Washington Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom has been assigned to the injured non-roster list as NHL teams finalize their initial 23-man rosters for the season.
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.
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 assigned forwards Connor McMichael and Beck Malenstyn to 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 Wednesday.
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