Posts Tagged Nicklas Backstrom

Nicklas Backtrom Signs a 10 year Extension with the Capitals

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on May 17th, 2010

The Washington Capitals have locked up star center Nicklas Backstrom for the next 10 seasons. The 22-year olds 10 year deal is worth $67 million according to TSN. A $6.7 million salary cap number is a good number in my opinion.

Backstrom recorded his 1st 100 point season this past year, scoring 33 goals and adding 68 assists. He was also a +37. In 246 career games, Backstrom has scored 69 goals, and 189 assists.

Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom will have a combine salary cap number of $16.238 million. Mike Green also brings a $5.25 million cap number for the next couple years. Alexander Semin will make $6 million next year, and will probably not be with the club the following year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Capitals quietly shop him around.

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Extension for Backstrom today? Kicking tires on Miller? yeah right … Time to trade Malkin? Tim Tomas for Brian Campbell?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 17th, 2010

  • TSN: There is a good chance that Nicklas Backstrom will be signing a long term contract extension with Washington Capitals this morning. The Capitals are only saying, “significant player-related announcement” is coming on Monday.
  • George Malik of MLive: Rob Parker of WDIV’s Sports Final Edition did a terrible job trying to create a rumor involving the Red Wings, saying they will kick tires on acquiring Ryan Miller. Okay Rob. I don’t know what say about this other than; is Rob Parker, Eklund ‘the anonymous hockey blogger’?
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings GM, Ken Holland will begin working towards signing some of their free agents. Tomas Holmstrom is slam dunk to re-sign with the Red Wings, Todd Bertuzzi is a good possibiliy. They also have an interest in re-signing Andreas Lilja at a lower salary from the $1.25 million he made this past season. Don’t count on seeing Jason Williams, Brad May and Brett Lebda back in a Wings uniform next season.
  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Rossi thinks the Penguins should look at moving Geno Malkin, and it would have to include a top-line winger, top 2 defenseman, 2 roster players and either 2 prospects or 2 1st round picks. He thinks re-signing Gonchar to anything more than $4 million on a multi-year deal is a risk. Mark Eaton should be re-sign at around $2 million a season. Ben Lovejoy should be re-signed. Rossi also thinks the Penguins should go after Dan Hamhuis, offering a 4 year deal at a cap hit around $3.25 million. I think it would take more the $3.25 million to get Hamhuis
  • Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Dupont thinks the Bruins and Blackhawks could work on a Brian Campbell - Tim Thomas deal this off-season. Thomas has 3 years and $15 million left on his deal, Campbell has 6 years left with a cap hit of $7.14 million. Mark Recchi will most likely play another season for the Bruins.
  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Conroy wonders if the Bruins are able to trade Tim Thomas this off-season, is Rask ready to take the reins without a safety net? If they can deal Thomas, I’m sure they’ll bring in someone to help Rask along, he’s only 23-years old.
  • Adrian Date of the Denver Post: With 12 players locked up for about $28.2 million (cap number), the Colorado Avalanche have the cap room to add some significant pieces. Dater lists 3 possibilities: Ilya Kovalchuk, Dan Hamhuis, and Brian McGrattan.

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Agent denies 10 year extension for Backstrom … Flames to lose both Nystrom and White? What the Canucks face this off-season

