Nicklas Backstrom signed a ten-year contract today, worth 67 million dollars, ensuring he will play a lengthy amount of time with the team that drafted him. The Washington Capitals centerman increased his point totals each of his three seasons in the NHL, breaking the 100 point barrier this season with 101.
Observe:
His salary will rank second on the team, ahead of Alexander Semin (6 million) and Mike Green (5.087 cap hit) and behind only Alexander Ovechkin whose production certainly warrants league maximum, or close to it.
A cap hit of 6.7 million could actually be a steal when considering the production of many better paid centers. Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Vincent Lecavalier and even Brad Richards and Eric Staal failed to break the 100 point margin with much higher salaries. Only three players total scored more than Backstrom– Henrik Sedin, Sidney Crosby and Ovechkin– making him arguably the third most valuable centerman in the game.
When you consider his low entry-level contract, he may be the steal of the season.
For fantasy purposes, this helps owners ensure their product will not decrease in value. Pivoting Ovechkin for the next ten years should keep any player’s value above average. Backstrom turns 23 this November and is really only beginning what could be an excellent NHL career. He certainly will be a first round pick in your upcoming draft, take him with confidence as he will continue to be a bonafide #1 center (in the regular season at least).
