NHL Notebook: Nicklas Backstrom to resume playing career in Sweden

Born in Gavle, Sweden, Backstrom came up through Byrnas’ Junior system before playing parts of three seasons with their SEL team between 2004-05 and 2006-07. The Capitals selected the playmaking pivot with the fourth-overall pick in the 2006 draft and he made his NHL debut with Washington in 2007-08.

“I’m incredibly happy and excited,” Backstrom told Hockey Svergie. “It feels great to be home and to get a new chance here, to play with this incredibly great team and the roster they’ve built over the last few years. I’m thankful to Brynas for wanting me. I’m really pumped. I was young when I went overseas, and I’m bringing back a lot of experience.”

Backstrom finished second to Patrick Kane in Calder Trophy voting for the league’s top rookie after scoring 69 points in 82 games in his first NHL season. He quickly found chemistry with Alexander Ovechkin, the top pick from the 2004 draft, and the two formed an elite scoring duo on Washington’s top line.

Throughout 17 seasons with the Capitals, Backstrom scored 271 goals and 1,033 points over 1,105 games while providing strong two-way play. He also added 114 points in 139 playoff games, helping Washington to their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2017-18.

It’s been quite some time since Backstrom had a fully healthy season. He underwent hip resurfacing surgery in June of 2022 and didn’t make his debut for the 2022-23 season until January. After only eight games in 2023-24, Backstrom informed the Capitals that his hip was not responding properly and decided to step away from the game. He spent the entire 2024-25 campaign on the Long-Term Injured Reserve.

“I feel great physically,” Backstrom said. “It was a pretty complicated surgery and rehab, but over time it’s felt a lot better. Now it’s felt good for a long time. I’ve gotten the first practice out of the way and it felt perfect. I still feel that I’m a good hockey player and I’ll contribute as much as I can. I need repetition and I’ll get that here. And then it’s a new system and a slightly bigger rink and all that, but hopefully I’ll adapt quickly.”

Now 37 years old, Backstrom hopes to add some SHL hardware to a trophy case that includes a Stanley Cup, a KHL Gagarin Cup, and two World Hockey Championship gold medals. A strong showing with Brynas could also put the veteran on Sweden’s radar for the 2026 Olympics in Italy next February.