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Former Stanley Cup Champion and No. 4 Pick Comes Out of Retirement to Join New Team

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated May 18, 2025 9:48 AM ET

Just when it seemed the playing career of 2018 Stanley Cup champion Nicklas Backstrom was over, he's agreed to play one more year - but not with the Capitals.

By all indications, it seemed as though the playing career of Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom had been completely derailed by injury woes.

Backstrom hasn't played since October 2023 and would later step away from the club because of his injury issues that required hip resurfacing surgery; the result, unfortunately, didn't result in a return to the NHL for him.

His contract with the Capitals expires on July 1, but now it looks as though he's going to continue playing - just not in Washington.

Per multiple reports, Backstrom intends to sign a 1-year deal with Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League.

He'd previously played 3 years with the team, rising through their ranks before making the leap to North America in 2007.

The reports were confirmed by Aftonbladet's Tomas Ros and Hans Abrahamsson:

(via Google Translation)

Yes, the rumor has been going around for a long time - Nicklas Bäckström to Brynäs. The dream comeback. And the information we receive never stops. What we hear now is that he is signing a one-year contract with Brynäs and is treading very carefully. Maybe only playing half the games until Christmas. Then it will be more and more.

Backstrom was one of the longest-tenured teammates of Alex Ovechkin, and the pair won the Stanley Cup together over the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018.

Backstrom recently listed his McLean, Virginia, home for $14.995 million, signaling his departure from the Washington DC area.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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