Quoting: Jamiepo
Backes 6m can’t play hockey/Marleau 6.25m can play hockey cap destroyed?
Backes has an 8 team trade list... might as well be a full nmc with the way he plays.
Backes has actually played pretty well in the columbus series. That said, I agree, he stinks. If you want to do Marleau for Backes....go right ahead. Point being unless the leafs would take Backes, they aren't a partner.
Some differences of note between Marleau and Backes:
Backes doesn't have no move protection, so the threat of sending him to the minors to free up a roster spot and save 900K is real, if it's between Providence bus rides and Arizona first class flights, I'm guessing Backes would take Arizona (very little real dollars left after July first). The distinction between NTC and NMC is very important there.
Backes does have the kind of injury concerns that could lead a player to LTIRetirement. He's basically had a concussion every year in Boston, some of them bad ones. He got his bell rung in game 4. If it's between Providence and LTIR, i'm guessing he chooses the latter. This isn't a guy that hasn't missed a game in 10 years.