Nicklas Backstrom just recently celebrated his 37th birthday on Nov. 23. Having served as a center and an alternate captain throughout Alex Ovechkin's chase at NHL history, he's had a front row seat to prime Ovi's best moments as the Washington Capitals captain racked up milestone after milestone. But Backy had some milestones himself.
Backstrom will always be known around these parts for his elite playmaking abilities and the league's most skilled assist man. Since the 2013-14 campaign, he began a streak of six consecutive 50 assist seasons, one of only 26 players to accomplsih this feat. He is the Cpas all time leader in assists and is second in all time franchise points behind none other than the Great Eight himself.
Backstrom and the Great Eight hoised the Cup together in Vegas on June 7, 2018 in a five game series win over the Golden Knights. In 2022, Backstrom achieved the elite 1,000th point milestone.
On June 18 of that year though Backstrom's world would change forever as he undergone hip resurfacing surgery at the start of that season. He eventually made his return on Jan. 8, 2023 and played in 39 of the team's remaining 40 games. His return was not enough to save the season back then as the Caps missing the playoffs for only the second time since 2007.
Prior to last season, Backstrom was confident he'd return stronger than ever but after eight games he informed the rest of the team that his hip wasn't responding properly. He made the decison then to step away from the game at the beginning of November 2023. He hasn't appeared in a game since. Backstrom had one point through six games in that dismal start of the season averaging just 14:33 minutes of ice time per game.
Here's the list of injuries from recent to past courtesy of Fox Sports:
1/1/23 Hip
1/24/23 Illness
6/1/22 Hip
4/10/22 Maintenance
1/7/22 Illness
9/23/21 Hip
5/8/21 Lower Body
8/12/20 Concussion
11/20/19 Upper Body
5/5/18 Upper body injury
10/26/17 Illness.
Backstrom would say in the aftermath of annoucing his decision to step away from the game in a team statement:
"Given my ongoing injury situation, I decided to take some time and step away from the game. 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 organizations 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. "Nicklas Backstrom in a team statement
There's no telling when or if at this time if Backstrom can return. But at least he's still around the team like T.J. Oshie for good vibes. Now Alex Ovechkin is watching from affar with them as he deals with an injury of his own.