did u guys here about sweeney getting a lot of offers for krug. Apparently VAN and DET offered a substantial amount

I think trading all 6 million of the Backes cap hit is now a pipe dream. Sweeney isn't giving up a first +. He should, but he won't. I see two options to get some relief.
Option 1: eat 2 million, trade him after the signing bonus is paid. They team would pay like 3.75 million or something over the two years, and honestly, Backes leadership can be valuable to a young team.
Option 2: Tell him he's going to providence, and hope he decides he would rather LTIRetire rather than ride the bus.

I was kinda hoping that they made up a fantom injury (too many cuncussions) and they can LTIR him but there still will be cap penalties. I was reading about Columbus staying out of the fa market if it gets crazy and their fa reject their offers. Their GM will sit there with all his cap space and start picking off players other teams have to move, like when he got Panarin. Thinking we can dump Backes there somehow

I don't think the concussion issues with him are phantom in the slightest. I heard he debated retiring after last off season. There would not be cap penalties of any kind if he goes on LTIR. Granted, LTIR room isn't as valuable as real cap room, but there wouldn't be penalties.