NHL veteran looks to return to hometown to continue career
Photo credit: RMNB
The Washington Capitals will be forced to rebuild as attrition tears through the ranks of the storied veteran core.
Keep in mind, Brian MacLellan planned for a re-tool with the team, but with the latest news of Nicklas Backstrom's future in Washington gone, Plan C will have to commence.
It seems as if, with Nicklas Backstrom's career in the NHL ending he will look to return to Sweden to continue his hockey career.
Backstrom who has played all 1,105 NHL games with the Washington Capitals could return to his hometown Byrnas IF in the SHL to play professional hockey until retirement, according to Expressen.
Backstrom announced he was stepping away from hockey on November 1st, 2023, and was placed on the Capitals LTIR.
Backstrom is still on the team's books, as he signed a 5-year deal in 2020, with a cap hit of $9.2 Million dollars, with 1 year left on the deal.
He only played in 8 games during the 2023-2024 regular NHL seas and was unable to return to form after his surgery.
Backstrom has one more year left on his contract at a cap hit of $9.2 million, and the plan is for him to remain on long-term injured reserve for that final year, according to general manager Brian MacLellan.
The Swede has not made any decisions regarding next steps at this time, nor has he officially said he is retiring.
Backstrom has not spoken to local media since taking his leave. He leaves behind a monumental legacy in D.C., where he put up 271 goals and 762 assists for 1,033 points in 1,105 games.
The Swede has not made any decisions regarding next steps at this time, nor has he officially said he is retiring.
Backstrom has not spoken to local media since taking his leave. He leaves behind a monumental legacy in D.C., where he put up 271 goals and 762 assists for 1,033 points in 1,105 games.
| POLL | ||
MAI 17 | 180 ANSWERS NHL veteran looks to return to hometown to continue career Do you think Nicklas Backstrom returns to Sweden to play in the SHL? | ||
| Yes | 135 | 75 % |
| No | 45 | 25 % |
| List of polls | ||
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