Backstrom To Stay In Sweden
by J.P. on Jul 10, 2006 5:55 PM EDT
0 comments
At least I'm told that's what this means:
... and running the webpage through a free online translator tells us all we need to know:
My initial reaction was one of disappointment. I guess I would have liked to have seen Slick Nick display the same burning desire to conquer the North American game at the earliest possible date that Alex Ovechkin displayed from the word go last year. But Backstrom, the fourth overall pick in last month's Entry Draft (and by most accounts the most NHL-ready), is not Ovechkin, and hopefully another year of development in Europe as a big fish in a smaller pond will be best for him - and more importantly the Caps - in the long run. And don't forget that, due to the lockout, Ovechkin had a year of hockey in perhaps the most competitive professional league in the world (that was playing hockey) after being drafted before making his NHL debut last October. In essence, Backstrom will be doing the same. So after sitting on it for a few minutes, I'm fine with the decision and will anxiously await his North American debut.
Besides, can you blame a guy for not wanting to leave this?
UPDATE: Confirmation from the Caps' website:
UPDATE: The WaPo's got a story on Backstrom's decision here, the WTimes here.
[Hat tip to CapitalGoodie for the pointer]
... and running the webpage through a free online translator tells us all we need to know:
My initial reaction was one of disappointment. I guess I would have liked to have seen Slick Nick display the same burning desire to conquer the North American game at the earliest possible date that Alex Ovechkin displayed from the word go last year. But Backstrom, the fourth overall pick in last month's Entry Draft (and by most accounts the most NHL-ready), is not Ovechkin, and hopefully another year of development in Europe as a big fish in a smaller pond will be best for him - and more importantly the Caps - in the long run. And don't forget that, due to the lockout, Ovechkin had a year of hockey in perhaps the most competitive professional league in the world (that was playing hockey) after being drafted before making his NHL debut last October. In essence, Backstrom will be doing the same. So after sitting on it for a few minutes, I'm fine with the decision and will anxiously await his North American debut.
Besides, can you blame a guy for not wanting to leave this?
UPDATE: Confirmation from the Caps' website:
The team learned Monday that center Nicklas Backstrom, the team’s top choice (fourth overall) in last month’s 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, will not come to North America for the 2006-07 season. Backstrom has opted to remain in his native Sweden and play another season for Brynas of the Swedish Elite League.UPDATE: And here's even more for those of you who can read Swede.
UPDATE: The WaPo's got a story on Backstrom's decision here, the WTimes here.
[Hat tip to CapitalGoodie for the pointer]
0 recs |
0 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 31 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
19 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
21 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 22 |
|
Carolina
|
22 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 15 |
(updated 11.22.2009 at 12:47 AM EST)
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Saturday's Three Stars: Robidas rules; Perron's goal of year?
- Video: Laraque 'not worried' after knee-on-knee hit on Kronwall
- The 10 best teams that didn't win the Cup in the last decade
- Wounded Canadiens find motivation in desperation
- Friday's Three Stars: Heatley's trick; Florida, Boston win in OT
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
