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Backstrom inks 10 year Caps deal
Source: Agencies |
May 19, 2010, Wednesday
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NICKLAS Backstrom signed a 10-year, US$67 million deal with the Washington Capitals on Monday, a major investment in a player who has rapidly developed into one of the best centers in the NHL.
The 22-year-old Swede and two-time league MVP Alex Ovechkin have developed a partnership that accounted for 210 points this season, making them the top scoring teammate duo in the league.
"We now have two of maybe the top five players in the world playing on our team for many years to come," coach Bruce Boudreau said.
Ovechkin is about to enter the third year of a US$124 million, 13-year deal. Knowing that Ovechkin isn't going anywhere played a part in Backstrom's desire to commit to Washington for the long haul.
"I was thinking that I wanted to play with him," Backstrom said. "Hopefully he'll want to play with me, too. I wanted 10 years; I wanted long term. I think it's good that we're together."
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2006 draft, Backstrom set career-highs with 33 goals and 68 assists this season, and his 101 points ranked fourth in the league. He has yet to miss a game over three NHL seasons.
Backstrom's contract pays him US$6 million for the next four seasons, with the amount gradually increasing to US$8 million by decade's end. He had been scheduled to become a restricted free agent in July. General manager George McPhee expressed no qualms about having so much time and money tied up in just two players.
"The risks are that the player doesn't meet expectation with the contract, but I never for one minute with Alex Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom think that they won't compete all the way through," McPhee said. "It sends the right message to our fans and to this franchise that we have outstanding young players who are ready to commit for the rest of their career. You win championship with these kinds of players."
The 22-year-old Swede and two-time league MVP Alex Ovechkin have developed a partnership that accounted for 210 points this season, making them the top scoring teammate duo in the league.
"We now have two of maybe the top five players in the world playing on our team for many years to come," coach Bruce Boudreau said.
Ovechkin is about to enter the third year of a US$124 million, 13-year deal. Knowing that Ovechkin isn't going anywhere played a part in Backstrom's desire to commit to Washington for the long haul.
"I was thinking that I wanted to play with him," Backstrom said. "Hopefully he'll want to play with me, too. I wanted 10 years; I wanted long term. I think it's good that we're together."
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2006 draft, Backstrom set career-highs with 33 goals and 68 assists this season, and his 101 points ranked fourth in the league. He has yet to miss a game over three NHL seasons.
Backstrom's contract pays him US$6 million for the next four seasons, with the amount gradually increasing to US$8 million by decade's end. He had been scheduled to become a restricted free agent in July. General manager George McPhee expressed no qualms about having so much time and money tied up in just two players.
"The risks are that the player doesn't meet expectation with the contract, but I never for one minute with Alex Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom think that they won't compete all the way through," McPhee said. "It sends the right message to our fans and to this franchise that we have outstanding young players who are ready to commit for the rest of their career. You win championship with these kinds of players."
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