With Nicklas Backstrom entering the final year of his 10-year contract, and Alex Ovechkin in the penultimate year of his own 13-year contract, conversation has naturally turned to whether the duo will be looking to re-sign with the Capitals. With Backstrom already stating that it “felt like it was yesterday” that he signed his last contract, and Ovi wanting to “play until I can’t play,” the pair have dropped several strong hints that they have a desire to remain in Washington.

While on the Capitals Talk podcast with Rob Carlin, Backstrom reiterated his stance that Ovi could catch Gretzky’s record, and Ovechkin also teased that the two could potentially sign their next contracts to expire together.

And what is it they say? Once is luck, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern.

Podcast

Nicklas Backstrom: “You know, I honestly think his comment is the best one yet: Russian machine never breaks. So I honestly think that’s actually true. So he’s going to play until he’s done. Whenever he decides. That’s up to him. So I mean I think it fits him very well.”

Rob Carlin: “So the follow-up to that is – and I know you don’t want to really talk about it – but the Gretzky record? How long is he playing? Can he give it a run?”

Nicklas Backstrom: “Yeah, I mean I did my math for the radio show there. You know what? I think it’s – I’m not going to jinx it for him – but I think it’s doable, for sure. Like, without a doubt. I think so. And I know he’s hungry for it too.”

Alex Ovechkin: “Well, we’ll see. What you gonna sign six more years and then I’ll sign for five more years and here we go.”

Rob Carlin: “This is something that is going to be a big thing, the contract year. Would you ultimately, the two of you, love to stack it like that and maybe one day you guys go out together? You ever thought about that as you start looking down the road now?”

Alex Ovechkin: “Yeah, of course when contracts end up, you just want to see what’s the future and I’m pretty sure what we did together and for this organization it’s going to be forever right? So I don’t know. It’s not our job to talk about what they want to do but I’m sure Nicky and I would love to stay and we’ll see.”

Headline photo: NBC