ARLINGTON, Va. — Nicklas Backstrom is sick and bored with speaking about his surgically repaired left hip.
The Swedish middle opened Washington Capitals camp saying he feels “way better” after a traditional summer season of coaching and totally different – in a great way – than a yr in the past when he was nonetheless recovering from his hip resurfacing operation.
Only one different participant in NHL historical past beforehand got here again from hip resurfacing, and Patrick Kane is aiming to be the third. Backstrom, who turns 36 in November, insists the whole course of and the harm that nagged him for fairly a while is behind him and he’s again to regular.
“I got nothing more to say about it,” Backstrom stated. “I mean, I’m 100%. I’ve done everything I can this summer. I worked really hard and really excited to be here for 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.”
With questions already about Evgeny Kuznetsov coming off a disappointing season and being the topic of commerce talks, the Capitals hope Backstrom can return to taking part in at a excessive degree. If not, they’re in bother of their try and return to the playoffs.
Captain and longtime teammate Alex Ovechkin believes Backstrom is in fine condition and “ready for the year.” New coach Spencer Carbery likes what he sees to date, even whereas acknowledging Backstrom received’t simply flip again the clock to the beginning of his prime.
“I’m very hopeful and optimistic that he’s going to be a massive part of our group and be able to play at a high level,” Carbery stated. “Is he going to be the Nick Backstrom from 10 years ago? Do I have any illusions of that? No. But I also think he can be a very, very effective player on our team – on a winning team.”
Washington has solely missed the playoffs twice since Backstrom made his NHL debut in 2007: in 2014, sparking entrance workplace and training modifications that paved the best way to the 2018 Stanley Cup run, after which final season, when he didn’t play till January.
Over the previous two years gutting by means of and getting back from the harm, Backstrom recorded a complete of 52 factors in 86 video games – one fewer than he had in 55 video games in 2021.
Defenseman John Carlson, who was out from Dec. 23-March 23 after taking a slap shot to the face, empathizes with Backstrom attempting to ramp up once more after the surgical procedure.
“He’s had a tough shake the last few years,” Carlson stated. “It’s difficult to come back and find your game right away. So he’s been doing that for the last two years and now he got the end of the season and the summer and I’m sure it will be completely different.”
General supervisor Brian MacLellan after final season stated Backstrom was “going to have to make a decision on his career where he thinks he’s at.” There was by no means any indication on Backstrom’s finish that he was contemplating retirement, and he deferred these inquiries to MacLellan.
“I’m just going control the things that I can, be as prepared as possible and I’m excited,” Backstrom stated. “I really am.”
The Capitals appear cautiously optimistic, although the following step Carbery and MacLellan have to see is Backstrom getting by means of preseason after which regular-season recreation motion.
“He had a really good offseason,” MacLellan stated. “It’ll be how he progresses here through camp, through exhibition games and into the season. I think it’s all positive right now.”
NOTES: The crew introduced Wednesday that defenseman Joel Edmundson had surgical procedure to stabilize a fractured hand and is predicted to be out 4 -6 weeks. Edmundson was injured within the Capitals’ scrimmage Sunday. His absence opens the door for Alexander Alexeyev, Vincent Iorio, Hardy Haman Aktell or Lucas Johansen to earn a spot within the opening night time lineup. … Carbery stated there’s nonetheless no timetable for winger Max Pacioretty to make his Capitals debut after re-tearing his proper Achilles tendon in January.
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