hitting, physical players. The signing of Backes, while admittedly overpriced for the term given, is a good one if the Bruins are looking to re-capture their old identity.
Loui Eriksson signed a six year contract with the Vancouver Canucks prior to the Backes signing, and it seemed as though the Bruins were looking to fill their top-six with the 32 year old winger rather than play him at his natural center position. That may not be the case, however, according to Backes himself.
Backes, while on the phone with TSN, stated that Boston’s “all-in” attitude was what motivated him the most to sign with Boston.
Backes also said that he would be used in different ways at different times, but the aim was to use him at center. This raises questions as the Bruins already have Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci at center, as well as Ryan Spooner in the third line center role.
Next: Eriksson Signs With Canucks
Paying any player $6 million over the course of five years is a big investment, but it’s even bigger when committing that to a player designated to play on the third line. Questions will fly in the coming days and weeks as to what the Bruins will do with their crowded center-ice position. With a strong need for defense, Ryan Spooner could be the odd-man out in a potential trade that could see the young center as a focal point of a trade.