Quoting: Rooney
2 things. Number 1, I feel like you would have to add A LOT to get rid of Backes. Possibly a situation similar to Marleau, but since there is more term it could be even bigger. Number 2, I wouldn't trade Carlo for Brodie. Carlo looks to be a core piece of Boston's blue line for years to come. IF they were to trade for Brodie, the picks should be on the other side imo.
Backes is completely different than Marleau. I don't understand why people can't understand this.
Marleau has said he would not play for anyone but SJ or Tor. So that is huge. It was a cash transaction. CBJ bought a draft pick.
The real money is more for Marleau. Keeping/playing Backes this year & buying out next would be substantially cheaper & less of a cap hit -
4m in 2020-21 &
1m in 2021-22. 3m in real money. That is not worth a 1st rd pick. It's not.
Toronto had their hands tied. They had multiple people they needed to sign and have money available in case of offer sheets.
Yes, it would cost more move Backes this year, but they don't need to at all. If you think they need money this year... More than enough money can be found by moving; Moore, Miller, Halak and maybe 1 or 2 of their 4th line 1m guys. They have a bunch (Lindholm, Nordstrom, Wagner, Ritchie).