Fansided

NHL Free Agency Rumors: Bruins have significant interest in David Backes

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) in action during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scottrade Center. Toronto won the game 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) in action during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scottrade Center. Toronto won the game 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to Bob McKenzie, St. Louis Blues captain David Backes will hit the free agent market and the Boston Bruins have significant interest in him.

Thanks to a very strong postseason, center David Backes ensured himself that he would be a coveted player in the 2016 NHL offseason. He will hit the free agent market and according to Bob McKenzie, the Boston Bruins have “significant interest” in the former St. Louis Blues captain.

The Bruins’ interest in Backes is a tad bit interesting. Backes is a very good player but the Bruins currently have three very good centers and seem to be set there. Patrice Bergeron is a perennial Selke Trophy candidate. David Krejci is one of the most underrated scoring line centers in the NHL. Ryan Spooner took some huge steps forward in his development last season. So where does Backes fit in if the Bruins sign him?

Perhaps the Bruins are trying to trade one of their centers in their search to upgrade their blue line. Krejci could fetch a nice return, but his huge cap hit of over $7 million could make it difficult to trade him. Spooner could likely draw a nice return too, though not as big as the one that Krejci would likely get.

Backes had 21 goals and 24 assists during the 2015-16 season. During the postseason, he had seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 20 games.

For more NHL Free Agency coverage, check out our NHL hub page.

Home/Boston Bruins