Washington Capitals Player Preview: Nicklas Backstrom

NoVa Caps has been preparing key “player previews” for the upcoming season as the Washington Capitals begin to gear up for the start of training camp in two weeks. Today, we continue our previews with center Nicklas Backstrom.

2016-2017 SEASON RECAP
Nicklas Backstrom (quietly) had yet another banner season. In fact, Backstrom totalled the third best offensive production of his NHL career, registering 23 goals and 63 assists for 89 points, which also led the Capitals team. Backstrom played in all 82 regular season games and all 13 playoff games.

Backstrom, whose time on ice (TOI) was intentionally reduced for the 2016-2017 season (along with other Capitals top-line players) still managed to stay in the chase for the scoring title until the very end of the season.

Backstrom reached several big milestones during the 2016-2017 season, including the 500 assists plateau.

In January, just prior to notching his 500th assist, Backstrom gave us this gem of a quote in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Alex Prewitt. “I’m trying to outsmart guys,” he said. “Sometimes I’m overthinking, and sometimes I’m not. I actually like screwing with the other team.” You can read the complete interview here.

Backstrom was fairly open with the media on team breakdown day back in May. Backstrom was asked if he felt changes were needed. His answer was fairly concise and to the point.

Backstrom would end his hockey year on a high note, winning the gold medal with Team Sweden at the World Championships in Cologne, Germany. More about the gold and his bromance with William Nylander can be found here.

2017-2018 SEASON PREVIEW
Backstrom, who turns 30 on November 23rd, has shown no signs of slowing down to this point in his career. It will be interesting to see if this continues for Backstrom in the 2017-2018 season.

Backstrom could face his greatest test of leadership this season as he is looked to for mentoring promoted offensive propspects. Backstrom will be asked to mentor new components to the Capitals top 6 forwards, most likely Jakub Vrana, but possibly others.

More of this:

https://novacapsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/backstrom-assist-ezgif-com-video-to-gif.gif?w=640

Less of this:
It’s difficult to find an area for Backstrom to improve upon as he continues to methodically excel each season. It’s tough to ask for more scoring, more assists and even more goals, but that’s where we will go with this one. We’d love to see Nick shoot the puck more often. Less passing and more shooting.

Goals for the season: