(Arlington) Nicklas Backstrom can no longer talk about the surgery he underwent on his left hip.
The Swede began Washington Capitals training camp by declaring that he feels “a lot better” after an unsurprising summer of training, and different – in a good way – from last year when he was still recovering from hip resurfacing surgery.
Only one other player has managed to return to the NHL after such surgery, and Patrick Kane is trying to become the third to do so. Backstrom, who turns 36 in November, reiterated that the long rehabilitation process and the injury that affected him for a very long time are now behind him.
“I don’t have anything else to say,” Backstrom said. I’m 100%. I did everything I could to prepare for this summer. I worked very hard and I was very excited to be here at camp. I love this team, I love this city and I love its fans. There is nothing that makes me happier than being back and being able to play hockey. »
The Capitals are hoping that Backstrom can return to his former level of play, especially considering that Evgeny Kuznetsov, who is coming off a disappointing season, is the subject of trade rumors. Otherwise, the Caps could have difficulty making the playoffs.
New head coach Spencer Carbery is satisfied with Backstrom’s performance so far in camp, even if he admitted that the Swede will not be able to reverse the effects of time.
“I truly believe that he will be a centerpiece of our group and that he will be able to play at a very high level,” Carbery said. Will this be the Nicklas Backstrom of 10 years ago? Do I believe it? No. But I believe he can be a very, very effective player on this team – a winning team. »
The team from the American federal capital has missed the spring dance only twice since Backstrom arrived in the league in 2007: in 2014, which set the table for numerous internal changes that led to winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, and last year, when he had to wait until January before returning to the game.
Over the past two seasons, and after returning to action, Backstrom has amassed a total of 52 points in 86 games – one shy of his total in 55 games in 2021.