A lot of players changed addresses Friday as the NHL's free agent signing period opened. Of all the players that moved, though, the one who could be the hardest to get used to seeing in another jersey is David Backes, who signed with the Boston Bruins after 10 years with the St. Louis Blues.

Backes had become synonymous with Blues hockey as the team's captain and even though he wasn't always the best player on the roster, he was the face of the franchise for some of the best years the franchise has seen. The Blues have been among the best regular-season teams in the NHL over the last five seasons. Perhaps not coincidentally, it was right around the same time Backes was given the "C" that things started turning around.

However, the two sides could not come to an agreement to stay together. Blues GM Doug Armstrong said they couldn't agree on term as Backes was hoping for something longer than the Blues were willing to give.

"It's disappointing, but that's pro sports," Armstrong said in a video the Blues put out following Backes' departure. "David had earned the right to be an unrestricted free agent. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the right term that was acceptable to him and to the team, but it doesn't diminish anything he's done here over his career."

According to Backes, term wasn't the only hang up.

In the end, the Bruins came in with a five-year, $30 million offer. With a $6 million cap hit, it would have been really difficult for the Blues to justify keeping the captain even though he's one of the central figures of the team. It doesn't make it any easier for them to lose him and it didn't make it any easier on Backes to leave.

So the former captain penned a farewell letter to the Blues fans he'll be leaving behind. He not only was part of the team, but he really became part of the community and says he now considers St. Louis his home. He also expressed some regret, knowing that his hope to be the first captain to hoist the Stanley Cup for the Blues in the franchise's history will go unrealized.


Backes talked more in depth about the letter and you can still see how emotional Friday was for him, even if he's going to be getting a bigger payday in his new stop. It seems as though Backes was a bit hurt that he and the Blues weren't able to reach an agreement.

The Blues also issued their own thank you to Backes for his years of service and the many good memories he helped create, perhaps none better than this spring's playoff run to the Western Conference Final.

The farewell tour continued at the St. Louis Cardinals game where Backes apparently received a standing ovation from the fans in attendance when he was shown on their gigantic video board in the outfield.

Among all the moves made Friday, this one may have been the most emotional for both parties. The hockey business can be awfully tough, especially in a league with a tight salary cap. Doug Armstrong did what he felt he had to do and so did Backes.

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David Backes is saying goodbye to the Blues after 10 years. USATSI