If David Backes has his way, the pending unrestricted free agent will be back with the St. Louis Blues when the puck drops on the 2016-17 season.
He told reporters on Saturday that there’s “no question” he wants to return to the only NHL team he’s ever known.
The 32-year-old has been the captain of the Blues since the ’11-12 season, providing physicality, leadership and offence to a club that this season broke through the first round of the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.
St. Louis ultimately fell to the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Final, but a core is in place that should remain competitive going forward.
The Blues have just over $58 million in cap space committed for ’16-17, not including a raise for restricted free agent Jaden Schwartz, who earned $2.7 million this year (with a $2.35-million cap hit).
Troy Brouwer will also hit the open market come July 1, and defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk will head into next season with just one year remaining on his four-year, $17-million contract.
Backes had a cap hit of $4.5 million this year, and should have plenty of suitors willing to commit long term.
He’s topped 20 goals in each of the last five full NHL seasons and has reached the 30-goal plateau twice in his 10-year NHL career.
The native of Minneapolis, Minn. will also play for the United States at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. He won a silver medal with the U.S. at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
