Top Pick Opts for Sweden Next Season

HERSHEY, Pa., July 10 -- Nicklas Backstrom, the Capitals' top draft pick last month, informed the club Monday he won't be coming to Washington next season but will instead continue playing in his native Sweden for another year.

The news was not totally unexpected but does not bode well for the rebuilding Capitals, who are in need of speed and skill at the center position. The 18-year-old Backstrom was taken fourth overall and was pegged as the eventual setup man for star left wing Alex Ovechkin.

"Nicklas feels he needs another full year of development before coming to the NHL," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said through a team spokesman. "He would like to do what Alex did and come over as a 20-year-old. We appreciate that he was decisive and respect his decision."

Backstrom's agent, Marc Levine, added: "Nicklas wanted another year to get his physical and mental attributes up to speed. The Capitals have been very supportive of his decision, and he appreciates that."

The first indication the Capitals may have trouble persuading the 6-foot, 183-pound Backstrom to join them in September came on draft night, when he said, "Maybe I can play [in the NHL next season], but it's a decision to make a few weeks after the draft."

On Friday, McPhee told Backstrom if he came over and was "not comfortable or in over his head" that the Capitals would allow him to return to Sweden at any time. It wasn't enough to change his mind.

Backstrom, the rookie of the year last season in the Swedish Elite League, will return to Brynas, where he had 10 goals and 16 assists in 46 games.

Morrisonn Signs Deal

Promising defenseman Shaone Morrisonn signed a two-year contract Monday. Morrisonn distinguished himself in his first full NHL season, despite being matched against the opposing team's top forward line in many games. The 23-year-old had filed for salary arbitration last week but avoided the potentially messy process by agreeing to a deal that will pay him $900,000 each year, up from the $858,800 he earned last season.

"He was one of our steadiest defensemen," McPhee said. "He has great mobility for the new NHL game. He closes on players very quickly and defends really well. He'll just get better in that department. We'd like to have him generate some more offense. That will make him a more rounded player."

Morrisonn led the team with 131 blocked shots and had a plus-minus rating of plus-7, which was second best on the team and tops among defensemen.

Ovechkin in Mix for Captaincy

Speculation about Jeff Halpern's successor as team captain began moments after the veteran center signed a free agent contract with the Dallas Stars last week. Coach Glen Hanlon didn't dance around the issue Monday, saying: "The real question is, 'Is Ovechkin ready to do it?' There's no getting around that. That's the question."

Ovechkin, the reigning rookie of the year in NHL, has emerged as the unquestioned face of the franchise.

"The final decision hasn't been made," Hanlon added. But "the process has started."

Development Camp Is Underway

The Capitals' five-day development camp, which began Sunday here at Giant Center, stresses training and conditioning habits, nutrition and on-ice instruction. The only session open to the public is a scrimmage on Thursday at Giant Center at 7:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.