St. Louis Blues Trade Rumors: Is Backes On The Block?

According to The Hockey Press, St. Louis Blues captain David Backes may be on the trading block. The teams listed as interested in acquiring him are Philadelphia, Minnesota, Washington and Ottawa.

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Before I get any further, I’ll let you read the rumor itself.

"David Backes and his teams were eliminated in the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, after having a marvelous regular season. The STL organization decided they need change, although they didn’t fire their Coach Ken Hitchcock they did trade star forward T.J Oshie, and have been talking to teams on 1st line center David Backes. We’ve heard PHI expressed serious interest in the C. Not much information has been released but we have heard that the St. Louis Blues were interested in Brayden Schenn, and Radko Gudas. OTT has also expressed interest, and are willing to pay a hefty amount for David Backes to pack his bags and come to Ottawa."

While your first inclination might be to panic (mine certainly was), this rumor needs to be taken with a whole salt lick. There are a number of reasons why the Blues might look to trade Backes and his certainly-not-small cap hit to their coffers.

His age, the fact that he is no longer a 1C, if indeed he ever truly belonged on the first line — there’s a phenomenal case to be made for putting him on the second line where he’ll be just as effective, if not more so, but that’s a case for another time and place — and the not-inconsiderable reason that his contract is up in July means the Blues might get more by trading Backes at this juncture than by keeping him.

All four teams listed have traded with St. Louis in the past, and even some in the past few months. St. Louis acquired Brodziak from Minnesota, Brouwer from Washington, and UFA Porter signed with Philadelphia in early August.

But Philadelphia’s approximately $500,000 in cap space (according to General Fanager) doesn’t suggest that Backes is their kind of guy, no matter how gritty and tough he is.

Minnesota might be a trade partner for minor parts, but how likely is it that St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would think it a grand idea to send them his face of the franchise, Captain America?

Minnesota kicked the Blues out of the playoffs in the first round last season, and it would be asking a lot of Backes to join up with the Wild. Not to mention the fact that they’re division rivals, and would have to face Backes (and his hits) five times a season.

Next: Six Reasons Why David Backes Is Captain America

Washington has less than $1 million available in salary space. No. Just no.

Ottawa is the only team where this rumor might hold some water simply due to the salary space available. However, they have no shortage of leadership with Karlsson as captain, and while they’re not necessarily stacked at center, given the rest of the teams in company with Ottawa in this rumor…we’re not inclined to take this terribly seriously.

Not to mention the fact that Armstrong is not in the habit of making late offseason deals. That’s not to say one couldn’t happen, but we think it’s highly unlikely that this rumor has much truth behind it.

Trade debunked.

Next: Brouwer Is Not The New Oshie

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