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 13th, 2010

  • Tarik El-Bashir via Twitter: El-Bashir gets confirmation from Nicklas Backstrom’s agent that his client hasn’t signed a 10 year extension with the Washington Capitals. The rumor was started by someone posting it in a forum or blog.
  • Eric Francis of Canoe Sports: There is a chance that the Calgary Flames will not be able to afford Eric Nystrom, who’ll be looking for a raise from his $775,000 salary.  The New York Islanders are a possible destination, as his dad, Bob Nystrom, was a huge part of the organization in the 80’s. It also looks like the Flames will not be able to afford Ian White, who could receive an arbitration award of around $3.5 million. If he does go to arbitration, the Flames will have to accept it, and look to trade him. Would this be more mis-management by the Flames? I think so. I’m still scratching my head over the 4 year, $14 million extension 3rd line center, Flames #1 center Matt Stajan received. One other option I think  the Flames may also look at, is dealing Robyn Regehr for some much needed scoring help, preferably someone young and cheap. If they could save a few million on a Regehr deal, they could at least keep White.
  • Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: The Vancouver Canucks have 15 regulars signed for season with a cap hit of about $46 million, which includes 9 forwards, 5 Dmen and Roberto Luongo. That leaves about $10 million to fill out the rest of their roster. Willie Mitchell may be too expensive to bring back, and at 33 and his injury history, he might not be worth it. Also headed for free agency potentially are Pavol Demitra, Kyle Wellwood, Ryan Johnson, and Andrew Raycroft. RFA Mason Raymond will need to be re-signed. The Canucks need to add a top 6 defenseman and Gillis could make a pitch for Anton Volchenkov or a Dan Hamhuis, but both would be costly. Other defensive free agents that might interest the Canucks are Paul Martin, Dennis Seidenberg, Henrik Tallinder, Zbynek Michalek, Derek Morris, Carlo Colaiacovo, Joe Corvo, Shaone Morrisonn, Mark Eaton, Scott Niedermayer and Sergei Gonchar. Canucks RFAs this year are: Mason Raymond, Shane O’Brien, Aaron Rome, Tanner Glass, Jannik Hansen, and Cory Schneider. 2010 Unrestricted Free Agent list.
  • Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: With the Canucks having $10-11 million to spend on roughly 6 players, they could promote some within. If Cory Schneider is re-signed and not traded, he should be the backup. Cody Hodgson should be ready to make the jump, and fill a vacant center position. Jordan Schroeder and Sergei Shirokov are 2 others who could work their way into the lineup. They have plenty of wingers, which could be used as trade bait for a defenseman.
  • George Malik of MLive: Brad May might retire from hockey unless he can play in Toronto and be close to his family. It’s unlikely the Maple Leafs will want to sign him (as they didn’t re-sign him last off-season), but he could play or maybe even a player-coach (’player-coach’ was my own 2-cents, not Malik’s) for the AHL Toronto Marlies.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Nashville Predators may not be looking to bring in much from the free agent market, and could look to promote from within.

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Injury Updates … Is Tampa Right for Yzerman? Plenty of Free Agents in Washington

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL Rumors on May 2nd, 2010

  • Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: Andre Markov returned to Montreal after game 1. He sustained a knee injury that will keep him out indefinitely. He will not require surgery.
  • Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News: Patrick Marleau is expected back in the line for game 2 after missing game 1 with the flu. He returned to the ice yesterday, but was skating with Torrey Mitchell and Manny Malhotra. Logan Couture moved up with Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley.
  • Corey Masisak of CSN: The Washington Capitals have 11 players that are free agents this year. Nicklas Backstrom is looking to sign a long term extension with the club, and will probably be in the $7 million range. They also have 20 goal scorers, Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann, who are both RFAs and will require a nice raise. Jose Theodore is a UFA and though there is a chance he’ll be back at a reduced salary (his contract was 2 year, $9 million), I don’t see that happening. Of the 4 players acquired at the deadline (Eric Belanger, Joe Corvo, Scott Walker and Milan Jurcina), probably only Belanger would be re-signed. Young Dmen, John Carlson and Karl Alzner, are looking like they are ready to be full time NHL defenseman.
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Is Tampa Bay the right situtation for Steve Yzerman? “I’m very lucky and happy to have a position with the Red Wings,” Yzerman told ESPN.com. “I would love to run a team one day and realize I will have to leave here to do that. But the situation has to be right, for me and my family. Believe it or not, being a part of this organization and living in Detroit is something I cherish. “[But] if the right opportunity presents itself, I would definitely consider it.”

