Washington Capitals: What will it take to keep Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby?

Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby are two important players among the Washington Capitals core. Both would love to stay, sure. But that’s easier said than done.

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan’s biggest project this season will be trying to figure out the contract situations of both Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby.

Both players are already back in Arlington at the team’s facility MedStar Capitals Iceplex taking part in preliminary skates.

As for the preliminary talks, those will come right at the beginning of September when MacLellan returns from his summer home in Minnesota.

MacLellan noted he is willing to listen and hear out both sides and what each player wants in…