Capitals Lock-Up Backstrom for 5 More Seasons

The Washington Capitals have signed stud forward Nicklas Backstrom to a five-year contract extension worth $46 million and a $9.2 AAV. The deal doesn’t kick in until next season starts.

Screenshot 2020-01-14 at 15.55.09.png — Via CapFriendly

So far this season, Backstrom has 35 points (9G 26A) in 29 games. The 32year-old has spent the last 13 seasons in Washington and says he’s open to staying there further than this 5-year contract. In those 13 years, he’s put up 908 points (240G 668A) in 934 games. As for the playoffs, he has 106 points (36G 70A) on 123 games. Backstrom has set a number of records with the Caps and won a Cup with that team.

Nicklas Backstrom is the only player in the NHL to record at least 20 goals and 50 assists in the last four consecutive seasons. Backstrom’s 0.69 assists per game mark since 2014-15 are tied for fourth in the NHL among players with at least 100 games played during that span.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 14, 2020

Nicklas Backstrom has assisted on a franchise-high 255 of Ovechkin’s 686 goals (37.2 percent). Only three players in NHL history have set up a teammate more: Wayne Gretzky (364; Jari Kurri), Bryan Trottier (310; Mike Bossy) and Henrik Sedin (280; Daniel Sedin).

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 14, 2020

It’s amazing for the team to bring Backstrom back, he’s a huge part of both the lockerroom and roster. He also represented himself in the negotiations and I don’t know why but I love the idea of him lawyering his way through this situation.

If I get arrested, call Nicky for me to bail me out, thanks.

This pay raise could mean the end to some players’ time in DC. Braden Holtby will be going up for free agency on July 1st and with Backstrom’s new contract, there is a big chance that he’ll be moving elsewhere. The Caps will also have 4 RFAs (Christian Djoos, Jonas Siegenthaler, Travis Boyd, Brendan Leipsic) and 1 other UFA (Radko Gudas).