Bruins waive David Backes

The Bruins announced this afternoon that forward David Backes has been placed on waivers.

Should he clear, Backes will be assigned to the Providence Bruins.

Backes has played in just 16 games for the Bruins this season, recording 3 points in the process.

He hasn't been able to live up to the big contract the Bruins gave him a few years back, and has also been sidelined by some unfortunate injuries.

It's entirely possible that the Bruins are waiving him to get him ice time during the upcoming break, but it seems unlikely.

Instead, this seems like it's clearing a roster spot, whether it's for a recall from Providence or a trade that's in the works.

If this is the end of Backes' time in the NHL, it's a sad way to see him go out. He had his moments for the Bruins, but ultimately wasn't one of Don Sweeney's better signings.

Backes still has a year left after this one at a $6 million cap hit.

It remains to be seen whether or not he'll report to the AHL, though I'd assume he would. Under the CBA, Backes will still be paid his full NHL salary, and the Bruins will still carry his cap hit.

The team may receive some cap relief from not having him on the daily roster, but it won't be much.

Per Chris, our CBA Expert, the maximum salary you can bury is the league minimum plus $375,000, so somewhere in the general area of $1 million.

In his Bruins career, Backes had 94 points in 217 regular season games. He chipped in 12 points in 33 playoff games as well.