Alex Ovechkin has been keeping up with Nicklas Backstrom's SHL games: 'We all miss him here. I hope he's going to do well."

""Yeah, happy for him," Ovechkin told RMNB's Katie Adler. "You know, wish him all the best. Obviously, we all miss him here, but you know, he's back on the ice, and I hope he's going to do well.""

"Backstrom played all 17 of his seasons on the Capitals alongside Ovechkin, notching 1,033 career points (271g, 762a) in 1,105 NHL games, and he even followed Ovechkin to the KHL's Dynamo Moscow during the 2012-13 lockout. He is the franchise leader in assists and has more assists on Ovechkin goals (279) than any other player who has suited up with the Capitals captain."

"Ovechkin acknowledged that it was odd to return to DC without Backstrom this season, also highlighting the absence of longtime teammate TJ Oshie. "The same (with) Osh and now with Backe, you know," Ovechkin added. "That energy they bring to the locker room, on the ice, and off the ice, it was tremendous. So, yeah, it's kind of weird, but it's a business.""

Nicklas Backstrom departed the Washington Capitals after nearly two decades and signed with Brynäs IF of the SHL following the expiration of his final Capitals contract. Backstrom missed much of last season due to a long-term hip injury and paused his NHL career after lingering issues with a surgically repaired hip. Alex Ovechkin said he checks in on Backstrom's games in Sweden and expressed well wishes while noting that Backstrom and TJ Oshie brought significant energy to the locker room. Backstrom totaled 1,033 points (271 goals, 762 assists) in 1,105 NHL games and remains the Capitals' all-time assists leader.

Read at RMNB