Caps ink talented center to $67 million extension
Nicklas Backstrom wanted both long-term financial security and to remain in Washington.
The Capitals’ star center got both Monday when he officially signed a new 10-year contract worth $67 million. The deal keeps the 22-year-old Swede in the District through the 2019-20 season and means the franchise’s top two players — the other, of course, is two-time NHL most valuable player Alex Ovechkin — are under team control for the rest of the decade.
Backstrom just finished his third season with Washington, placing fourth in the NHL in points with a career-high 101. Only Hart Trophy finalists Henrik Sedin (112) of Vancouver, Ovechkin (109) and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby (109) had more.
“I think we’re a great team,” Backstrom said. “We struggled a little bit in the playoffs, but I think we’re capable of winning the [Stanley] Cup and that’s why we’re here. I think we have a good mix on our team and I would like to stay here to see it happen.”
The new contract escalates from $6 million the first year to $8 million by the end. That makes Backstrom’s annual salary cap hit is $6.7 million — a number low enough to give the team financial flexibility in the near future. The NHL’s overall salary cap is $56.7 million.
Backstrom became just the fourth Caps player to top 100 points in a single season. He was the fourth overall selection in the 2006 NHL Draft. In his first three seasons, Backstrom has topped 55 assists every year. The only other two players to accomplish that in league history are Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny.
“You’re always hopeful that a player is going to turn out something like this,” said Caps general manager George McPhee. “We thought [Backstrom] was going to be a really good player. Did we expect him to be this good this quickly? I don’t think so. I don’t think anybody did.”
Ovechkin’s contract, a 13-year $124 million deal signed in December of 2007, lasts through the 2020-21 season.
“I was thinking that I want to play with him,” Backstrom said. “Hopefully, he wants to play with me too. I wanted 10 years. I wanted the long term and finally got it. I think it is good that we’re together.”
