The Washington Capitals could be without the services of star center Nicklas Backstrom to start the 2015-16 NHL season. Backstrom, speaking recently with Arbetarbladet's Daniel Sandstrom (h/t to The Hockey News for the translation), Backstrom revealed that he isn't sure whether he'll be ready for the Caps season opener on Oct. 10 after undoing arthroscopic hip surgery earlier this offseason.
"No, I do not (know)," Backstrom said, via Sandstrom. "It is very difficult to answer. We will see here now (after evaluating) with the coach and fitness coach."
News of Backstrom's surgery, dubbed at the time "minimally invasive," was reported in late May. The team released a statement at the time indicating that they believed Backstrom, who didn't miss a game for the sixth time in his career, would be ready for the start of the 2015-16 campaign.
"Based on the nature of this procedure we are confident that Nick will be completely healthy prior to the start of the 2015-16 regular season," the Caps statement said.
Through Sandstrom, Backstrom revealed that he's focusing post-surgery on regaining full mobility, indicating that immediately after the procedure he was struggling with even small movements and that he wasn't able to return the ice until very recently.
"There has been considerable focus on enhancing mobility in the hip again," Backstrom said. "From the beginning I could not run or anything."
While it likely means little in the long run as few NHL players make it through a campaign without several bumps, bruises or body parts in need of surgical repair, there's no denying the integral nature of Backstrom's contributions for the Stanley Cup-hopeful Capitals.
Last season, en route to helping the Caps reach the second round of the playoffs, Backstrom netted 18 goals and 78 points. He ranked first on the Capitals with 1.96 points per 60 minutes at even strength and added eight points during Washington's postseason run.
