Boston Bruins winger David Backes will not play in the AHL after clearing waivers on Jan. 18, the team announced on Thursday.
Backes was placed on waivers by the Bruins on Jan. 17 and went unclaimed, making him eligible to be assigned to the Bruins’ AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins.
“After speaking with David, we have agreed that it is in the best interest of David and the Bruins for him not to play in Providence at this time,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in a statement released by the team. “David is fit and able to play, but in order to preserve all potential options for both David and the Bruins moving forward, we have decided this is the best course of action.”
The team has given no definitive indication as to what they plan to do with the 14-year veteran, who has one year remaining on a five-year deal signed in 2016 with a salary cap hit of $6-million.
Backes, 35, has appeared in 16 games this season with the Bruins, only scoring one goal and recording a pair of assists. He missed the month of November with a concussion and failed to regain a regular spot in the Bruins’ line-up once he was healthy.
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