Ovechkin, who is tied with Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres for third in the NHL with 28 goals this season, has one season after this one remaining on his 13-year, $124 million contract that was signed Jan. 10, 2008. The 34-year-old left wing is eligible to sign an extension beginning on July 1, so he will soon be going through a similar process to Backstrom's.
"We'll see what's going to happen," Ovechkin said. "Obviously, we can't talk until July 1, but we'll see. I'm not in a rush and I think [MacLellan] and (owner) Ted [Leonsis] and the whole organization are not in a rush to sign me."
Ovechkin understands well why Backstrom wanted to stay in Washington. Ovechkin is in his 15th season with the Capitals after they selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.
"I think as a player you want to stay in one spot because your family is here, you have lots of friends, you have a very good relationship with the city, with the organization," Ovechkin said. "And, for us you don't want to move because it became a second home. And I think for him, he knows everybody here, he knows this area and he grew up here and basically the same happen with me and with the other players."
Knowing that Backstrom will be with the Capitals for at least five more seasons is another reason for Ovechkin to want to stay too, but he said he was never worried Backstrom would leave.
"I was pretty comfortable because I knew 100 percent that he will sign because he's our No. 1 center, he's a top guy in the League and the organization don't let him go," Ovechkin said.
Although Backstrom did a good job negotiating on his own behalf, Ovechkin isn't interested in hiring him to as an agent.
"No, I'm good," said Ovechkin, who negotiated his current contract without an agent. "I stick with myself."