2016 Flyers Free-agent Fit: Blues C David Backes

Each day until July 1, the day free agency begins, CSNPhilly.com producers Tom Dougherty, Jordan Hall and Greg Paone will profile some of the NHL's top impending free agents and project their likelihood of signing with the Flyers.

David Backes, center

Age: 32
Height: 6-3
Weight: 221
Last team: St. Louis Blues
2015-16 cap hit: $4.5 million

Scouting report
David Backes is a veteran of 10 NHL seasons.

He’s coming off a productive 2015-16 campaign in which he registered 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points. However, the points were his lowest in a full season since 2007-08.

But the 2003 second-round draft pick makes his money by being a shutdown forward, one that’s strong on the puck and makes great use of his size and smarts.

Backes has the clutch gene, as well. He potted three gamer-winners last postseason and finished with seven goals and seven assists in 20 playoff contests, helping lead St. Louis to the Western Conference finals.

The captain is the heart and soul of the Blues, a true locker-room guy.

Projection
It’s hard to imagine Backes leaving St. Louis.

He’s beloved by the entire franchise and fan base.

“I think David's got a lot of good years left in him, I'd love to keep him here, but it has to work out for David and his family first and foremost and then it has to work into our math equation,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said on May 31, via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “But he's a priority." 

As for the Flyers, Backes doesn’t make much sense on multiple fronts.

He’s more suited for a win-now team in need of experience to get over the hump. The Flyers are not yet looking to add players of his age and terms. Backes may be forced to take a slight pay cut, but is still not in the Flyers’ current price range.

Heck, not many marquee names on the free-agent market are this offseason.

On top of it, the Flyers need fresher legs and greater speed.

All told, Backes isn’t right for the Flyers.