Blues GM: I want Backes to play entire career in St. Louis

If St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong had it his way, David Backes would play out the rest of his playing career - and beyond - with the organization.

Armstrong admits he would like to ink the pending unrestricted free agent to a contract and envisions a management position for Backes once his career concludes.

"I'd love to see David sign a contract here, play the remainder of his contract here as our captain, have success, get his jersey retired one day, and jump in the front office," Armstrong said, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Dispatch. "That's the vision that you'd love to have because he's a smart man.

"He's going to be great at management down the road if he so chooses. I'd love to see him play here his whole career."

The 32-year-old is coming off his sixth season as the club's captain having hit the 20-goal mark for the third straight year. Backes also just completed the final year of a five-year contract that paid him an average of $4.5 million.