Nicklas Bäckström continues his preparations for the SHL opener on Saturday. On Tuesday, the SHL held its annual media day, where Bäckström was in the spotlight.
He hasn’t played in the league since the spring of 2007. Much has changed since then, and many are eager to see him lace up his skates in the SHL once again. Below is an interview conducted by Hockeysverige.se editor-in-chief Måns Karlsson with the former Capitals star during the SHL media day. The original interview in Swedish can be found here.
Welcome back to Sweden. How does it feel to be an SHL player again?
“It feels good. It’s fun to be back. I’m really excited about the season.”
Many players have returned to the SHL after storied careers in the NHL, but the results haven’t always been successful. In 2024–25, fellow Brynäs player Jakob Silfverberg came back from the NHL, where he had spent most of his career with the Anaheim Ducks. Silfverberg ended up receiving the SHL regular-season MVP award after scoring 23 goals and recording 47 points in 52 games. This season, Bäckström hopes to replicate Silfverberg’s success in the Brynäs jersey.
We saw that you were predicted to be the league MVP (by the SHL media). Last year, we stood here with almost the exact same topic but with another returning player, Jakob Silfverberg. He lived up to the hype, was named MVP, and finished top five in both goals and points. How do you feel about the expectations placed on you?
“It’s of course difficult to put into words where I am as a hockey player. But right now, I’m focused on doing my best and helping Brynäs be as good as possible. It’s going to be fun.”
Now that you’ve had a preseason and a few competitive games, how do you feel about where you are? How does everything feel?
“It feels good. We’ve also played some Champions Hockey League games, which have been really useful against strong teams. It feels good. It’s just about building from here.”
What has been the biggest challenge?
“I think… I’d probably say the slightly different systems. And the ice is bigger. You kind of have to relearn how you once played hockey when you were younger. Those are the things that take a little time, but overall it’s been a lot of fun.”
Has it been harder than you expected to adjust back to your old style of hockey?
“Yeah, in the NHL the game is more straightforward and of course there’s less space. Here, you have a little more time and also a bit more skating.”
When asked about his style of play and how it would suit the SHL, Bäckström responded briefly but effectively, as he so often does.
With more time on the ice, it seems like that should suit your style of play; looking for passing lanes and making those kinds of plays.
“Hopefully.”
How much did it influence your decision to come home? Brynäs has had some strong returning players in recent years. Was that something you considered in your decision?
“Yeah, if you look at Brynäs’ journey over the past two years, when they were relegated and then came back, they’ve built something really strong. It felt like the whole city, not just the players, jumped on board. There’s a real positive energy in both the city and the team. That definitely had a big influence.”
That different atmosphere and sense in the city, were you able to feel that even from Washington?
“Yes, I followed them on TV during the playoffs and so on, both in HockeyAllsvenskan and in last year’s SHL final. Yeah, you could definitely feel it.”
This is probably a question that has to be asked, but we’ll see what your answer is. Are you the final piece Brynäs needs to take the last step and actually go all the way?
“I think every new player who comes in will be incredibly important. But like I said, they’ve had a good start and were in the SHL final last year. It’s about building on that and trying to get better every day. I think that question will have to remain unanswered for now.”