The Washington Capitals announced today they have signed Nicklas Backstrom to a ten-year deal, $67 million contract extension. The extension will keep the Swedish-born center under contract until he is 32 years old.
In 2009, Backstrom, 22, had a career-high 101 points (33 goals, 68 assists) and a plus-37 rating in 82 regular-season games this season, his third in the NHL.
The Capitals now have the top-scoring teammates in the NHL this season, Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin (210 combined points), under contract for the next 10 and 11 seasons, respectively.
General Manager George McPhee also announced the team signed their 2009 first round draft pick, Marcus Johansson, to a three-year entry-level deal.
From the press release:
Johansson, 19, is a 5’11”, 189-pound native of Landskrona, Sweden, who recently finished his second season with Farjestads of the Swedish Elite League (SEL), the top professional league in Sweden.
He recorded 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 42 games this season in the SEL, finishing tied for fourth on the team in goals and sixth in points. Johansson also made his second appearance for Team Sweden in the World Junior Championship. He had six points (one goal, five assists) and a +7 rating in five games and, as Sweden’s captain, led the team to the bronze medal.
Coach Bruce Boudreau commented that the Caps now have “two of the top five players in the league” under contract for their peak seasons, and that todays' announcements will help the Caps achieve their goal of becoming Stanley Cup champions.
0 comments
Post a Comment