Washington Capitals need to extend Nicklas Backstrom as soon as possible

With Nicklas Backstrom entering the final year of his contract, the Washington Capitals would be smart to extend him now and get rid of the possible distraction hanging over their heads.

It’s an important season coming up for the Washington Capitals. Not only are they still in full on “win now” mode like they’ve been for over a decade, but now they face a potential scare with the idea that they could lose one of their franchise faces in Nicklas Backstrom at conclusion of the 2019-20 NHL season. But why take that worry into the upcoming season?

Backstrom was drafted by the Capitals with the fourth overall pick in 2006, and he has been the perfect co-host to the Alex Ovechkin show for his entire career. For 12 full seasons, Backstrom has done nothing but be one of the top playmakers in the NHL, as well as one of the most underrated two-way forwards in the game.

Backstrom has also been the model of consistency throughout his career in Washington with 50 assists and 70 points in six straight seasons, and once again trailed only Ovechkin in points with 74 points in 80 games. Backstrom has never finished a season with less than 65 points in his career, and has had four consecutive 20+ goal seasons.

In 2010, Backstrom signed a 10-year extension with the Capitals worth $6.7 million a season, but now that contract is winding down as it enters the 10th and final season. After years of security with the team, he could enter the season with some uncertainty about his future.

Despite the potential uncertainty, Backstrom knows exactly how he wants this scenario to turn out, and he wants nothing more than to stay a member of the Capitals for the rest of his career, according to Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic:

Backstrom also told The Athletic (subscription required) that he isn’t sure when discussions may begin for an extension. Fortunately, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reported that the Capitals are of the mind to at least attempt to get an extension done with either Backstrom or fellow upcoming unrestricted free agent Braden Holtby when general manager Brian MacLellan returns to Washington D.C. after Labor Day weekend.

"“I’ve checked in with both. It might happen the beginning of September, depending on the timing of me getting back. But it will happen right away. We’ve got to talk and give both players what we’re thinking, get their feelings on the situation and play it out from there.”"

If talks go well during training camp, MacLellan won’t rule out having one of them signed to an extension before opening night on Oct. 2.

"“It will depend on the conversations we have, on how they want to proceed and what they think is best for everybody,” MacLellan said."

The Holtby situation is an entirely different animal, and will depend entirely on what Holtby and his camp will seek in terms of a new contract.

However when it comes to a potential Backstrom extension, things should be much simpler. The Capitals still want him here, and he wants to stay. His production hasn’t taken even the slightest dip with age over the years, and surely there is still plenty left in the tank to help keep the Capitals’ window open.

The last thing the Capitals need heading into this season is a distraction like that hanging over their heads for the whole year, especially in a crucial year of the Stanley Cup window like this. Backstrom belongs in D.C. just as much as Ovechkin, and letting this run into this season would be a waste of energy to deal with. The Holtby situation will be issue enough if it goes unresolved.

The smart thing to do is get the extension done before the season, set the fans at ease and get on with business. Losing Backstrom is not a risk they can toy with, no matter how much he wants to stay.