Learning a Second Language, Skating on the First Line?

Expectations for Backstrom's career have ballooned over his past two seasons with Brynas in the Swedish Elite League, where in 2005-06 he was named rookie of the year and led the team with 26 points before being drafted by the Capitals. He led the team in points (40) and assists (28) last season, when he opted to remain in Sweden rather than join the Capitals.

"I was 16 my first game in the Swedish Elite League, after that it goes so fast," he said, recalling the whirlwind series of events that have led up to this week's conditioning camp. "Everything just goes so fast, I don't know how it's happening."

One thing Backstrom was sure of, however, was that his decision to remain in Sweden for one more year was the right one, adding that he has "grown as a person."

"It seems that his stock rose so quickly last year that it's probably hard for him to imagine that six months after he started to play that he'd be taken in the first round and be asked to come over and play in America," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said.

McPhee said he believes that as Backstrom begins to settle down with the organization, he will be able to relax and focus on his game.

"In some ways, it may be easier for him to play hockey here than it has been in the past year in Sweden because he was in a fishbowl over there," McPhee said. "There was a lot on his shoulders in a lot of ways. He can come here like Ovechkin did two years ago without a lot of expectation and just play."

Just in case Backstrom needs to ask questions that he only can articulate in Swedish, center Michael Nylander said he's more than willing to help out his young countryman, with one condition.

"I will be his big brother, okay," said Nylander, who played with Backstrom on Sweden's 2006 world championship team and signed with the Capitals earlier this month. "But he will have to babysit my [six] children so I can go to dinner with my wife. That sounds really good."

When asked if he would, Backstrom smiled and replied, "Yeah, no problem."

Capitals Notes : One day after the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Sidney Crosby to a five-year contract extension, Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis acknowledged that the club and Ovechkin have had exploratory talks on an extension, but that nothing is imminent. Ovechkin, an all-star who will be entering the final year of his entry-level deal, does not have an agent and is dealing directly with McPhee, Leonsis said.

"I'm sure that the Ovechkin family and the Washington Capitals will come to a place where we both think is fair and right, and Alex will be here for a long time," Leonsis said. "That's his goal and I'm sure it will work out. He'll save some money by not having an agent." . . .

The Capitals signed goaltending prospect Simeon Varlamov to a three-year entry-level contract. The 19-year-old, who was selected 23rd overall in 2006, went 15-7-6 for Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League last season, posting a 2.12 goals against average.

The contract contains a clause that allows Varlamov to return to Russia next season. It will pay him $765,000 per year and includes an $85,000 signing bonus.

Staff writer Tarik El-Bashir contributed to this report.