Throughout the NHL there have been numerous bad contracts; Rick Dipietro, David Clarkson, and Ily Kovalchuk to name a few. 2 of the 3 players named above are still on the books for teams, but are not actively playing while Ily Kovalchuk has made his return, signing a 3 year contract with the Kings after signing a 17 year deal with the Devils in 2010.
Boston Bruin’s Worst Contract
Currently, the Boston Bruin’s worst contract is David Backes signed until the 2021-22 season for $6,000,000. The 35 year old 6’3 center/right wing signed with the Bruins at the start of the 2016-17 season after playing for the St. Louis Blues and being their captain for the last 5 years, the Blues drafted him in the second round, 62nd overall in 2003. Backes was made a healthy scratch for the last few games during the 2019 Stanley Cup Final (in which his former team won) and since joining the Bruins, his scoring has gone down. Off ice, Backes and his wife are huge animal welfare advocates. They have started a foundation called Athletes for Animals which raises funds and awareness for rescuing and protecting the welfare of homeless pets. While his toughness and never quit attitude is an amazing quality, I think that the Bruins will soon try to trade him, send him down to the minors or buy his contract out in order to sign players.
Comparables/Who The Bruins Could Trade For
Mikal Backlund: The 6’1, 30 year old center is currently signed with the Calgary Flames until the 2024 season. He was drafted 24th overall by the Flames in 2007. He is making roughly $5,350,000 and is centering a line with Matthew Tkachuk and Michael Frolík playing on either side of him. He was described by his coach as being on of the NHL’s premier two-way players. Off ice, Backlund is a spokesman for the Special Olympics and the Kid’s Cancer Care Foundation. With Calgary recently signing him, it is a long shot that they would want to trade Backlund for Backes.
Bryan Little: The 6 foot, 31 year old center is signed with the Winnipeg Jets until 2024, making roughly $5,291,666. He was drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2006, and stayed with the team when they relocated. He has won the Dan Snyder Memorial Award in 2010-11, 2013-14 and 2016-17. This annual Jets award is given to the player who best embodies perseverance, dedication, and hard work without reward or recognition so his teammates might succeed. The Jets honored former Thrasher Dan Snyder, who died in a car accident in 2003, making the award in 2004.
Josh Bailey: The 6’1, 29 year old right wing is signed with the New York Islanders until 2024, making roughly $5,000,000. He was drafted by the Islanders 9th overall in 2008. He plays on a line with Matthew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier, and puts up decent points. He makes the least out of the other two players and makes $1,000,000 less than Backes.
Do you think that the Bruins will do something with David Backes contract? If so, will it be a trade and who will the Bruins get in return?
Until Next Time
∼RJ
Hybrid Theory Thoughts Blog 