Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom may have only played eight games in the 2023-2024 season, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of his career.
On Monday, general manager Brian MacLellan said it was “unlikely” the 35-year-old veteran would play again this season. The Washington Post newspaper reported on the CEO’s comments.
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Backstrom decided to take a break from hockey last week without clearly saying what awaits him in the longer term. The Swede has suffered several injuries and operations in recent years. The forward went under the knife for hip surgery last year and was forced to miss the first 42 games of the 2022-23 season. Last year he also missed the first 28 games of the regular schedule.
Many even wonder whether Alexander Ovechkin’s loyal accomplice will one day be able to put on skates again in the National League.
“It’s a difficult decision, but I believe that making it now is the right decision for my health. “I would like to thank my teammates, the organization and the fans for their unconditional support throughout this process,” Backstrom said in a press release from his team last Wednesday.
This year the hockey player was happy with one assist, while the difference was -3. He has 1,033 points in 1,105 games this season on the Bettman circuit.