Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom confirmed on Monday that he has parted ways with his agent and is negotiating a new contract by himself. The 32-year old is in the final year of a 10-year, $67 million contract, and extension conversations have been in the works since November 23.

Before the 2019-20 season, Backstrom and his agent, Mark Levine, went their separate ways. Feeling comfortable with the Capitals organization, he wanted to discuss his future in Washington on his own.

Backstrom, who is negotiating his new contract by himself, said he has been here long enough and seen so much that he wanted to do it himself.

“I wanted to do it myself. I feel like I have a good enough relationship with this organization that we can be honest and talk.”

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 2, 2019

Backstrom has indicated numerous times of re-signing with the Capitals. He was hoping to “get something done” before the start of the season. He was asked how things are going with the contract talks. Backstrom replied, “I’m out of contract next year so I’m not doing that good, I think”.

Asked how talks on an extension are going, Backstrom smiled and said, “I’m out of contract next year so I’m not doing that good, I think.” #Caps

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) December 2, 2019

On a lighter note, captain Alex Ovechkin offered to become Backstrom’s agent but the Swedish forward politely declined the offer.

Backstrom joked that Ovechkin wanted to be his agent but he politely said no.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) December 2, 2019

This season, Backstrom has picked up 18 points (4 goals) in 23 games played. In 918 career games with Washington, the 2006 first round, fourth overall pick accumulated 891 points (235 goals) and contributed greatly to the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup Championship.

By Della Young

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