NHL Notebook: Which team makes most sense in potential David Backes trade; sizing up PWHA midseason awards

It will take a few more days before we begin to get some clarity on David Backes’ future — both with the Bruins and the NHL in general.

When the news broke last week that the Bruins opted to waive the veteran forward for the purpose of assignment to Providence, we discussed the multiple routes that Backes could take in the days ahead. 

Remaining in Providence for the rest of the 2019-20 campaign would seem to be the worst-case scenario for all parties. With his extensive history with concussions, Backes shouldn’t be regularly scrapping with goons down in the AHL ranks, while the Bruins are only saving a little over $1 million in cap space by demoting Backes down to the Baby B’s. 

The best-case scenario for the Bruins (and given his health, probably Backes as well) would be for Backes to hang up his skates and retire. Not only would it put the forward’s health first, but it would hand Boston a stimulus package of cap relief. Given that Backes did not sign his contract with Boston before he turned 35, Boston would not have to face a recapture penalty if the winger did retire — freeing up $6 million in cap space next season. 

However, that decision is ultimately up to Backes. And based on Elliotte Friedman’s weekly “31 Thoughts” notebook, it doesn’t look as though retirement is currently on the table. 

So, what’s next? Perhaps Backes plays through the remainder of this season, and Boston buys out the final year of his contract this summer. But if Backes still wants another crack at the NHL in short order, maybe a trade could be struck before the Feb. 24 deadline? 

It’s not necessarily a position that Don Sweeney and the Bruins want to be in, given that Boston’s GM would likely want to divert more resources into acquiring outside help this winter — rather than find an off-taker for Backes’ contract. 

The number of teams willing to take on Backes’ contract has also shrunk since this past offseason, with only a choice few teams likely willing to take on some of that cap hit — even if they’d get picks and prospects as sweeteners from the Bruins. 

It might be a tall task for Sweeney to pull off such a deal this season — but there are a few potential suitors for the Bruins to consider. 

As of this weekend, there are nine teams in the NHL that currently hold over $4 million in available cap space, according to CapFriendly. While some of these teams would likely not want to take up valuable cap space (Avalanche, Blue Jackets), there are also plenty of clubs that could use that extra cap space to accelerate their rebuild. 

The Carolina Hurricanes took advantage of their cap room last summer — taking on the final year of Patrick Marleau’s contract with the Maple Leafs while also receiving a 2020 first-round pick from Toronto. 

The Anaheim Ducks, with about $4 million in projected cap space, could be the next team that cashes in by absorbing another albatross of a contract. Along with their current cap space, Anaheim can also extend beyond the league’s $81.5 million cap ceiling this season thanks to the $11.5 million currently on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) with Ryan Kesler, Patrick Eaves and Nick Ritchie all on the shelf. 

Friedman noted earlier this month on a “Hockey Night in Canada” segment that the Ducks, still rudderless with a rebuild on the horizon, might be willing to take on a couple of hefty contracts in exchange for solid returns. 

If you’re Ducks GM Bob Murray, perhaps acquiring a veteran like Backes could prove beneficial on what should be a Ducks roster loaded with younger talent in 2020-21. It’s certainly a feasible move, given that Boston would likely have to eat some of Backes’ contract and include prospects and/or picks to facilitate such a deal. 

Even if Boston would still be on the hook for, let’s say, around $3 million of Backes' $6 million cap hit next season, it’d be better than the $2 million in savings that the Bruins would earn from buying out Backes’ contract in 2020-21.

Perhaps a team like Anaheim would also be willing to listen to a deal that extends beyond just a cap dump from the Bruins? If Boston wanted to place additional picks or prospects into the pot, maybe the Ducks will add a winger like Ondrej Kase in the trade?

As we noted earlier this month, Kase is not as much of a sure bet as wingers like Chris Kreider, Tyler Toffoli and Kyle Palmieri, but the underlying numbers with Kase showcase a winger that could be an offensive force if handed consistent top-six minutes. 

Even if the Ducks aren’t the right fit for Boston, there are plenty of other rebuilding franchises with the cap freedom to eat up a bad contract — such as the Senators ($6.38 million in cap room) and Kings ($5.72 million).

It won’t be easy, but if Backes is willing to waive his eight-team no-trade clause, there are options for the Bruins to take. 

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1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers


2. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche


3. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins

1. John Carlson, Washington Capitals


2. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators


3. Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes

1. Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers


2. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins


3. Ryan O’Reilly, St. Louis Blues

1. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche


2. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks


3. Victor Olofsson, Buffalo Sabres

1. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche


2. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs


3. Ryan O’Reilly, St. Louis Blues

1. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets


2. Ben Bishop, Dallas Stars


3. Darcy Kuemper, Arizona Coyotes

1. Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins


2. John Tortorella, Columbus Blue Jackets


3. Craig Berube, St. Louis Blues

1. Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche


2. John Chayka, Arizona Coyotes


3. Doug Armstrong, St. Louis Blues

1. Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes


2. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning


3. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

1. William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs


2. Anthony Duclair, Ottawa Senators


3. Max Pacioretty, Vegas Golden Knights

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