Nicklas Backstrom

Brian MacLellan seems to suggest Nicklas Backstrom is done playing: ‘He made a decision and that’s the way he’s going out’

The Washington Capitals announced center Nicklas Backstrom would be taking a leave of absence from the team over two weeks ago.

Since then, the Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan stated that Backstrom is “unlikely” to play again this season and placed the legendary pivot on long-term injured reserve.

While MacLellan and the Capitals were initially careful with speaking in definites about the future of Backstrom’s career, that appeared to change on Tuesday. MacLellan called in to Jeff Marek’s weekly podcast show and made it pretty clear that he thinks Backstrom’s career in the NHL is over.

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By Chris Cerullo 2 weeks ago

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Capitals recall forward Mike Sgarbossa from Hershey Bears, place Nicklas Backstrom on LTIR

The Washington Capitals announced on Wednesday morning that they have recalled forward Mike Sgarbossa from the AHL-leading Hershey Bears. Sgarbossa, Hershey’s leading point scorer, makes his way to DC ahead of the Capitals’ game against the Florida Panthers after Evgeny Kuznetsov missed a second day of practice on Tuesday with an illness.

Head coach Spencer Carbery hinted after Tuesday’s skate that a recall could be coming when he was asked about Kuznetsov’s status. In addition to Sgarbossa joining the big club’s roster, the Capitals have also made the expected move of placing Nicklas Backstrom on long-term injured reserve.

Backstrom is just days removed from announcing that he’d be taking a leave of absence from the team due to his ongoing hip injury issues. The LTIR designation frees up his roster spot and gives the Capitals a major salary cap break.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 weeks ago

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Brian MacLellan says Nicklas Backstrom ‘unlikely’ to play again this season

The Washington Capitals announced on Wednesday that Nicklas Backstrom was taking a leave of absence from the team due to lingering issues with his hip.

“Given my ongoing injury situation, I decided to take some time and step away from the game,” Backstrom said in a statement. “This is a difficult decision, but one that I feel is right for my health at this time. I want to thank my teammates, the organization, and fans for their unwavering support throughout this process. I ask for privacy at this time as I determine my next steps and viable options moving forward.”

Monday, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan spoke to the press, seeking to clarify some of the questions surrounding the muddied situation. For instance, Backstrom is not expected to play again this season.

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By Ian Oland 4 weeks ago

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Elliotte Friedman on Nicklas Backstrom situation: ‘I think behind the scenes, this has been very hard for both player and organization’

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered his first reporting and opinions on the Nicklas Backstrom situation during Friday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast. Backstrom, earlier in the week, announced that he would be stepping away from the Capitals due to his lingering hip issues, but would not be retiring.

The Sportsnet commentator thinks that behind the scenes the Backstrom situation has been difficult due to the context for both player and team. Friedman said that the organization loves the Swedish center. “He is going to get his number retired in Washington” and will be a “Capital forever,” Friedman said. “He’s going to have a shot at the Hall of Fame. I think you could argue, he’s the second-most important player in Capitals’ history.”

But Friedman also believes the team sees the writing on the wall, but Backstrom may not yet, creating a really difficult situation. “They know how much he cares,” Friedman said. “It’s hard. I think he wants to be Nick Backstrom. It’s not Nick Backstrom anymore.”

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By Ian Oland 1 month ago

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John Carlson tries to come to terms with Nicklas Backstrom’s leave of absence: ‘It feels weird to me. I’ve never been here without him.’

John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom are two of the closest friends on the Washington Capitals. The two veterans have been teammates since Carlson joined the team for the latter half of the 2009-10 season.

Backstrom announced on Wednesday that he’ll be taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team to try and deal with his ongoing hip injury issues. The legendary center personally let the team know before their practice and the news seemed to come as a bit of a shock to the locker room.

Carlson tried his best to explain that jarring atmosphere in his post-practice media availability.

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By Chris Cerullo 1 month ago

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Alex Ovechkin on Nicklas Backstrom stepping away from team: ‘It’s hard as a friend to see what’s happening right now’

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin met with assembled media after practice on Wednesday just hours after it was announced that his long-time running mate Nicklas Backstrom would be taking a leave of absence from the team due to ongoing injury issues.

Inside an emotional Capitals locker room, Backstrom’s teammate and close friend since 2007, spoke quietly and somberly about the situation. The Great Eight reflected on Backstrom’s tumultuous injury journey and what the legendary center has meant to the organization they’ve both called home for so many years.

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By Chris Cerullo 1 month ago

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Capitals debut first set of forward lines after news of Nicklas Backstrom’s leave of absence

The Washington Capitals took the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday for the first time without Nicklas Backstrom this season. Backstrom, one of the team’s alternate captains, announced earlier in the day that he would be taking a leave of absence from the team due to his ongoing hip injury issues.

Given that sad news, a lineup spot down the middle of the ice has opened up and the NHL schedule does not stop so it needs to be filled.

Head coach Spencer Carbery gave the first indication of who could take that spot at practice on Monday, Connor McMichael, and followed that up with a full set of lines on Wednesday that left no further questions about the young forward’s involvement.

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By Chris Cerullo 1 month ago

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Nicklas Backstrom to take leave of absence due to injury

ARLINGTON, VA — Nicklas Backstrom and the Washington Capitals announced on Wednesday that the long-time, star center will be stepping away from the team due to ongoing injury issues. Backstrom missed a large part of the 2022-23 campaign recovering from hip resurfacing surgery.

Both Backstrom and general manager Brian MacLellan prepared written statements released by the Capitals.

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By Katie Adler and Chris Cerullo 1 month ago

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Connor McMichael splits practice reps with Nicklas Backstrom at center as Capitals want McMike to ‘stay sharp’ for future opportunities

The Washington Capitals took to the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Monday for practice after securing their first three-game winning streak since December of last season. Given the team’s recent success, head coach Spencer Carbery didn’t tinker with his lines or defense pairings much.

However, there was one very interesting wrinkle. Connor McMichael, who has played left wing exclusively in the team’s first eight games, lined up at his natural center position on the third line. There, he split drill reps with Nicklas Backstrom.

Carbery was asked after practice what the idea is behind the move. The rookie bench boss didn’t mention Backstrom in his response.

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By Chris Cerullo 1 month ago

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Capitals spend time with children from local cancer charities at post-practice Hockey Fights Cancer Skate

The Washington Capitals had some new additions to the team on Saturday as they hosted their annual Hockey Fights Cancer skate. Following the conclusion of practice, children from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Mid-Atlantic Region, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, Horizon Day Camp, and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network all joined the team out on the ice.

Smiles and laughter abounded at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, whether participants were brand-new skaters, more experienced, or had even attended prior events.

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By Katie Adler 1 month ago

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