Report: Backstrom opens contract talks with Capitals without agent

Washington Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom is taking matters into his own hands when it comes to his contract negotiations.

"I'm told ... that he has begun talks with the Capitals without an agent," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said on the latest edition of "Saturday Headlines."

The talented center is a pending unrestricted free agent and in the final campaign of a 10-year, $67-million pact he inked with the Capitals in 2010. Washington will have to figure out how to get Backstrom and goaltender Braden Holtby - another pending UFA - signed while dealing with limited cap flexibility.

Backstrom - who turned 32 on Saturday - ranks second on the Capitals' all-time points list, first on the club's career assists list, fourth in goals, and fifth in games played.

He's racked up 18 points in 23 contests this season, and he's amassed 891 points in 918 career games.