5 worst contracts signed in Boston Bruins history feat. David Backes' $30 million deal

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Jul 21, 2024 01:30 GMT

The Boston Bruins have been one of the league’s most consistent teams for the better part of a decade. Since their 2011 Stanley Cup, the Bruins have remained contenders despite roster turnover. The club has made savvy choices in developing stars like David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, Tuukka Rask, and Brad Marchand, among others.

However, the Boston Bruins have also had their share of misses on the free-agent market. So, here’s a look at the five worst contracts signed in Boston Bruins history.

5 worst contracts signed in Boston Bruins history

#5: Alexei Zhamnov

Zhamnov had been one of the most productive Russian stars for more than a decade when the Boston Bruins signed him to a three-year, $12.3 million deal in 2005. It was a pricey deal at the time, making the $4 million AAV particularly high for an aging forward.

Zhamnov had been on the decline, posting a career-low 36 points in 2003-04 with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers. The B’s were hoping Zhamnov would bounce back in 2005. However, an ankle injury 24 games into his Boston tenure ended his season and career.

#4: Jimmy Hayes

Hayes had been a decent bottom-six forward for the Florida Panthers prior to the 2015-16 season. Hayes put up a career-high 35 points in 72 games with the Cats in 2014-15, prompting the Boston Bruins to trade for Hayes in exchange for Rielly Smith.

Then, the B’s signed Hayes to a three-year, $6.9 million guaranteed deal. While the deal itself wasn’t that bad, Hayes’ poor performance made the deal look terrible. Then, Smith’s success in Florida made the deal awful.

While Hayes registered 29 points in 75 games in 2015-16, his production plummeted to five points in 58 games for the B’s in 2016-17. He played 33 games the following season in New Jersey and was done after that season.

#3: Martin Lapointe

Lapointe was one of the heart-and-soul members of the Detroit Red Wings during the Cup runs in the late 90s. He was a talented, gritty winger who often played tough minutes against the league’s best opponents.

After a career-high 27 goals and 57 points in 2000-01, the Bruins brought Lapointe in on a four-year, $20 million contract. The $5 million AAV was astronomical for the time. However, Lapointe failed to deliver. In his first year, he scored 40 points in 68 games. That would be his best point total, as he managed a low 18 points in 59 games the following season.

The 2005 lockout erased the final year of the deal, leaving Lapointe free to sign with the Blackhawks.

#2: Matt Beleskey

Beleskey parlayed a successful 2014-15 playoff run with the Anaheim Ducks into his biggest contract. He signed a five-year, $19 million deal with the B’s that offseason.

While Beleskey produced a career-high 37 points in 80 games in his first year in Boston, he was done by the end of the following season. He played in 49 games, registering eight points in 2016-17. He managed 14 more games with the Bruins before ending his career with the New York Rangers.

#1: David Backes

Backes had enjoyed a long and successful tenure with the St. Louis Blues, spending several seasons as their captain when the B’s signed him to a five-year, $30 million deal in 2016. The Bruins hoped they would get leadership and scoring from the savvy veteran.

However, the contract did not age well. Backes immediately regressed, managing just 38 points in 74 games with the Bruins in 2016-17.

That would be his best season. He gradually played fewer and fewer games, managing 16 in 2019-20 due to a number of injuries. He played parts of two seasons with the Ducks, totaling 21 games, before being done for good.