The St Louis Blues have matched Vacouvers offer sheet so I guess T.J. Oshie will get a chance to play with former Minnesota State University Mankato Maverick David Backes after all. However, it is a sad shame that Keith Ballard was traded away from the Yotes and is now playing in the east with the Florida Panthers so we won't get to see as many dances between Backes and Ballard.
VANCOUVER - The St. Louis Blues retained forward David Backes on Tuesday by quickly matching the US$7.5-million, three-year offer sheet the young forward signed with the Vancouver Canucks.
The Canucks tried to pluck the 24-year-old winger away from the Blues just hours after he became a restricted free agent. The Blues had seven days to match the offer or let him go for a compensatory second-round pick, but wasted little time in deciding to keep Backes.
"(Chairman and Principle Owner) Dave Checketts was very supportive of this decision to sign David," Blues president John Davidson said in a statement. "David is a major part of our youth movement in St. Louis and we expect him to play a huge role as we move forward."
Backes spent parts of the past two seasons with the Blues, who selected him in the second round of the 2003 draft. He set career highs with 13 goals and 31 points in 72games last season, while also leading the team with 240 hits. His new contract includes a $1-million signing bonus along with $1.5 million in salary this coming season. He'll earn $2.5 million each of the following two years.
Offer sheets took centre stage last summer after Edmonton lured Dustin Penner away from Anaheim and touched off an exchange of heated words between Ducks general manager Brian Burke and Oilers counterpart Kevin Lowe.
Edmonton also signed Thomas Vanek to an offer sheet last year that Buffalo matched.
The Canucks agreed to terms Tuesday with forward Darcy Hordichuk on a two-year contract. The physical 27-year-old winger had one goal, three points and 60 penalty minutes in 45 games with the Nashville Predators last season
You didn't really think the Blues were going to let Backes get away did you?!? I knew they would match it. He's the future of the Blues...he's the face of the Blues more and more. They love him and you can't blame them:)
ReplyDeleteOh, and lucky for Oshie that he's staying. Maybe Backes can teach him how to behave like a real man and stop getting arrested! Backes is a good role model for Oshie. That kid is so squeeky clean that he almost doesn't seem real!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Oshie can teach him how to play hockey well, then.
ReplyDeleteJust kidding, I just had to say it.