Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Year in Review: Nicklas Backstrom

September 10, 2020, 3:58 PM ET [4 Comments]
Brian Sickles
Washington Capitals Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Hello,

Here is the year in review for Nicklas Backstrom:

Player Name: Nicklas Backstrom
Position: Center
Age: 32
Current contract: $9.2 mil/year. Pending UFA at end of 2025-2026 season
2019-2020 Regular Season Stats: 12-42-54 in 61 GP
2019-2020 Post Season Stats: 0 points in 1 GP (Injured in game one against NYI)

Leading into the season, the Capitals locked Backstrom up for a 6 year 9.2mil/year deal. Backstrom has been largely underpaid throughout his career relative to his production. He deserved this pay raise. A former 100-point scorer doesn’t deserve to be making $6million per year. With that being said, 2019-2020 was not Backstrom’s best year by any means. He went from scoring 74 points in 80 games (.92 points per game) in 2018-2019 to 54 points in 61 games (.88 points/game) in 2019-2020.

At first glance, this season was somewhat disappointing for Backstrom after signing that big deal. He was injured at times and just didnt seem to quite have the same pep in his step. However, if you take a closer look at his 5on5 stats advanced stats, a large portion of averages remained consistent with previous years. His shots attempted, shots on goal, and expected goals were all almost identical to previous years. His shooting percentage did dip to 9.1%. The previous four years he averaged a 13.85 shooting %. He has not been below 10% since 2013-2014. Backstrom isn’t by any means known for shooting or goal scoring so this doesn’t necessarily bother me. Backstrom is one of the most elite passers in the league. His assists/game ratio was .68 assists/game in 2019-2020. This was a slightly increase from .65 assists/game in 2018-2019.

Backstrom will turn 33 in November next season. The average age of an NHL is roughly 27 years, so he is certainly considered a veteran player in the league. From all players drafted in the 2006 NHL draft, Backstrom tied 2nd at 42 assists with Jonathan Toews. The only player with more was Brad Marchand at 59 assists. Backstrom may have had a slightly “off” year but most statistics show he has dipped nearly as much as some might argue. He is the best passer on the team. He also is the best at getting the puck in the zone and setting up the power play. On the power play, he is the best on the team at controlling the puck and creating space for everyone involved. This separation typically leads to more high quality/high danger chances for both Ovechkin and Carlson. His hockey IQ is through the roof!!

If Backstrom can stay healthy next season, I expect him to stay on pace for his current statistical averages. Health was a factor this year as Backstrom a decent amount of time in both the regular season and postseason. There isn’t much bad you can say about Backstrom. The guy is a wizard with the puck and an even better person off the ice.

Thanks for reading!
Go Caps
Join the Discussion: » 4 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Brian Sickles
» Ovechkin Breaks Gordie Howe's Record for Most Goals with One Team
» WSH 1, DET 3 - Ovechkin Ties Howe in Detroit
» WSH 0, DAL 2 - Caps Blanked by Oettinger and Stars
» WSH 6, NJD 3 - Washington Capitalizes on Blackwood's Off Night
» WSH 4, LAK 3 - Caps Mount Another Third Period Comeback