Home / News / Nicklas Backstrom returns to DC on 8/19, says he ‘would like to stay’ in Washington after 10-year contract expires

Nicklas Backstrom returns to DC on 8/19, says he ‘would like to stay’ in Washington after 10-year contract expires

By Ian Oland

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August 19, 2019 10:04 pm

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom arrived back in town on Monday after an electrifying appearance in Byrnas’s Black and White scrimmage late last week.

According to Tarik El-Bashir’s reporting for The Atletic, Backstrom is the latest star to participate in the Capitals’ informal skates, which already included Evgeny Kuznetsov, TJ Oshie, and John Carlson.

Speaking to El-Bashir after practice, Backstrom repeated his desire to re-sign with the Washington Capitals. His ten-year, $67 million deal that he signed originally in May 2010 is set to expire next summer on July 1.

“I love it here. I love the fans. I love everything about being in this city,” Backstrom said. “I would like to stay, yeah. So hopefully we’ll come up with a solution.”

He also said that he wants to be the rare athlete that stays in one city for his entire career.

“If that’s going to happen, I’m really fortunate,” he said. “It doesn’t happen that much, especially with the salary cap. It’s a possibility. And if that’s the case, I’ll take it.

These comments echo the ones Backstrom made on Breakdown Day in late April.

“Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it,” Backstrom said then of his contract. “I played here my whole career. I would like to stay here. I love it here so if they want me, it’s a two-sided story.

“It’s all I know,” Backstrom said smiling. “It’s crazy, but at the same time, it’s a great feeling. I couldn’t ask for anything better from the fans or the city of Washington.”

Backstrom, who has almost no presence on social media, had much of his summer workouts profiled by his personal trainer Andreas Öhgren.

Backstrom will turn 32 in November. Alex Ovechkin, his longtime teammate, will be an unrestricted free agent the summer of 2021.

Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong