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Washington Capitals: Nicklas Backstrom gets patience rewarded

By Ron Juckett

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 21: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his second period goal with teammate Nicklas Backstrom #19 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 21: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his second period goal with teammate Nicklas Backstrom #19 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Niklas Backstrom waited 12 years for his magic moment with the Washington Capitals. Finally, his hard work earns the sport’s highest reward.

The Washington Capitals appreciate Nicklas Backstrom.

About to enter his 12th season with the Caps, the fourth-overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft has paid back Washington their investment in spades. Backstrom turns 31 in November and has donned the uniform in 815 regular-season games. Not shabby.

He is a passing machine. Backstrom’s 0.72 assists-per-game is second among active players. Only Sidney Crosby dishes out a higher average. All-time Backstrom ranks 18th, wedged between Ray Bourque and Denis Savard. That is higher than playmakers Bryan Trottier, Steve Yzerman and Denis Potvin.

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Seven times, Backstrom finished in the NHL top 10 in assists. With 590, he starts the season tied for 91st with Doug Wilson and Dave Keon. Another two seasons with 50 dishes or more will put him barely outside the top 50, passing Hall of Fame players such as Henri Richard and Bobby Orr.

Again, you are talking hockey royalty there.

Backstrom does more than feed pucks. His defensive ability makes him a candidate for the Frank Selke. Five times, he finished in the top 20 and twice in the top ten. He finished tenth in 2010 and seventh in 2017. A gentleman on the ice, he garnered votes for the Lady Bing seven times.

Yet, he has never won a major award. Alex Ovechkin grabs most of the headlines on offense. The attention this offseason focuses on John Carlson, Tom Wilson and what gets drank or eaten out of the Stanley Cup.

Not sure Backstrom cares. He earned the “A” on his sweater, a badge of honor from his teammates. And, he is set to make $6.7 million this year and next. The front office appreciates him too. Hard to see him hitting the market as an unrestricted free agent.

All these pats on the back without mentioning his 18 assists and 23 points over 20 playoff games en route to Backstrom getting his named engraved on the Cup. Over 116 Caps playoff games, he has 31 goals and 67 assists.

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The Washington Capitals rely on Nicklas Backstrom on the power play, to win faceoffs and create offense. He gives them almost 20 minutes a night in return and will throw a check or block a shot when needed. The ultimate team player who has a future in Toronto and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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