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Niedermayer staying with Ducks? Two Leafs wanting a trade, Red Wings injury situation, Lehtonen on the Block?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 28th, 2010

  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: If the Ducks continue to gain ground on the last playoff spot, the decision for Scott Niedermayer staying in Anaheim becomes easier, he won’t be going anywhere.
  • Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: A good article from Simmons about the situation Brian Burke finds himself in. Burke has been trying to make some changes, but has had no luck so far. Don’t expect much to happen (other than rumors) before March 3rd. According to Burke, “Unfortunately, (talking trade) is like being a farmer. You plant your crop and then you do nothing but wait.”
  • Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Both Garnet Exelby and Jamal Mayers have spoken with Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, and they wouldn’t mind being traded at the deadline. The fact that Mayers was looking to move on, was leaked yesterday. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to help the team. If that means moving on, then that’s the way it has to be,” said Mayers. “I haven’t had a chance to win yet, so I’d certainly like that opportunity but I can’t control that. I certainly like to think I come to the rink every day to play hard.”
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen is due to return from his AHL conditioning stint next week. That will give the Thrashers 3 goalies (Lehtonen, Johan Hedberg and Ondrej Pavelec), and most likely a new home for one of them. Lehtonen is the most likely to go, but his back issues may scare some teams off.
  • TheFourthPeriod: The Capitals and Nicklas Backstrom are taking their time with regards to a contract extension. The Caps are reportedly in the market for a 2nd line center, and a top four physical defenseman. The Blues might be a team they are talking with.
  • Kevin Allen of the USA Today: If the trade deadline was tomorrow, Capitals GM George McPhee wouldn’t do anything. I’m not sure if this was said before Jose Theodore left Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury. If healthy, Varlamov is their playoff goalie, but he’s been out for awhile, and his return is not known at the moment. I think they should consider another goalie option, as health could become a problem down the stretch and in the playoffs.
  • AP in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Unable to find a trade partner for Petr Sykora, the Minnesota Wild have sent him to their AHL affiliate, where he’s not expected to show up.
  • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: With Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, and Jason Williams returning to the Red Wings lineup soon, management may be forced to make some roster/salary adjustments. When Holmstrom and Williams return (and if there are no other injuries - below post might help a little) they will be over the roster limit of 23. Justin Abdelkader doesn’t need to clear waivers, so he will most likely be sent to the AHL. When Franzen returns, the Wings will have to shed $1.5 million in salary, as they’ll be over the cap limit.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: With all the good news on the Detroit injury front, you knew something had to give. Brad Stuart left last night’s game in the first period with a sprained left shoulder.

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Around the Boards: Players being shopped, coveted … Savard’s contact under investigation … Contract talks for some

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on December 6th, 2009

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
    • In their search for scoring, the New York Rangers have set their sites on an injured player, Pavol Demitra, once he gets healthy. Demitra is still recovering from his second shoulder surgery, and could return after Christmas. Demitra is a UFA at the end of the season and brings a $4 million cap for this season.
    • The League will be investigating Marc Savard’s 7 year extension, which isn’t much of a surprise after looking at his yearly salaries: $7 million, $7 million, $6 million, $5 million, $1.5 million, $525,000, $525,000.
    • The Oilers have Sheldon Souray’s name out there, and he was offered to an Eastern Conference team in a 4-player deal.
    • The Florida Panthers have been contact teams in an attempt to make a deal to improve their club, they need to make the playoffs this year.
    • The Nashville Predators will look to locking up goaltender Pekka Rinne, but might have trade defenceman Dan Hamhuis at the deadline as the Predators might not be able to afford him.
    • Aaron Ward of the Hurricanes has drawn interest from the Sharks, Senators and Blue Jackets. Teams are also calling about Ray Whitney, but Rutherford will give Whitney the choice as to where he’d like to go (if that team is interested).
    • Vancouver Canucks defenceman, Shane O’Brien, is also being shopped around the league.
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
    • Pittsburgh has done well in locking up many of their core players, but they could have some trouble this off-season with UFA Sergei Gonchar and RFA Kris Letang. The Pens think they might be able to bring both back, but it would have to be at a really friendly price, which might not happen for Gonchar. KHL teams might throw a large amount of money for the 35 year old.
    • Contract talks between potential RFA Nicklas Backstrom and the Washington Capitals have gone well, and could be close to finalizing it. Talks with Alexander Semin have gone well, with the sides not talking since the start of the season. Semin is another player that will be in KHL rumors.
    • Vincent Lecavalier’s future in Tampa could be up in the air. He has a yearly cap hit of $7.7 million (receiving $10 million season for the next 7 years), which will be extremely hard to move. 3 teams that LeBrun mentions that might have an interest are the Rangers, Kings and Canadiens.
    • The Flyers and goalie Ray Emery can talk contract extension after January 1st, and there’s a chance that might happen.

