Blaine native David Backes could be the free-agent answer fill the Minnesota Wild’s need for a top six forward. He offers is a complete package that will be an instant boost for the team and their offense.
As the offseason progresses the Minnesota Wild continue to gather their personnel game plan for next season. The disappointment of last season has forced GM Chuck Fletcher to commit to major changes to insure next season the Wild will stay competitive and consistent all season. With about $12 million total to sign all free agents (including the ones in-house) the Wild will be in a position to add a very large piece.
Fletcher has already said that he feels the team is very talented, but the top six forwards could use a boost in personnel. Fletcher was quoted at his end of season press conference as saying “I think we probably need another player or two to help up front.” He later added that “We just have to find a way to get the right fit with the top two lines and we have a chance to become a pretty good three line team next year.”
It wasn’t a secret that the Wild needed to acquire a forward, but taking those two statements at face value Fletcher has declared without a doubt that he is looking to add to the current forward lineup with someone to insert into the top two lines. That means he should be looking to do some big game hunting this offseason and acquire one of the top forwards in free-agency.
The focus of that search should revolve around finding a center. The Wild currently have a lot of options to fill spots on the top lines at Right and Left Wing, but are lacking in options at Center. Additionally, it can be said that Granlund and Coyle have really flourished when given roles on the wing rather than at center. The Wild should be looking to relive their burden and given them freedom to produce playing the wing.
Looking at the field of available UFA centers one name stands out as the most complete player at an affordable price tag. David Backes fits the bill as a scoring center with outstanding two-way play. Furthermore, the 32 year-old former Selke Trophy finalist is coming off a contract with the Blues that has a cap hit of $4.5 million, his new negotiated price tag could be very affordable.
Backes just notched his third straight 20 plus goal season, and his sixth 20 plus season in ten NHL seasons. That gives the Wild an injection of goals that the lineup needs, while additionally adding his two-way play that has seen him as a plus 65 for his career. Possession wise Backes is over 50% in Corsi and Fenwick each season of his career which is a telling sign that he’s a smart player with the puck and has been every season of his career.
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His place in the Wild lineup is obvious, Backes would immediately be able to plug in to center the top line. Placing him there would accomplish two very important things. First, putting Backes on the first line would take the pressure off of Mikko Koivu to move to the second-line and play his game rather than have immense pressure to score goals. Second, is that it would insure as mentioned before that Granlund and Coyle can play on the top two lines on the wing where they have proven to produce more than if they have to play center.
Also with Backes you are getting a proven leader. Backes has been the Blues captain for five seasons and been able to lead a team on and off the ice. If there was any doubt as to his leadership ability one only needs to watch his emotional post -game interview after the Blues elimination in the Western Conference Finals. Backes is a heart and soul player who cares, and the Wild need that in their locker room.
Price tag wise, Backes would certainly be in the price range the Wild can spend. Fletcher explains the Wild’s cap situation best at the press conference when he said “Our cap situation is much better this year. We’re just looking to improve our team. Whatever we need to do to improve our team, we’ll do.”
Backes will most likely be looking to get a modest bump on his current salary, but with his age will more than likely not be able to go north of $6 million a season. The Wild can certainly work that in with only a few small choices with their current free agents. David Jones’ $4 million cap hit mixed with the salary cap extension of $3 million, can single handedly cover the bill to sign Backes.
Finally, when looking at Backes it might be easy to discard him because of his age. At 32 he might look like he’s ready for a decline, but there’s no denying that this last playoffs he stepped up his game and contributed to the Blues’ success with 7 goals and 7 assists. The Wild do not need to sign the center of the future, that’s what players like Joel Eriksson-Ek, Sam Anas, and Tyler Graovac as well as future draft picks are for. With concerns over making a winning team before Parise and Suter age out, the only concern with age should be if the player signed is older than Parise and Suter and if they are on the decline. Backes fits that bill.
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With so many options out there this offseason for the Wild to quench their forward thirst, Backes presents only one of many choices. Still when breaking it down it’s very hard to argue that his résumé is something that the Wild need. Not to mention the Blaine native would fit in well with the hometown team, and there’s no question he’d give all he has. That’s what he’s done for ten seasons already.