Here are the fantasy repercussions following David Backes signing with the Boston Bruins. Backes signed a five-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million dollars.
At 32-years old and with 10 seasons under his belt, Backes is more of a veteran presence than offensive weapon. Last year was Backes' worst offensive season since 2007-08. He registered just 45 points in 79 games. Excluding the lockout year, Backes had scored at least 54 points in the four previous years.
With mileage catching up to Backes, his fantasy value should be at a new low for 2016-17. However, this could prove to be an interesting buy-low year for fantasy players willing to let the factors of age and a down-year slide.
Moving to Boston, Backes will slide either into Boston's first or second line as one of the replacements for the recently departed Loui Eriksson and Lee Stempniak.
While this move shouldn't precipitate a jump in ice-time considering Backes played about 19 minutes last season, it should allow him to play alongside either the premiere combination of Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand or productive centerman David Krejci.
How exactly the top-six in Boston shakes down is likely to be the defining factor for Backes. A spot alongside Marchand and Bergeron would give Backes a phenomenal opportunity to improve upon his mediocre 2015-16 season. Playing alongside Krejci should allow him to maintain a fantasy-relevant role but definitely limits his upside.
Whoever Backes ends up playing with, he should be considered a threat to score 25 goals. A spot on the top line would make a season of 25 goals and 35 assists attainable.
Considering Backes was a disappointment relative to last season's ADP of 70-80, his 2016-17 mark should experience a noticeable drop. A fair approximation would see Backes slide down close to the 100 mark. This drop is what fantasy owners should take advantage of.
If things go well in Boston and Backes ends up in a top-line role, 60 points is definitely on the radar screen. Fantasy players should be willing to reach for Backes in the seventh to ninth rounds or just slightly ahead of where their fellow drafters will start to think about him.