Nicklas Backstrom News

Last week, Backstrom announced he would "step away from the game" indefinitely as he takes time to focus on his health and has now been placed on the LTIR. In 2022, Backstrom had hip resurfacing surgery that forced him to miss the majority of the 2022-23 season. The 35-year-old Sweedish center iceman has played 1105 career games, all with the Washington Capitals, registering 1033 points (271G / 762A), but has only scored 22 points (7G / 15A) in 47 games since his surgery, a 0.47 point-per-game pace, down significantly from the 0.96 pace he had prior.

Last week, Backstrom announced he would "step away from the game" indefinitely as he takes time to focus on his health. In 2022, Backstrom had hip resurfacing surgery that forced him to miss the majority of the 2022-23 season. The 35-year-old Sweedish center iceman has played 1105 career games, all with the Washington Capitals, registering 1033 points (271G / 762A), but has only scored 22 points (7G / 15A) in 47 games since his surgery, a 0.47 point-per-game pace, down significantly from the 0.96 pace he had prior.

Backstrom has announced he will "step away from the game" indefinitely as he takes time to focus on his health. In 2022, Backstrom had hip resurfacing surgery that forced him to miss the majority of the 2022-23 season. The 35-year-old Sweedish center iceman has played 1105 career games, all with the Washington Capitals, registering 1033 points (271G / 762A), but has only scored 22 points (7G / 15A) in 47 games since his surgery, a 0.47 point-per-game pace, down significantly from the 0.96 pace he had prior.

Backstrom missed 43 games in 2022-23 after having hip resurfacing surgery but says he feels 100% and ready for the start of the Capitals' training camp and is ready to go. The 35-year-old centre had seven goals, 14 assists, 14 PIMs, 59 SOG, and a -25 plus/minus in 39 games in 2022-23 before being placed on the shelf in mid-April. He will hope to continue to make an impact with the Capitals as he enters his 17th NHL season and has 271 goals and 1032 points across 1097 career games played.

It was expected that Backstrom would start the season on LTIR and it's unclear if he will be back at all this season.

Backstrom sat out the second half of a back-to-back on the weekend but will be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Backstrom will replace Connor McMichael in the lineup and will be back on the second line and top power-play unit.

Backstrom has missed the last three games with a non-COVID illness but both he and T.J. Oshie are expected to be back in the lineup on Monday. Backstrom has registered three assists in three games this season.

Both Backstrom and TJ Oshie have been sidelined by a non-COVID illness and did not accompany the team on their two-game road trip. Moving them to IR simply creates roster spots to bring up reinforcements--they'll be eligible to be activated and play when the Capitals return home to face the Bruins on Monday.

Backstrom missed the last two games while in COVID-19 protocol but is expected to play tonight vs. the Predators. Backstrom, who had one assist and five shots on goal in his season debut is expected to skate on the second line with T.J. Oshie and Conor Sheary.

The good news for the Capitals is that Backstrom will make his season debut on Wednesday. The bad news is that they will be without Evgeny Kuznetsov, who was added to the COVID-19 protocol list. With Kuznetsov out, Backstrom may centre the top line next to Alex Ovechkin. Backstrom had 15 goals and 38 assists (53 points) in 55 games a season ago.

Backstrom has missed the first 28 games of the season but could be back Wednesday vs. the Blackhawks. Backstrom practiced on the second line and top power-play unit on Monday but head coach Peter Laviolette could not confirm that he would be available for his season debut on Wednesday.

Backstrom has begun skating but head coach Peter Laviolette said that he is in the "beginning" of the rehab process, suggesting that he is still far from a season debut. Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre are expected to continue to fill the hole left by Backstrom's injury.

The Capitals did not provide much clarity on the severity of Backstrom's injury during the preseason but announced on Tuesday that he will be moved to LTIR. The move will keep him out for at least 10 games or 24 days. Hendrix Lapierre appears to be the front runner to replace him down the middle to open the season.