There is always risk when signing an unrestricted free agent to a contract with a bit of term to it, especially as most free agents are in their late twenties and most players see a decline in their thirties. There are some exceptions to the rule; Zdeno Chara instantly springs to mind as someone that merely adapted in his thirties. Unfortunately for the Boston Bruins, David Backes doesn’t appear to be an exception and has struggled to adapt.
David Backes was signed by the Boston Bruins to a five-year deal worth $6 million a season commencing in the 2016-17 season, leaving behind the team he was drafted by and captained, the St.