The Washington Capitals announced a five-year contract extension for Nicklas Backstrom early Tuesday morning and released a video of the actual signing of the contract an hour later.
The Capitals also created an announcement video. Alex Ovechkin participated in the filming and personally announced the signing.
Video
As he stares down at a podium, Ovechkin, as if he’s reading from a card, says “The Washington Capitals are happy to sign: Nicklas Backstrom.” Then he picks his head up and flashes his trademark gap-toothed smile.
The clip is playing off Ovechkin nervously announcing the Capitals’ selection of Backstrom at the 2006 NHL Draft in Vancouver (1st round, 4th overall).
“The Washington Capitals are happy to pick Nicklas Backstrom,” Ovechkin said 14 years ago, wearing the Capitals black Capitol dome jersey.
Those very words officially started Backstrom’s career in Washington.
During the exceptionally well-done montage video, Backstrom makes a cameo too. “I’m really excited to be here another five years,” Backstrom says. “Fans, you guys have been treating me and my family great. I want to say thanks to the organization as well. They believe in me and have been treating me great since I got here too. Let’s go win some more championships.”
The nod to Ovechkin’s podium moment in Vancouver is one of the most significant moments in franchise history.
Together as a unit, Ovechkin and Backstrom have authored what should be two strong Hockey Hall of Fame bids when they retire. The pair has won a Stanley Cup together in 2018. Meanwhile, Ovechkin had the most goals and Backstrom had the most assists during the last decade. The Capitals were also the winningest NHL team in the 2010s.
“Yeah, it was pretty funny,” Ovechkin said of drafting Backstrom in a recent podcast. “I was nervous and I knew right away we were going to draft Nicky, and George [McPhee] write me letter. It was fun, I was nervous. But that’s something I will never forget.”
“You don’t want to make mistake, because if you make mistake basically you screwed up. Or you make a different name like Marcus Backstrom,” Ovechkin joked.
“I knew I was gonna go around somewhere like that, but obviously I was a little bit surprised when Ovi was up there and then all of a sudden he called my name,” Backstrom said. “I’ve seen that video afterwards too, when you guys are talking at the table and stuff like that. So it was pretty cool to see it afterwards I think. But overall, I think we both were nervous about it but seemed like it was a good pick by you.”
The Washington Capitals are happy to sign @backstrom19.#ALLCAPS #NickysBack pic.twitter.com/kRKfRdIZwe
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 14, 2020
