Nicklas Backstrom

Despite living in Alex Ovechkin's shadow, Backstrom was arguably the driving force of Washington's offense during the 2020-21 season. The 33-year-old Swede led the team in scoring, notching 15 goals and 53 points in 55 games - including 22 power-play points. Additionally, Backstrom managed to post a career-high 16.5% shooting rate, delighting fantasy managers who have long been accustomed to his prowess as a playmaker. With a five-year, $45 million extension in hand, Backstrom will continue to be a key cog in Washington's offensive attack and his reliable defensive game should afford him plenty of usage moving forward. Whether he has turned the page in the goal-scoring department remains to be seen, but Backstrom should be relied upon once again for near point-per-game production with stable usage on a talented top power-play unit, so fantasy managers should continue to draft him in the early rounds as they normally would.

Backstrom missed a total of 11 games due to a pair of injuries last season, obviously to the detriment of his offensive totals, but he still produced at his usual steady rate when healthy, finishing the campaign with 12 goals, 42 assists, 132 shots and 18 power-play points in 61 games. The 33-year-old Swede will continue to center the Capitals' second line and top power-play unit in 2020-21, and should return to his 20-plus goal, 70-plus point pace without much difficulty. That'll make him worth picking up as a secondary forward option somewhere between the seventh and eighth rounds in most formats during this year's fantasy drafts.

For a dependable 70-plus-point producer, Backstrom has a remarkable ability to fly under the radar. For four consecutive seasons, the Swedish playmaker has posted 20-plus goals and 50-plus assists, entrenching himself as one of the more dependable fantasy assets in the NHL. The prospect of his first contract year in a decade should provide some added incentive, but the 31-year-old should reprise his role as a scoring-line center and fixture on the top power-play unit. With oodles of skill, opportunity, and financial incentives, Backstrom should have no trouble reaching his usual levels of production - with the potential for more.

One of the most dependable playmakers in the league, Backstrom took a slight step back in 2017-18. After posting 86 points the prior year, he managed 21 goals and 70 points in 75 games despite seeing close to a one-minute spike in ice time (18:40) on a per-game basis. Playing with a revolving door of left wingers may have contributed to Backstrom's slide, and now the Caps will have to adjust to a new head coach. Todd Reirden is a bit of a wild card, though Washington has long relied upon the combination of Alex Ovechkin and Backstrom at even strength over the last decade, so the two are likely to be reunited at various points of the season. The Swedish forward could provide more value if he slips in fantasy drafts, as he's still a key cog in a potent offense and lethal power-play unit. Draft him with confidence.

Over the last 10 seasons, only Joe Thornton and Henrik Sedin have more assists than Backstrom’s 540, but those guys are both on the back ends of their careers -- Backstrom is only 29, a playmaker in his prime. Alex Ovechkin’s partner in crime is coming off his second-highest goal total (23) along with another huge helping of assists (63, his biggest total since 2009-10). The Swede has been nearly a point-per-game player throughout his NHL career, and there’s no reason to expect otherwise in 2017-18. After all, he’s healthy and coming back with the same linemates on a Capitals team that should be one of the best in the Eastern Conference again. There are few safer picks in fantasy.

A hip injury derailed the start of Backstrom’s season and he had to contend with the rise of fellow playmaking center Evgeny Kuznetsov, but the Swede still reached 70 points for the third straight year, dishing many of his assists to Alex Ovechkin, as usual. He also managed to hit 20 goals for the first time since 2009-10, though fantasy owners shouldn’t count on that to be repeated. With the 28-year-old set to start this season healthy, we’ll likely see a goal total in the high teens while Backstrom does his thing in the assist column, averaging around a point per game as usual. His production is sure to be tied rather directly to Ovechkin’s, which has been a great formula for both Capitals stars. Draft him early and enjoy the glorious consistency.

So, who’s the best playmaker from the 2007-08 draft? Claude Giroux? Patrick Kane? Try Backstrom, and by a wide margin. In fact, Backstrom’s fifth among active NHL players in points per game -- behind only Sid the Kid, Geno, Ovie and Mr. Jagr himself. Seriously. Can you say "underrated"? Backstrom led the NHL in 2014-15 with 60 assists, half of which came on the power play, and he has 572 points in 577 NHL games. He underwent arthroscopic hip surgery in May that kept him off the ice until early August, but all reports point to him being ready for October. Even if he misses a couple of games to start the year, Backstrom will once again vie for the NHL’s playmaking title. You really can’t go wrong with him in the middle of the first round in a 12-team league. If he falls to you in the second because of the injury, you'll turn a tidy profit.

