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Db_04: En liten text om Bäckström från Washington Post
"Alex Ovechkin was drafted two years ago, but yesterday at General Motors Place in Vancouver, B.C., the Washington Capitals' star found himself standing at center stage once again.
This time he was doing the picking.
In a somewhat surprising gesture, Ovechkin stepped to the lectern and announced the Capitals' No. 4 choice in the NHL entry draft, Sweden's Nicklas Backstrom, a playmaking center who is expected to share the ice with the reigning rookie of the year, perhaps next season.
"That was unbelievable," Backstrom said of hearing his name called by Ovechkin. "He's a great player. I love this guy. It was amazing. He has good speed and is a goal scorer. Maybe we can do it together. I can be a playmaker to him."
"He said to me, 'Welcome.' "
Backstrom was the top-ranked European player available and has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Flyers star Peter Forsberg, although he later said in a conference call that he patterns his game after Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg. In other words, the 18-year-old Backstrom, who is listed at 6 feet, 184 pounds, is projected to be precisely what the Capitals so desperately need.
"We believe he's a number one playmaking center," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said. "And we believe he's ready now. We'd like to have him here next year, but it's going to be up to him whether he wants to stay in Sweden another year. He's undecided, but says he would be open to it."
Backstrom, the rookie of the year in the Swedish Elite League after amassing 10 goals and 16 assists in 46 games for Brynas, said: "Maybe I can play [in the NHL next season], but it's a decision to make a few weeks after the draft."
"The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed captain Rod Brind'Amour to a five year deal.
The deal will pay the veteran centre $4 million in each of the first three years, and $3 million in each of the last two years, and is in lieu of the 2006-07 option on his prior contract."
Deas: Nu blev det till slut Canucks för Roberto Luongo.
"The Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers have completed a multi-player trade involving some big names on the eve of the NHL Draft.
The Panthers have confirmed that they acquired Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Allen and Alexander Auld from the Canucks in exchange for Roberto Luongo and Lukas Krajicek and a 2006 sixth round pick."
Inför helgens draft, en artikel från Toronto Star om de som blev valda sista av alla i draften.
"In the 37 drafts held since 1969, when the National Hockey League opened the talent-grab to include all amateur players in the world, only seven final picks have made it to the bigs; a number inflated because Blair Barnes (Edmonton's last pick in 1979) eventually got into one game with the L.A. Kings and Igor Vyazmikin (Edmonton, 1987) played four with the Oilers."
Deas: ja tycker då ovechkin var värd detta pris... båda spelade i skitlag... ovechkin gjort mer poäng och var bättre som spelare tycker jag.
Paddan: Resultaten blev då enligt följande:
Calder Trophy: Alexander Ovechkin.
Selke: Rod Brind'Amour
Hart: Joe Thornton
Art Ross Trophy: Joe Thornton
Maurice Richard Trophy: Jonathan Cheechoo
Jack Adams: Lindy Ruff
Norris: Niklas Lidström
Lady Byng: Pavel Datysuk
Lester B. Pearson:
Vezina: Miikka Kiprusoff
Conn Smythe Trophy: Cam Ward
Lester B. Pearson Award: Jaromir Jagr
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Teemu Selänne
William M. Jennings Trophy: Miikka Kiprusoff
Deas:
Calder Trophy: Ovechkin, vem kan motstå en ryss i vita Dolce & Gabbana jeans?
Selke: Här tror jag att det blir en Rod the Bodyslam. BrindAmour tar hem trofén, någon bra motivering har jag inte annat än att han fått dricka skumpa ur Stanley Cup denna säsong.
Hart: Joe Thornton, har haft en jäkligt bra säsong i San José och hans ankomst till Sharks lyfte laget.
Jack Adams: Här måste väl Lindy Ruff vara svårslagen, fast samtidigt så vann ju Laviolette SC. Äh, det får bli Lindy Ruff på målfoto.
Norris: Finns det fler kandidater än Lidas? ;)
Lady Byng: Äh, jag chansar på Marleau...har ingen vettig förklaring varför.
Lester B. Pearson: Eftersom Thornton vann Hart så blir det Jagr som vinner LB.P
Vezina: Borde väl vara vikt för Kiprusoff, men något säger mig ändå att Henke kan överraska och sno trofén framför ögonen på Miikka.
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www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_459794.html