Nicklas Backstrom underwent hip surgery this summer that will force him to miss the start of the campaign, but for the Washington Capitals forward, it was a necessary evil.
Backstrom’s hip troubles are nothing new. A first operation, eight years ago, gave him a few years of respite, but the condition of his hip then deteriorated little by little. A second operation thus became necessary since the pain and loss of mobility became unbearable.
“I had difficulty walking,” Backstrom explained in an interview with the Swedish daily “Expressen” published on Sunday. [C’était] difficult to put on my socks and tie my shoes. It was generally frustrating, to be honest.”
“It’s not fun to walk in pain. The family took the hit. I couldn’t even play with the children. It was very difficult.”
Less mobile
Still, those struggles didn’t stop Backstrom from playing last season. If these hip problems were less disabling when he put on the skates, he could not give the desired performance on the ice.
He was limited to six goals and 31 points in 47 regular season games, then he added two goals and six points in as many outings during the playoffs. But all the matches were difficult.
“Last year I missed a lot of games. I tried to come back after a few rehabilitation sessions, but it was not [suffisant]. I lacked mobility, it hurt when I pushed and I lost both speed and balance,” he said.
Postpone the inevitable
Now 35, Backstrom is well aware that retirement awaits him, especially if his hip doesn’t react in the right way. But he hopes to be able to postpone the day when he hangs up his skates at the latest.
“If I feel good, I will continue [à jouer] for years. I’m going to play hockey until my body gives up on me.”
Backstrom has amassed 264 goals and 1,011 points in 1,058 games since making his debut in 2007-08. As for the rest, no timetable has been established, but the process of getting back into shape will be long.