Capitals lock up Backstrom with 10-year, $67 million deal

[RockStar36]

This morning, the Capitals announced a 10-year, $67 million deal for the 22-year old centerman (http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=529365&navid=DL%7CWSH%7Chome), with his deal expiring one year before Alex Ovechkin's. (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3637/)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3637/news)

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Capitals-lock-up-Backstrom-with-10-year-67-mil?urn=nhl,241434

[RockStar36]

That's quite a bit of money dedicated to two players.

Ovechkin and Backstrom now count roughly $16 million toward the cap for the next decade.

[OpIv37]

That's going to hurt them down the road. They still need to fix their goaltender situation, and there are other guys on that team who will either need to be re-signed or replaced.

It almost seems like they're hedging their bets that they will win it in the next year or two, because they won't have money to re-sign guys like Mike Greene once their contracts come up.

[rbochan]

Rick DiPietro is smiling as he heads to the 2nd tee.

[OpIv37]

Rick DiPietro is smiling as he heads to the 2nd tee.

don't worry, he'll be injured and carted off the course before he makes the turn.

[clumping platelets]

Mike Green can be traded here :nod: