For all that David Backes gives the Bruins in terms of physicality and a veteran locker room presence, it's still hard to ignore a contract that will pay the 34-year-old forward $6 million annually for the next three seasons.

With the Bruins in a "win-now" window and younger players like Charlie McAvoy and Jake DeBrusk due for some sizable pay raises in the next couple of seasons, finding a way to clear some of Backes' contract off the books might be a prudent move for the Black and Gold.

The issue is -- are there going to be any takers for Backes, who tallied 33 points over 57 games while dealing with a wide range of freak injuries last year. This past year, Backes was largely relegated to a bottom-six role after failing to mesh with either the Patrice Bergeron or the David Krejci line.

According to St. Louis Blues rinkside reporter Andy Strickland, the market is there for Backes, with the veteran center "generating more interest than some might think."

Backes currently has a no-movement clause for this season -- but Strickland added that Backes can submit a list of eight teams next year that he could accept a trade to.

Strickland is not the only reporter to raise speculation about a Backes deal, as TSN's Darren Dreger told Buffalo's WGR Sports Radio 550 last week that Boston "would like" to make a trade involving Backes.

Pulling off a deal for Backes seems like a tough assignment for Don Sweeney given the age of the player and the money involved, but finding a way to clear out some of that salary could pay major dividends to this Bruins club both for this offseason and for years to come.