Washington Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom has been placed on long-term injured reserve as NHL teams finalize their initial 23-man rosters for the season. He will miss a minimum of 10 games.
#Caps place center Nicklas Backstrom on long-term injury list and recall forwards Connor McMichael and Beck Malenstyn from the Hershey Bears (AHL).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 12, 2021
Backstrom did not take the ice during training camp with a lingering hip issue that was a carry-over from last season.
“There’s a process that you go through, you start to see guys on the ice. He was week-to-week and we’re pushing towards the end of what we said and I think we’re still evaluating him to see where he’s at,” head coach Peter Laviolette said Monday, adding that Backstrom’s condition is improving.
Hear from Head Coach Laviolette who spoke with the media earlier this afternoon to provide updates on the statuses of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, plus more.#ALLCAPS | @Socios pic.twitter.com/oCyw5GGun7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 11, 2021
Backstrom, who turns 34 in November, is entering his 15th season with the Capitals and the second year of a five-year, $46-million contract. He had 15 goals and 53 points in 55 games last season.
In other roster moves, the Capitals recalled forwards Connor McMichael and Beck Malenstyn from the AHL’s Hershey Bears. The team will announce its initial 23-man roster on Tuesday and open the season at home against the New York Rangers on Wednesday.
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