TORONTO - When hockey fans think of the Washington Capitals, other than chuckling over the Jaromir Jagr debacle, young superstar Alex Ovechkin immediately comes to mind.

The flashy Moscow native is one of the most dynamic goal-scorers in the NHL. Ovechkin is energetic on and off the ice, is an excellent spokesperson for the league and carries the kind of characteristics every hockey player should embody.

That being said, he’s not the only young stud on the Capitals youthful roster.

Swedish rookie Nicklas Backstrom is starting to make a name for himself. With five assists on the season, he’s among the top first-year point-getters, possesses excellent control with the puck and creates numerous scoring chances.

It’s often difficult for young European players to come across the Pond and make an immediate impact on an NHL club, but Backstrom appears to have done just that.

“I was in the same situation [when I was a rookie],” Ovechkin said. “I know what it means to be in a different team where you don’t know the guys.

“He feels great here and very comfortable here. He’s a very good playmaker. He goes to the offensive zone, controls the puck, and he can score goals.”

Born in Gavle, Sweden and growing up in his native country, Backstrom idolized players like Peter Forsberg and Mats Sundin who made the jump to the NHL and are recognized as two of the top performers in the league. He didn’t try to mimic their style of play, recognizing his own abilities and molding himself into a two-way forward.

“I think I’m a little more of a playmaker,” said the 19-year-old. “I play in the defensive and in the offensive zone. I think that’s my game. I read the game [well], that’s my biggest thing.”

Capitals head coach Glen Hanlon loved what he saw in the youngster in training camp and has plays him alongside fellow countryman Michael Nylander and Russian sniper Alexander Semin, who is currently injured.

“He’s a good playmaker,” Hanlon said of Backstrom. “He hasn’t scored yet, but I think that’s sort of going to be his game. I think he could be a person that is more comfortable passing the puck than shooting the puck.

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“He’s a good solid two-way player. Ever situation he seems to be in the right spot. He battles along the boards. He’s quite comfortable playing left wing or center. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

Despite the few opportunities he’s had to score, Backstrom’s yet to notch his first career NHL goal in 11 games with the Capitals. With 71 games left on the schedule, the quick Swede knows his time will come.

“For me it doesn’t matter who scores,” he said. “Most important for me is for the team to win. Of course, I have to start scoring goals, but I don’t feel any pressure. I just want to play my game. I think I’ll say ‘finally’ when it comes. We’ll see what happens. I think it’ll come soon.”

Displaying an extremely mature attitude on and off the ice, Backstrom’s a good-natured individual who enjoys having some fun. He and Ovechkin have clicked well together, which is important for an organization boasting two of the top young talents in the game.

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“Ovie’s been really good. He takes him all over,” Hanlon said. “He’s been great with Backs. That’s the neat thing about Ovie. Dainius Zubrus took Ovie [last season] and looked after him, and now it doesn’t take [Ovechkin] very long to reciprocate.”

Smiling when asked if he picks on Backstrom from time to time, Ovechkin replied: “I try to joke about him, asking ‘when will you finally going to score goals?’ We try joking around with him. I remember my first year, everybody supported me. We try supporting him too; he’s a rookie just like [I was].”

Capitals fans have a lot to look forward to this season, and for years to come. The combination of Ovechkin and Backstrom, along with youngsters Semin, Jeff Schultz, Mike Green and Tomas Fleischmann, and top prospect Karl Alzner, gives Caps an extremely potent lineup.

“It’s fun every game,” Backstrom said. “I love to play hockey. We’re here to win and we have to do our best every night.”