Let's Go Pens! Ru

Blues GM Doug Armstrong has strong feelings on the idea of trading Captain David Backes.

"The least likely scenario would be to trade him because we’re trying to win," Armstrong told Rutherford. "A first-round pick does us no good when we’re going to this year’s playoffs. I think we’re going to be a good team and he’s a big part of being a good team." Truth is, the ball is in Backes' court.

If he demands Vlad Tarasenko's contract, Backes will be wearing another team's sweater one way or another. But if he only wants a modest increase over his current $4.5M cap hit, then Blues fans will be happy to have their Captain (likely) finish his career having played entirely in St. Louis. Time will tell, and Feb. 29th is just 37 days away. Lastly, it's worth noting that Backes owns a full No-Trade Clause.

Бекаса на Малкина?

Кирюха, по фентази полюбил?))) Там он да, классный чел))

Нормальный вариант. Бекиса+Шатенкирка на Малкина. Можно в нагрузку перспективного Беню отдать, или не менее перспективного Варсофски

ON THE PENGUINS AND INTEREST IN DAVID BACKES

The St. Louis Blues enter tonight’s game vs Pittsburgh with the fourth most points in the Western Conference, yet, chatter among executives point to Blues GM Doug Armstrong being open for business on a lot of different fronts.

Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, a UFA in July 2017, is likely to command $6-$7 million per season and has had his name out there in trade talks for weeks now with the Blues seeking young impact forwards in return.

Another name to watch before the February 29 deadline is David Backes who the Blues are said to be willing to move to the Eastern Conference if the right deal comes their way.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman threw the Penguins out there last week as a team that he could see looking into Backes.



For the Capitals who owe it to themselves to go all in this season with already being head and shoulders above everyone else in the East, there’s no question they should be strongly looking into the likes of Backes (Caps have need for 3rd line center) and Dustin Byfuglien (Expected to be a top target of the Capitals).

As for the Penguins?

A diminishing player who turns 32 in May, Backes is the type of player the Penguins should be avoiding when it comes to the cost and unless they moved a big salary like Phil Kessel in the summer, they would have no ability to sign Backes in the summer.

Despite the offensive numbers already declining, there’s going to be a team or two throwing a 5 year, $30 million type deal at Backes in the summer.

That said, at least for the short-term as a rental, one thing to consider from the Penguins end is Backes $4.5 million cap hit is manageable for the Penguins with a little creativity. One NHL source said again today Rutherford is already planting seeds of being a GM who will be all-in on the big names out there.

You don’t think Rutherford would love to go into the post-season with Sidney Crosby – Evgeni Malkin – David Backes down the middle? Did some checking and there is certainly intrigue.

Again the view from Rutherford and others (not all) in the organization is that this group has just had some bad luck this season and can beat anyone in the East. The Penguins are going to continue to be buyers and almost every prospect and non-core player will be in play for the right deal.

For the Blues to move Backes, indications are the cost would be an impact NHL top-9 player in his prime that the Blues would control (contract) and can help them now along with a combination of a high pick/ top prospect.

Would a package centered around Nick Bonino and Derrick Pouliot get the Blues attention? Sure wouldn’t seem like enough to get into the mix but Doug Armstrong doesn’t have the reputation of a GM you want to trade with for nothing.

так уу Малкина запрет на обмен? Чего ради он должен уезжать? Его все устраивает