One day we might look back and wonder what might have been if Nicklas Backstrom played second fiddle to no one. Ever since he has entered the league in 2007, the Swedish born pivot has played ‘Robin’ to Alexander Ovechkin’s ‘Batman’ and has thrived in the role.
Pairing one of the premiere passing players in the league with the best goal scorer since the 2005 lockout has been a dream come true for highlight reels as well as Washington Capital fans, but will the combination keep us from seeing the best possible Backstrom has to offer?
In his 501st career NHL game, Backstrom scored his 500th career point by assisting (of course) on John Carlson’s first period power play goal. It was his sixth point of the young season (only one goal), leading the team in helpers.
Along with Backstrom, the 2006-NHL Draft produced such big names as Jonathan Toews, Phil Kessel, and Claude Giroux. Toews may be the most recognizable out of the entire bunch, but in some way or another they all grab more individual headlines than Backstrom.
Of the four, only the Capitals’ young center has topped 500-points, and Kessel is the closest currently 33-points away from the plateau.
Throughout his career 74% of his points have been assists, and he has only topped the 20-goal mark and 200-shot plateau twice. His third season saw his only 30-goal season as well as 100-point year. Having played with Ovechkin just about his entire career, those numbers don’t really come as a surprise.
Despite being known for his passing ability, Backstrom’s shooting percentage is exactly one point less than Ovechkin’s (11.3% to 12.3%). If Backstrom were to shoot the puck, for just one season, as many times as Ovie has averaged over his career – that would equate to a 46-goal output.
Nothing Backstrom has ever done or said has given any clue that he doesn’t mind being the distributor for the team, especially on the power play. Joe Thornton has certainly built an amazing career for himself being the same kind of player (76% of his points are helpers), and Backstrom seems to be right on the same path.
In the same way we will always wonder what Evgeni Malkin could have done on a team of his own; we will always wonder what Backstrom could have done as the lead.
To be 26 years old and be at the 500-point mark is impressive, no matter who you are riding shotgun with. In the ever expanding search for top line, point-per-game pivots – Backstrom may be the best that you don’t hear about unless you hear another player’s name first.
With the numbers to firmly sit among those already in the conversation, it seems a matter of if he ever gets the credit rather than the when it should be.
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