Sam Hallam was hoping for solid star reinforcement in the form of Nicklas Bäckström.
But now comes the news.
– Unfortunately, he says.
Usually, it is not even possible to dream that Nicklas Bäckström will put on the Tre Kronor jersey and play in the World Cup in the spring. The Washington Capitals have been a giant in the NHL for many years, which means that Bäckis is increasingly playing in the playoffs at the same time as the World Cup.
Dream name for the WC
But Bäckström has been injured for much of the season, and the Washington Capitals have underperformed. Big star Alexander Ovechkin has been just as good as we are used to, but beyond that it has been a season full of disappointments. And it was weeks ago that it became clear that there would be no playoffs for the Capitals.
It made many dream of World Cup games for Nicklas Bäckström, not least the national team captain Sam Hallam. What spoke against it is that Bäckström underwent a serious operation in his hip, which kept him out until January, and it is very true that in the end Bäckis makes his final decision. For Aftonbladet, the star now confirms that he will turn down WC games in the spring.
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That’s why he nods
Bäckström says that he had hopes of playing, but that in the end he realized that it is more important to build up his hip.
– It would have been so much fun, but unfortunately, he says, and continues:
– I have to strengthen my leg more and have a good summer.
However, there are hopes for other stars in Tre Kronor. Rasmus Dahlin may well miss the playoffs, and it has long been clear that Erik Karlsson and Elias Pettersson, who both reached 100 points this season, will not play in any playoffs.
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