Washington Capitals Center Nicklas Backstrom Left hip resurfacing was performed Friday by the team, which was announced via social media on Saturday.
The Capitals confirmed that the surgery was performed in Belgium. The veteran forward will now begin his rehabilitation process and recovery.
After the Capitals lost the the Florida Panthers Backstrom's condition was a big topic in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Surgery wasn't considered a final strategy at the time.
Backstrom stated May 15 that hockey is the best thing he wants to do. “I want to be back. I want to return to normal. We'll all see what happens.
Backstrom missed two months of the season due to rehabilitation for his left hip. This was the same hip that he had in 2015, and he knows it will never be fully healed. Brian MacLellan, the general manager, said that Backstrom, a former All-Star who scored six goals and had 31 points in the season, could not continue to play without further treatment.
MacLellan stated in May that he believes he will explore all options. He wants it to be more. He wants to play more comfortably, so he is going to explore that.
Also with Alex OvechkinBackstrom has been a crucial offensive component of the Capitals' long-standing run of success. Backstrom has scored 1,011 points and 264 goals with Washington and was instrumental in the team's 2018 Stanley Cup victory.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
