On Friday, the Boston Bruins signed former St. Louis Blues forward and captain, David Backes to a five-year deal worth $30 million. The move comes after the team wasn’t able to re-sign winger Loui Eriksson, who signed in Vancouver with the Canucks.
#NHLBruins sign forward David Backes to 5-year contract through 2020-21 worth an average annual value of $6 million: https://t.co/Z7v9ROYYc5
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 1, 2016
Backes, 32, has spent his entire career with the St. Louis Blues and was a big factor in their run to the Western Conference Final this past season by scoring 14 points in 20 games. Backes registered 45 points in 79 games with the Blues this season and has 460 points in his 727 career games.
Backes is a former all-star (2010-2011) and Selke Trophy finalist (2011-12), and now joins a team with an established core. Patrice Bergeron missed out on winning the Selke Trophy this season, but will now have a potential leader to work with and teach the younger players (David Pastrnak, Frank Vatrano etc.).
The Bruins will now turn their attention to other areas of need like the fourth line, defense and a backup goalie (Jonas Gustavsson inked a one-year deal in Edmonton). Going into next season, the Bruins hope to avoid a third straight year of missing the playoffs.
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