Nicklas Backstrom's playing future to be decided this Fall

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Cooper Godin
June 2, 2023 (12:04)

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In January of this year, Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom returned to action, seven months after undergoing a surgery for hip resurfacing and decided to do so to improve his quality of life.

Backstrom skated in a total of 39 games last year, recording 21 points, but it's unclear how his hip will respond this summer as the Capitals missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2014.

While introducing the team's new head coach, Spencer Carbery, to the media on Thursday, general manager Brian MacLellan said that they will make a decision on Backstrom's career during training camp.

"We've had a couple conversations about where he is health-wise," MacLellan said. "I think he's deserved a chance to see what he can do in the offseason and come into camp and see where he's at health-wise. It's a major surgery, so I don't know that anybody knows exactly where he's going to be."

The 36-year-old is Washington's franchise leader in assists with 761 and was selected by the organization with the fourth overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Backstrom has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $9.2 million and a modified no-trade clause. If it's determined that Backstrom is unable to play next season and continue his playing career, there's a very good chance that the Capitals will place the 16-year NHL veteran on long-term injured reserve.