ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals will be without Nicklas Backstrom for the rest of this season, as he continues to suffer from issues stemming from his surgically repaired left hip.
“I would say it’s unlikely at this point,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said Monday. “But we’ll play it out here a little bit.”
This past Wednesday, the Capitals announced that Backstrom was taking time away from hockey because of what the 35-year-old forward called, “my ongoing injury situation.”
Backstrom had resurfacing surgery on his left hip June 17, 2022. He returned to the ice in 2022, registering 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 39 games last season.
Coming into this season's training camp, he proclaimed himself to be “100 percent” after having a full offseason to train for the first time since 2020. But last week, he had to inform MacLellan, coach Spencer Carbery, and Washington’s training staff that his hip was not responding how he would like.
He has played in eight games this season and recorded one assist.
Backstrom chose to have hip resurfacing surgery following the 2021-22 season as what he called “a last resort.”
The only previous player to return to play after the same medical procedure, was Florida Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanovski. He only played 37 games in 2013-14 before retiring.
Backstrom currently has two seasons left on a five-year, $46 million contract ($9.2 million average annual value) that he signed Jan. 14, 2020. He was placed on injured reserve last week and will eventually be placed on long-term injured reserve, which would open up salary cap space for the Capitals to make additions to roster according to MacLellan.
Carolina Goalie Andersen out indefinitely with blot clot issue
RALEIGH, N.C. — Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen is out indefinitely with a blood clotting issue.
The 34-year-old last played on Nov. 2, where he made 24 saves in the Hurricanes 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers. He's currently 4-1-0 with a 2.87 goals-against average and .894 save percentage in six starts this season.
Carolina general manager Don Waddell told the media that they expect Andersen to make a full recovery.
"There is currently no timetable for his return, but we are confident that Freddie will be able to make a full recovery,” said Waddell.
Antti Raanta has been filling in during Andersen's absence. He made 22 saves in a 4-3 overtime win against the New York Islanders on Saturday. Raant is now 3-1-0 in four starts with a 3.03 GAA, .870 save percentage and one shutout in five appearances.
The Hurricanes have also brought in Jaroslav Halak for a free agent tryout. The 38-year-old goalie is 295-189-69 with a 2.50 GAA, .915 save percentage and 53 shutouts in 581 games (555 starts). He has played with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Islanders, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and Rangers.
Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov was also recalled from Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Monday.
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