Washington Capitals: 2019 predictions for Nicklas Backstrom

We’ve probably bored you to this point with Braden Holtby content so let’s take a deep dive into a different Washington Capitals player entering their contract year: Nicklas Backstrom.

Nicklas Backstrom was signed to a team-friendly deal just 10 years ago with a fair average annual value but still a decent deal. A 10-year, $67 million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $6.7 million per season. Now the established Washington Capitals center enters the final year of that contract and he’ll look for a raise.

How Backstrom could get a raise, from the Capitals or elsewhere, will be dictated from the way he plays and it’s a safe bet we’re going to get the same consistent superstar Nicklas Backstrom is night in and night out.

The way Backstrom carries himself on the ice as a table setter and a play maker should have him win multiple Hart Trophies as the NHL’s MVP, that is, if he wasn’t teammates with Alex Ovechkin. But the duo has proven to be the best dynamic duo in hockey.

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Last season, Backstrom finished with 22 goals and 52 assists for 74 points in 80 regular season games, an improvement from the previous year. Backstrom has had four consecutive 20-goal seasons as well as six consecutive seasons recording 50 or more assists.

In the playoffs it was Nicklas Backstrom not Alex Ovechkin leading the Capitals in goals.

If Washington wasn’t bounced in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes perhaps every Caps fans two favorite players could’ve duked it out for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Ovechkin even joked after one game that he’s Backstrom and that Nicklas is a scoring machine. Backstrom had five goals in the seven game series and added three assists for eight points.

Backstrom will turn 32 this November and he’s still in the midst of his prime though sort of toward the backend of it. I predict Backstrom will have another 20-goal season. 25 goals and 60 assists for 85 points is doable. It’ll make things complicated for General Manager Brian MacLellan when it comes down to whether to re-sign Nicklas Backstrom or Braden Holtby.

As for his value, it’s a safe bet he could make up to eight or nine million as an average annual value based on what other veteran players of his similar skillset received.

Backstrom played in Wednesday’s Capitals preseason victory over the St. Louis Blues and had the game-winning goal from way downtown with seven seconds left.

We’re looking forward to seeing more thrills from Backstrom throughout the season.