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NHL Rumors for October 14th

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Rumors on October 14th, 2009

  • Fabian Brunnstrom may be a trading chip for the Dallas Stars as they are looking to add a puck-moving defenceman to quarterback their powerplay. James Neal and Loui Eriksson don’t appear to be going anywhere.
  • At yesterday’s Washington Capitals practice, Alex Ovechkin had some new linemates, Brendan Morrison and Mike Knuble. The 2nd line featured Backstrom, Semin and Laich. I’m sure the big 3 would play together on the powerplay. Mike Knuble and Brooks Laich fantasy owners might be happy with these line combos.
  • Is Cristobal Huet on shaky ground in Chicago? If he doesn’t start playing better, the ‘Hawks may have to look at their options with him. They attempted to trade him last year, but were obviously not successful.
  • The St. Louis Blues might be looking to add some veteran leadership for their young club.

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TSN Releases Projected Scoring Leaders

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on September 26th, 2009

Scott Cullen of TSN has put out a Top 250 projected scoring for the upcoming season. We’ve posted below the Top 40.  He has only Alex Ovechkin as the only 50 goal scorer, and only 3 players (Ovechkin, Malkin, and Crosby) scoring over a 100 points. Only 13 players are projected to point a game or better.


RANK PLAYER TEAM POS G A PTS +/- PPP PIM
1 Alexander Ovechkin WAS LW 55 54 109 5 43 54
2 Evgeni Malkin PIT C 41 67 108 12 40 76
3 Sidney Crosby PIT C 33 68 101 10 43 71
4 Pavel Datsyuk DET C 30 65 95 27 36 20
5 Nicklas Backstrom WAS C 23 71 94 14 39 44
6 Joe Thornton SJ C 25 65 90 19 39 53
7 Ryan Getzlaf ANA C 28 60 88 17 40 99
8 Dany Heatley SJ LW 47 41 88 10 31 82
9 Ilya Kovalchuk ATL LW 47 41 88 -8 38 58
10 Marc Savard BOS C 22 66 88 7 34 72
11 Jarome Iginla CAL RW 40 46 86 7 32 62
12 Jason Spezza OTT C 33 50 83 7 32 63
13 Rick Nash CBJ RW 42 40 82 7 23 79
14 Zach Parise NJ LW 36 44 80 13 25 26
15 Henrik Zetterberg DET C 36 44 80 18 30 34
16 Henrik Sedin VAN C 19 61 80 15 31 56
17 Martin St. Louis TB RW 32 48 80 -4 27 24
18 Daniel Sedin VAN LW 30 49 79 14 30 40
19 Mike Richards PHI C 29 48 77 16 32 69
20 Daniel Alfredsson OTT RW 28 48 76 10 29 30
21 Jeff Carter PHI C 40 36 76 12 22 70
22 Eric Staal CAR C 37 38 75 6 26 54
23 Jonathan Toews CHI C 36 39 75 14 26 57
24 Derek Roy BUF C 30 44 74 2 26 42
25 Vincent Lecavalier TB C 32 41 73 -11 25 64
26 Anze Kopitar LA C 29 44 73 -11 26 30
27 Bobby Ryan ANA LW 34 39 73 15 28 46
28 Mike Ribeiro DAL C 22 51 73 3 26 44
29 Patrick Kane CHI RW 23 48 71 -3 32 47
30 Corey Perry ANA RW 33 38 71 12 25 106
31 Olli Jokinen CAL C 32 39 71 -1 29 74
32 Shane Doan PHO LW 27 43 70 1 24 65
33 Simon Gagne PHI LW 33 36 69 20 23 36
34 Patrik Elias NJ LW 25 43 68 9 27 34
35 Martin Havlat MIN RW 28 40 68 12 17 34
36 Jean-Pierre Dumont NAS RW 22 46 68 3 19 26
37 Alex Tanguay TB LW 22 46 68 7 21 42
38 Thomas Vanek BUF LW 39 28 67 3 25 52
39 Alexander Frolov LA LW 30 37 67 -4 24 28
40 Mike Cammalleri MON RW 30 37 67 -4 28 48

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