Brian Sickles: Year in Review: Nicklas Backstrom

Backstrom is way overrated not underrated, very bad contract.

Backstrom is way overrated not underrated, very bad contract.
- franky619

Thanks for the comment!

The last three years NHL.com conducted a player poll including various accolades. One of the categories players voted on was most “Underrated Player”. Most underrated player has only been voted on in two of the three polls. In each of the two polls, Backstrom ranked 1st and 2nd as voted by players across the league. I would say a nod by his fellow players as the most underrated player has fairly strong value.

Contractually speaking, yes, it is a hefty contract to take but he deserves the pay bump after largely being underpaid throughout his career. In addition, as a bias Caps fan, the cost of keeping him around to help Ovi chase Gretsky’s goal scoring record over the next five years is also priceless

I agree that Backstrom was underpaid, but isn’t that his agent’s doing? Sports franchises don’t get ahead paying guys for what they have done for them in the past, but rather what they’ll still do for the team in the future. It’s a dangerous path paying players ‘thanks for the memories’ money. That’s not to say Backstrom is worthless. Certainly not! But he is most certainly overpaid.

It’s one thing if it’s a short deal close together the end of retirement that doesn’t break the bank, but paying him over $9m for the foreseeable future could be rather, well, costly.

Thanks for the comment!

The last three years NHL.com conducted a player poll including various accolades. One of the categories players voted on was most “Underrated Player”. Most underrated player has only been voted on in two of the three polls. In each of the two polls, Backstrom ranked 1st and 2nd as voted by players across the league. I would say a nod by his fellow players as the most underrated player has fairly strong value.

Contractually speaking, yes, it is a hefty contract to take but he deserves the pay bump after largely being underpaid throughout his career. In addition, as a bias Caps fan, the cost of keeping him around to help Ovi chase Gretsky’s goal scoring record over the next five years is also priceless
- Brian Sickles

Hey you're welcome, and as we know survey means everything. What part of his game is underrated? The fact that there is 189 player that have scored more goals this year? Or maybe that 57 players have more points, the guy is a non factor 5v5 average skater, average on face off he beneficiated from playing with Ovi his whole career. You're right we should trust the survey.