Alex Ovechkin had some kind words for longtime teammate Nicklas Backstrom after competing in the “Match of the Year” scrimmage on Sunday, pitting Russian NHL stars versus KHL ones.
“We grew up together as hockey players, as people,” Ovechkin said of Backstrom to Match TV, as translated by Google Translate. “One of my best partners, of course.”
Ovechkin’s comments came in the wake of Backstrom’s Capitals contract officially expiring on July 1. Backstrom played 17 seasons with the Capitals, notching 1,033 points in 1,105 games. The Swedish centerman is the franchise leader in assists, with 762. Two hundred and seventy-nine of those apples came on Ovechkin goals — the most of any player who has played with the Capitals captain.
Ovechkin and Backstrom played their very first game together on October 5, 2007 and their last on October 29, 2023. Days later, the Super Swede suspended his NHL career due to lingering issues with his surgically-repaired hip. Backstrom is reportedly expected to sign with his former Swedish Hockey League team, Brynas IF, and potentially resume his playing career next season, finishing his career where it first started. Backstrom put his Northern Virginia home up for sale in the spring and has since moved back home to Galve.
Despite Backstrom not suiting up for a game last season, he still managed to be around the team in various ways. While Ovechkin was rehabbing a broken leg in December, Backstrom returned to the ice and practiced with the Russian superstar, helping him regain his timing.
The 37-year-old also traveled with the Capitals to Long Island and was in attendance at UBS Arena when Ovechkin broke the NHL goals record against the New York Islanders. Backstrom, tearing up while hugging Ovi in the locker room, took a photo while holding up the milestone goal puck with his longtime line-mate.
Backstrom participated in several different major events, including a championship plaque unveiling at Washington Harbour, Caps 50 Fest, and the “Gr8 City Celebration” ceremony at Capital One Arena after Ovechkin scored his 895th goal.
The greatest center in Capitals history surprised Ovechkin with a gift on stage, a baby “Gr8ness goat.” G.O.A.T. is also an acronym that means: Greatest Of All Time.
Ovechkin told Match TV that the kid is “alive and well” and “moderately plump.”
He added, “You could say Backstrom gave it to me as a joke. What happened when I broke the record… Everyone just went crazy and started doing crazy things.”
