NHL.com's Tom Gulitti reported that general manager Brian MacLellan believes that Nicklas Backstrom deserves a chance to show what he can do at Capitals training camp.
Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom had pulled off what some thought to be impossible last season, returning to full-time NHL action after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery. And while it wasn't the cleanest comeback, Backstrom said confidently on breakdown day that a full offseason of training would work wonders. General manager Brian MacLellan wasn't exactly sold then, but now, he's changed his tune.
NHL.com's Tom Gulitti spoke with MacLellan on Thursday, and the GM stepped back on his comments about Backstrom needing to make a decision on his future and said that the 35-year-old will be back for Washington in 2022-23, barring any setbacks over the summer.
"We've had a couple conversations about where he is health-wise. 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," MacLellan told Gulitti. "It's a major surgery, so I don't know that anybody knows exactly where he's going to be."
MacLellan was somewhat blunt when asked about Backstrom's performance following hip resurfacing, as he said he saw "marginal" improvement but wasn't sure if Backstrom was going to progress much further.
"That's a major surgery," MacLellan said back in April. "I think it's frustrating in that I don't know how much better does it get? I haven't seen any other players do it, recover and get back to the level they thought they were at before. I don't know where that ends up with the offseason training. He's going to have to make a decision on his career where he thinks he's at."
In 35 games this season, Backstrom picked up 21 points. While he lacked speed and struggled at times, he appeared to start to get into a rhythm and showed that he can still be at least a 40-plus point player and key playmaker on the man advantage.
Backstrom said back on breakdown day that he will be focusing on regaining full strength in his left leg, and in turn, that should lead to stronger skating and a better performance on the ice.
"The progress has been better, I mean, better and better," Backstrom said. "Obviously, it's not ideal to come in midseason with a big surgery like that and you missed a lot and you're trying to catch up. It's not ideal, but I'm optimistic about next year. IHave a good summer, the first really good summer in a couple years, and be ready at training camp and be a part of that. That's what I'm looking forward to."