Nicklas Backstrom Stats
- Height / Weight
- 73 / 202 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- 11/23/1987 (36)
Career Stats
Nicklas Backstrom Last 10 Games
Nicklas Backstrom News
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is unlikely to return to action this season, according to general manager Brian MacLellan. Backstrom announced he is taking a leave from the team to address ongoing health issues last week. The veteran pivot underwent hip resurfacing surgery in June of 2022 and returned to skate in just 39 games last season, tallying seven goals and 21 points with a minus-25 rating in that time. The Sweden native has recorded just one assist and 12 shots on goal through eight games so far this season. It appears Backstrom's career could be in jeopardy as the 35-year-old has plenty of wear and tear already on his body after skating in 1,105 career regular-season games and an additional 139 postseason contests.
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom will take a step back from hockey and focus on his health amidst ongoing injury concerns, according to a statement released by Backstrom and the Capitals. The 35-year-old has been one of the best passers in the game when healthy, but unfortunately he hasn't been able to stay on the ice for several years. If this is the end for Alex Ovechkin's longtime centerman, it spells the end of a terrific career. Backstrom has 1033 points in 1105 NHL games, ranking him sixth among active NHLers. With Backstrom taking some time off, Dylan Strome should remain in his role as top-line and first powerplay center, where he should provide decent points with Ovechkin beside him.
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom wants to leave his hip issues behind him and says he's fully healthy ahead of the new campaign. "I've got nothing more to say about it," Backstrom said. "I'm 100 percent. I've done everything I can this summer. I worked really hard and really excited to be here for the training camp. Love this team, love this city, love the fans. There's nothing I'm more excited about than going back and playing hockey." Backstrom was reportedly able to normally train during the offseason for the first time in three years. The Swedish centerman has looked like a shadow of his former self in the past couple of seasons, but he appears to be ready to produce a nice comeback campaign in 2023-24.
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom potted his first goal of the season in Sunday's clash with Toronto, opening the scoring on the power play late in the first period. It was a good start to the game for Backstrom and the Capitals, but it ended in disappointment, as the Maple Leafs eventually rolled to a 5-1 victory. Backstrom finished the contest with a minus-two rating and registered two shots and two hits in 14:11 of ice time. The veteran centerman was playing in only his ninth game of the season since recovering from hip surgery. His minutes have been pretty limited on the third line, but Backstrom has been killing it with the man advantage throughout his career and showed his class again Sunday. He has tallied five points in total this season.
Washington Capitals Top Scorers
Name | G | A | PTS |
Alex Ovechkin | 31 | 34 | 65 |
Dylan Strome | 27 | 40 | 67 |
Tom Wilson | 18 | 17 | 35 |
Connor McMichael | 18 | 15 | 33 |
Sonny Milano | 15 | 8 | 23 |
T.J. Oshie | 12 | 13 | 25 |
Nic Dowd | 12 | 10 | 22 |
John Carlson | 10 | 42 | 52 |
Hendrix Lapierre | 8 | 14 | 22 |
Beck Malenstyn | 6 | 15 | 21 |