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Washington Capitals: Top 5 players to get excited for

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 06: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals looks on before a game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on April 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 06: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals looks on before a game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on April 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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#4 Nicklas Backstrom

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 18: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 18, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 18: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 18, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Nicklas Backstrom is a playmaking center who is always exciting to watch year after year and the 2019-20 season will be no different as the Swede enters the final year of his 10-year contract worth $67 million. It’s difficult to project what his next deal will be but if he continues to show the level of consistency he has for the last 12 seasons, Backstrom will continue to be fun to watch.

We don’t know whether he’ll be on the top line or the second line but no matter where he is, whether it be next to Alex Ovechkin or not, count on Backstrom ton continue to make highlight-reel passes and unleash a good snipe shot.

Even if Backstrom gets placed on the second line, I could see him gelling well with Jakub Vrana and T.J. Oshie, unless one of them gets moved up or down the lineup.

Backstrom has scored 20 or more goals the past four seasons and there’s no reason to think he would slow down even as he enters his age 32 season. He’s also notched 50 or more assists in his last six seasons.

It might be his last season in Washington unless the Capitals can extend his contract so enjoy the Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom bromance while it lasts.

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