Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom to miss start of training camp amid ongoing rehab on hip

After Washington's playoff exit last season, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan told reporters Backstrom had a nagging injury late in the year that got worse and he struggled to be at 100%.

Backstrom underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his hip in 2015 and acknowledged in a recent interview with Daniel Sandström of Gefle Dagblad that his hip was fine after the surgery, but now it's "so-so." 

The 33-year-old also admitted that training and working out is more difficult as he's entering what could be his final years in the NHL.

"You have to train smart to stay in shape," Backstrom said. "When I was in my 20's I could do two workouts a day and play some tennis in between. Now it's more about doing the exercise I know my body can handle."

Backstrom signed a five-year, $46 million extension with the Capitals in January 2020 that will keep him in D.C. until through 2025. In his interview with Gefle Dagblad, he said he still thinks hockey is "fun" and still "loves" his job. 

So, at this point, it doesn't seem like Backstrom is close to retiring. However, it doesn't seem like another hip procedure is completely off the table before he does call it quits.