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Capitals fans saddened over decision by longtime franchise star Nicklas Backstrom

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 3:22 PM ET

Capitals fans everywhere are left saddened by the latest decision from longtime franchise star forward Nicklas Backstrom, who hasn't played since late 2023.

It looks as though the tenure of longtime Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom with the franchise is nearing an official end.

It was announced that Backstrom has officially put his 7-bedroom, 12-bathroom, 16,000 square-foot Northern Virginia home up for sale. The current asking price is just under $15 million. He bought it in 2021 for $8.5 million.

Backstrom, who hasn't played since October 2023, stepped away from the team owing to health reasons. He underwent hip resurfacing surgery, but the results have unfortunately not yielded the desired result of him being able to return full-time to the ice.

The news regarding his home near Washington D.C., combined with the fact that his contract with the Capitals expires this summer, has fans speculating that his time with the franchise is nearly up.

In late 2023, he made the sad announcement that he was taking a leave of absence from the Capitals.

Given my ongoing injury situation, I decided to take some time and step away from the game. This is a difficult decision, but one that I feel is right for my health at this time. I want to thank my teammates, the organization and fans for their unwavering support throughout this process. I ask for privacy at this time as I determine my next steps and viable options moving forward.

Backstrom has 1,033 points (271G, 762A) in 1,105 games. He helped the Capitals win their first franchise title in 2018 and was the first player to receive the Stanley Cup from Alex Ovechkin.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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