Capitals GM MacLellan Offers Latest On Nicklas Backstrom, Expects Things To Remain Status Quo

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are entering an uncertain offseason with several questions, one of which continues to be what's next for Nicklas Backstrom.

For general manager Brian MacLellan, not much has changed on that front, as the team doesn't have much clarity on the Swedish center's plans going forward.

"I don't know, we'll see," MacLellan said.

Backstrom stepped away from hockey on Nov. 1, 2023, taking an indefinite leave of absence with his hip not responding as he'd hoped following hip resurfacing surgery in June 2022.

Since then, he has remained on the long-term injured reserve, and that is likely how things will remain going into 2024-25, which is the last year of Backstrom's contract.

Related: Capitals' T.J. Oshie Opens Up About Back Issues That Leave Him 'Literally On The Floor,' Wild Prep To Keep Playing & His NHL Future

With Backstrom's $9.2 million cap hit relieved, MacLellan expects to have more flexibility to continue to work with this offseason, which he said he plans to use to address needs like offense. There could also be more space if T.J. Oshie ends up in a similar situation with his future hanging in the balance.

"I think we have more flexibility going forward here. We'll see what the market is," MacLellan said.

In eight games this season before leaving the team, Backstrom put up one assist. In 1,105 NHL games over 17 seasons, he has 1,033 points.

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Alex Ovechkin also noted that losing Backstrom was among the factors that made 2023-24 one of the more challenging seasons of his career.

"In training camp, you thought like, ‘Wow, we’re going to have Kuzy, Backy, Stromer, three centers who can create something from nothing.' But, Backy take a step back because of his injury...it’s always a business and you always support the players," Ovechkin said, adding, "It was just a period of time where you try to find the way to, ‘OK, what do I have to do to get better on the ice? What do I have to do to find the game?’”