Why do people think St. Louis is going to want Krecji? If they lose Backes, which would create a hole at center, it means that they didn't want to pay Backes $24 mill for 4 years. So what makes people think that they would want to pay Krecji at $36.25 mill for 5 years, AND give up Shattenkirk to do so?

Yeah, I don't see St. Louis being interested in Krejci. They're pretty locked into Stastny and Lehtera with their cap hit. It's basically the same situation the Bruins if the Bruins were to sign Stamkos. 3 centers paid to big money isn't good. I think you can land a good defenseman for Krejci. Winnipeg would actually be a solid spot for him. They have cap space, they could use a center (a 1-2 punch of Krejci-Scheiffele would be solid) and he had chemistry with Blake Wheeler when he was here in Boston. Maybe Minnesota is another team who could be a fit. Both teams have a plethora of defenseman as well.

I think Winnipeg would be a team that Krejci invokes his no movement clause and prevents a deal from happening. Minnesota may be more realistic.