Caps re-sign Backstrom to long-term deal

Despite a premature exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the future of the Washington Capitals looks a little brighter today thanks to the long-term presence of star center Nicklas Backstrom, who on Monday signed a 10-year contract extension. The announcement was made by GM George McPhee at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. with Backstrom, coach Bruce Boudreau, and chairman and majority owner Ted Leonsis in attendance.

"I'm so happy to be here," said Backstrom. "This organization, we've been growing the last couple years. I'm proud to be a part of that. I'm looking forward to being here for the next 10 years."

Backstrom, 22, was due to become a restricted free agent July 1. Now he joins a list of core players locked up for the next few seasons. Alex Ovechkin is signed through 2020-21, defenseman Mike Green has two more seasons before he reaches restricted free agency, and forwards Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich, defensemen John Carlson and Karl Alzner, and goaltenders Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth have one more year remaining.

In all, the Caps now have 16 players under contract for 2010-11, including Mike Knuble, Jason Chimera, Tom Poti, Matt Bradley, David Steckel, John Erskine and Tyler Sloan.

This is the second long-term deal the Capitals have awarded in recent seasons. On Jan. 10, 2008, the team signed Ovechkin to a 13-year contact.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=215

Personally, I'm not a fan of these extra long term deals, but Backstrom is an excellent player.

Cause it seems like they are never going to get out of the first couple of rounds if they don't start playing better defense.

He's not a liability in the Caps end of the ice, let's put it that way. It's a good signing for the team, I'm just leery of these mega long term deals. I think it makes a player less hungry. Still, I'd have signed him to a 4 or 5 year deal easily.

It'll be interesting to see which moves, if any, the team makes in the Free Agent market after the season. They really don't need a lot of help overall, but I'd be looking for one top line defenseman (if available...I have no idea who is on the market yet), and a goalie upgrade if possible, either through trade or free agency.

And here's the actual link...I fucked it up in the OP and it's too late to edit. Doh!
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=529369

Now they need to find some defensemen that can put the fear of God into opposing puck carriers.