Although he struggled at even strength like many of his teammates, Backstrom’s work on the power play helped him to turn in a solid campaign. With 38 power-play assists and 44 points on the man advantage, Backstrom led all NHLers in both categories. One of the better two-way players in the game, Backstrom's minus-20 rating should be considered an anomaly, as the talented playmaker should thrive as an all-around player under the new regime, and even merit Selke Trophy consideration this season. Though underwhelming as a goal scorer, Backstrom should still be one of the first centers off the board. He has point-per-game upside heading into 2014-2015, as he’ll once again play next to one of the game’s elite goal scorers in Alex Ovechkin.

Backstrom scored just eight goals last season but ranked third in the league in assists with 40. He missed a considerable part of the 2011-2012 season with concussion issues and injuries are still a bit of a concern here. Keeping Backstrom healthy and fresh will be a major priority for Coach Adam Oates especially since this is an Olympic year and Backstrom can be expected to be a major part of Sweden’s National Team. The ubiquitous GEICO pitchman remains a solid source of points but don’t overpay, his highwater mark of 101 points way back in 2009-10 will be difficult to repeat.

Backstrom has had two consecutive disappointing seasons after signing a large contract with the Capitals before the 2010-2011 season. He missed half of last season due to a concussion suffered in early January, but managed 44 points and 95 shots in 42 games. This fall, he may be a cheap buy due to his low totals last year, but don't wait too long. He's a tremendous playmaker and there are worse players than Alexander Ovechkin to have on your wing. Look for Backstrom's goals to be in the mid-20�s, shots in the upper 100�s, and points just shy of 100 if he stays healthy.

Backstrom had his worst season as a pro last year and many critics say the big contract he received went to his head. With that lesson out of the way, look for the young pivot to get back on track and push the 100-point mark and 200-shot plateau. He also has only missed five games in his four-year career, which is something to keep in mind on draft day. If your opponents pass on him due to one down year, grab him and reap the benefits of having one of the top centers in the league.

Backstrom continues to show why he is one of the league’s fastest rising stars. Not only did he collect 101 points (33 G, 68 A) in just his third NHL season, but like teammate Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom sinks a great deal of his shots taken per year: 12.6% average, to be exact. Something else to like about Backstrom is the fact that he has not missed a game in his three-year career. Draft him high and enjoy the ride as he often centers the league's top winger.

Backstrom's second full season was somewhat of an encore of his rookie season. He posted 88 points (22G, 66A), which was 17 more than 2007-08. He showed how valuable he is to the team and the top line and how much potential he really has. He has a knack for setting up goals, having combined for 121 assists over the past two seasons. It helps when Ovechkin is one of your wingers, of course, but he is showing what he can do and is making a name for himself in the league. He tallied three goals and 12 assists in the 14 playoff games and should man the top line on the power play this season. The assist machine should benefit again with the line he plays with and has a great chance at cracking 100 points if he decides to shoot a little more.

Backstrom got off to a slow start in his rookie campaign last season, but when second-line center Michael Nylander was lost for the season, he took advantage of his opportunity. The rookie turned into an assist machine, finishing the season with 55, while adding 14 goals and finishing with a plus 13 rating. He also saw significant time (4:02 per game) on the power play tallying 25 of his points on the advantage. He will likely man the top-line this season and continue to see significant power play time. Playing alongside Alex Ovechkin and Viktor Kozlov for a full season increases his value tremendously. His upside is enormous and has the potential to put up 80 – 90 points.

After being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2006 draft, the then-18-year-old Backstrom decided to spend one more year in the Swedish Elite League to gain some additional seasoning before making the leap across the pond to the NHL. He made a serious impression, leading one of the world’s top leagues in points for much of the season before finishing tops on his team with 40 points in 45 games. Backstrom then repeated his feats on the international stage at the World Junior Hockey Championships, leading the Swedish team and finishing 10th in the tournament with seven points in seven games. He'll likely center the Caps' second line alongside the talented Alexander Semin, and is a frontrunner for the Calder Trophy as the NHL rookie of the year.

Backstrom, the fourth overall pick in the 2006 NHL entry draft, has loads of talent and should center the Caps' top line and skate alongside Alexander Ovechkin for years to come. Unfortunately for the Caps, Backstrom decided that he wouldn't start his NHL career this season, instead opting to stay in Sweden. If he's elibigle to be drafted in keeper leagues, he's a good one to hold onto for next season.

Backstrom has been compared to fellow Swede Peter Forsberg. His offensive talents may be similar but he isn't the physical force Forsberg is. He makes tape-to-tape passes and has a zamboni full of hockey smarts. He'll be a fixture on the first line in Washington for a very long time, and his fantasy production will be forever linked to future linemate Alex Ovechkin.