The Washington star has suffered major hip problems in recent years and missed, among other things, the start of the previous ice hockey season. To overcome the problems, the 35-year-old went to Belgium this summer to lie on the operating table.
At the time, in June 2022, no clear forecast could be given for when Bäckström would be back, but now it is close.
— It feels great. It’s fun to be back on the ice. We have been working hard the last few weeks and it feels good. Now it’s just about rehearsal, skating and things like that, says Nicklas Bäckström nhl.com.
“Won’t Take Long”
Washington coach Peter Laviolette says that both Bäckstrom and Tom Wilson, who had knee surgery last spring, could be back soon.
— It’s close for both of them. They are out on the ice and train hard every day. They’re not coming with us on the upcoming road trip but it’s close, I don’t think it’ll be long,” said Laviolette.
The type of hip operation that Bäckström underwent – where the patient receives a so-called surface replacement prosthesis – is far from a safe solution. Of the NHL players who previously had the procedure, only one, defender Ed Jovanovski, was able to return to play, writes nhl.com. For example, Anaheim’s Ryan Kesler, who had surgery on both hips in 2019 and 2020, never returned. And for the aforementioned Jovanovski, it ended up being just 37 more games in his career before he too was forced to retire.
Cheered on by Andy Murray
However, there are positive examples. Tennis star Andy Murray and NBA player Isaiah Thomas are two who have returned at the highest level after the procedure.
— I have spoken to some guys who have come back to the sport: Andy Murray, Isaiah Thomas and some who play hockey in the top league in Sweden. All have had positive experiences. It is of course nice to hear, said Nicklas Bäckström in an interview with NBC Sports in September.
When the Swedish star center does make a comeback, he does so in a team with a tailwind. Washington has scored in eight straight games.
— When the team plays this well, it might be to my advantage, says Bäckström to nhl.com.
— My teammates will help me get into it during the first games when I’m back. But I’m not going to go in and change a lot of things, I’m just going to try to get on the team and win hockey games.