Elliot In The Morning

Nicklas Backstrom has ‘no intention on going anywhere’, wants to ‘represent the Caps for my whole career’

Nicklas Backstrom is in the final season of a 10-year, $67 million contract he originally signed on May 17, 2010, and will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. But if both the Capitals and Backstrom had their way, he will have signed to a new deal before then.

GM Brian MacLellan said on November 26 that the Capitals “want [Backstrom] back. He’s a big part of our organization and we’re going to do whatever we can to get him back.” Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has predicted Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin will retire as Capitals. Meanwhile, Backstrom himself, who is negotiating a new contract without an agent, has stated several times that he would like to come back. “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.”

Thursday, in an interview on DC101’s Elliot In The Morning, Backstrom gave an update on his contract negotiations and stated in the strongest terms possible he wants to retire in Washington

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Nicklas Backstrom said he is willing to fight Joe Thornton. His strategy would be to ‘try to hide.’

When his career is over and done with, Nicklas Backstrom will be remembered as the greatest center in Washington Capitals history.

Last January, Backstrom, the Robin to Alex Ovechkin’s Batman, became the 139th player in NHL history to tally 500 assists. The Swedish center has also been routinely mentioned as a candidate for the Selke Trophy, given to the league’s best defensive forward. But there’s still one part of Backstrom’s game that he would like to show off: his fighting ability.

Wait… what?

Monday, in a fantastic interview with DC101’s Elliot Segal, a joking Backstrom teased that his first NHL fight is “coming soon” and suggested it could come against future Hall of Famer Joe Thornton.

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