On Frozen Blog

Nicklas Backstrom introduced to the press.

I happened to be sitting in the lobby of the Washington Capitals offices when Clan Backstrom made its way in from the bright spring day, and today’s center of attention looked a bit uncomfortable in a dark suit. After being warmly greeted by members of the Caps’ staff, the welcome was made complete when Ted Leonsis boomed down from the second level: “You found it okay?”

Nicklas Backstrom found the place okay, and is now a member of the Washington Capitals.

The Caps announced the signing of the gifted young Backstrom in their new and spacious Kettler Capitals locker room, which has a distinct lack of a logo present on the carpet. Player names aren’t yet up above the lockers, save the newest Cap’s, and Backstrom would conduct his interviews in front of his name-plated locker after the press conference.

Owner Ted Leonsis spoke briefly, describing the Backstrom family’s whirlwind tour of DC — meeting with Coach Glen Hanlon, General Manager George McPhee, taking in a Mystics game on Saturday, then hitting downtown, the White House, and Nicklas throwing the first pitch out at the Nationals’ game on Sunday — and identified the Swedish center as “Another part of the rebuilding plan, a part of the foundation of the core of the Washington Capitals.”

McPhee highlighted the young center’s play as “very creative offensively, and very responsible defensively.” While not directly addressed in Monday’s presser, Coach Hanlon has commented in the past that he sees Backstrom centering Alexander Semin, though everything is hypothetical at this point.

“I’m glad to be here and I will work hard this summer,” Backstrom said in his brief comments. He seemed a bit uncomfortable with all the attention, though dutifully posed for the expected pictures, and gave all requested interviews in quiet, fluent English.

The parties signed the contract this morning, and Tarik El-Bashir notes in his blog that Backstrom didn’t get the max, Ovechkin-style contract, though it’s safe to say that the youngster won’t have any trouble making rent payments anytime soon.

While it’s only one piece, it’s an important piece that the Caps added today. The center position gets some help, the Caps add a young player with two-way upside, and Nicklas Backstrom gets some downtime after a busy weekend and a busy day.