#to guys who haven't been there long like strome and even pacioretty

[lafragolina]

just kill me

#this whole article is bad but this was the WORST #not even for the reason you think (819 reasons) #Eliza you've already heard this rant but #if I can be way too sincere and long-winded for a moment #'always if I ask him something he helps' #how many quotes do we have from teammates over the years saying that exact thing #michael latta saying 'it doesn't matter if you're a top pair dman or a 4th line peasant; he'll do anything to help you' #christian djoos saying 'he's always there for you no matter what time or place. if something's up he's always there' #HHA saying recently nicke gave him his number and told him 'if you need anything just call me and I can help you' #carly in that interview when this was announced saying how nicke has been the support for everyone in that locker room from himself and osh #to guys who haven't been there long like strome and even pacioretty #I know holts and batya and andre and rasmus and jojo and tj and tom and karl alzner have all said stuff like this too #and that's just who I can think of off the top of my head #like. that's it. that's nicke. #if you ask him something. he helps. #for such an amazing athlete. for such a crucial part of making hockey A Thing in DC. #what his teammates want to talk about is his kindness #and that speaks so highly of him and is so genuinely admirable to me and worth aspiring to #I don't want to put anyone on a pedestal because we don't know these guys #but like. in terms of impact. nicke really genuinely made me try to be a better more thoughtful more actively outreaching friend #because I saw the way his teammates talked about him and that's how I want to be thought of. #I want people to know I'll be there for them. & not that I haven't been willing to do that but I've been more active about offering it #and part of that genuinely is because of his example #there's a million other things about his kindness I could mention before I even get to his hockey but this has already gone on far too long #so anyway #he is so dear to me #I hope he is happy and healthy #and that he knows how loved he is #nicklas backstrom #hockey