Bruins Notebook: What’s next after David Backes will not report to Providence? Tuukka Rask cleared to return

Those seeking some clarity on David Backes’ precarious situation with the Bruins are going to have to wait a little longer. 

After getting waived by the Bruins for the purpose of assignment to Providence on Jan. 17, Backes found himself at a crossroads. Retirement stood as a potential option, or perhaps a few weeks down with the Baby B's would allow the veteran to remain in game shape while the team looked for a more definitive conclusion. 

Well, it looks as though both avenues are off the table for now.

During Boston’s practice Thursday morning at Warrior Ice Arena, Don Sweeney released a brief statement on Backes — noting that both parties have agreed that time spent down in the AHL is not the preferable route as of right now. 

“After speaking with David, we have agreed that it is in the best interest of David and the Bruins for him not to play in Providence at this time,” Sweeney said. “David is fit and able to play, but in order to preserve all potential options for both David and the Bruins moving forward, we have decided this is the best course of action.”

Given Backes’ history of concussions, the decision to hold him out against AHL competition and the various goons sprinkled throughout the rosters down there is a responsible decision. But where exactly do both Backes and the team go from here? 



With Backes apparently not wanting to hang up his skates, it looks as though both parties are willingly accepting a state of limbo for the time being — with Boston likely exploring a trade to see if it can get Backes’ contract off the books and get the forward back on an NHL roster. 

As we noted last weekend, a trade would not be easy for the Bruins when it comes to jettisoning an ineffective Backes and that albatross of a contract. But it’s not impossible, especially with rebuilding teams with solid cap space willing to take on bad deals in exchange for prospects or picks. 

The Anaheim Ducks seem like a logical fit, given that they hold around $3.5 million in cap space and about $10 million currently on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) with Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves on the shelf. 

Boston would have to eat some of Backes’ remaining cap hit and include some pieces to facilitate such a deal, or perhaps they could add even more sweeteners to see if they can nab a potential top-six winger like Ondrej Kase in a larger move. 

Of course, both Boston and Backes could also just wave the white flag and mutually agree for Backes to just sit out the remainder of this season and collect his paychecks. By doing so, the Bruins would likely set themselves up for a buyout agreement this summer — releasing Backes from his contract and allowing him to sign with another club. 

By buying Backes out this summer, his $6 million cap hit would be cut down to $4 million on Boston’s books in 2020-21 — while the B’s would only have to pay another $1 million against the cap during the 2021-22 season. 

Whatever the route Backes and the Bruins choose to take, it unfortunately seems like it’s going to be rather messy. 

“The situation, respectfully, I’m not going to comment on it, because I don’t know the whole perspective of it,” Patrice Bergeron said of Backes. “That being said, he’s had a huge impact on and off the ice. Off the ice, the way that he handles himself as a leader, I’ve learned from. We’ve all learned from. We’re great friends and I wish him all the best.”

Rask returns 

While the bye week allowed just about everyone on the B’s roster to nurse the various bumps and bruises they’ve sustained through 50+ games, that extended time off particularly benefited Tuukka Rask — who is expected to play this weekend for the first time since Jan. 14 against Columbus. 

Rask, who was concussed by Blue Jackets rookie Emil Bemstrom minutes into that matchup earlier this month, noted that he started to feel better just two to three days after the incident, and was able to get back on the ice before going on vacation with his family. 

“I had very bad motion sickness for the first two days,” Rask said of his symptoms. “That was different. My headaches were not too bad. Sat in the car and we started walking and it was kind of spinning a little bit, that was different. Probably, I figured it might be because I was hit in the side of the head, so it messed up my balance. But other than that, I felt pretty good.”

After making it through Boston’s practice Thursday morning at Warrior Ice Arena, Rask will start one of Boston’s upcoming back-to-back slate against either the Jets or Wild.

“I’d typically give you the starter, I want to confirm with Tuukka after today’s practice,” Cassidy said. “This is really his first high-stress practice. Barring anything, waking up tomorrow, he’ll probably be our starter. If not, definitely Saturday. It’s just a matter of if he’s the front end or the back end. .. We just want to make sure he’s 100 percent on board or if he needs another practice.”

Considering the risks and uncertain recovery timeline that comes with concussion-related issues, the Bruins have to be breathing a sigh of relief that Rask should be good to go this weekend — and thanking the scheduling gods for having the bye week fall when it did.

Updates on Miller/Clifton: 

Cassidy noted that both Kevan Miller and Connor Clifton skated earlier on Thursday morning, but added that both blueliners are still a ways away from returning to game action. With both skaters still sidelined, it looks as though the vacancy on Boston’s third D pairing will be filled in by both John Moore and Jeremy Lauzon — who was recalled from Providence on Thursday along with Karson Kuhlman. 

“He’s skating,” Cassidy said of Miller. Hasn’t had any setbacks on the ice so far. It’s been minimal. It’s not with the team, but still, he’s out there. His body is holding up. I guess, until he gets in with the team again, it will be hard to say that he’s making great steps, but right now, he’s sticking with his program, which is a positive this year.

“He seemed to have a few setbacks … We’re going to go away this weekend, I guess I’ll get an update (on Miller) probably when we get back on what his next phase is. I would think Cliffy is a little closer. Like we said, the middle of February was his timeline, so we’re getting into February, so he’d have to skate with us for a while.”