Nicklas Backstrom. (Caps Outsider)
This morning, Capitals GM Brian MacLellan met with the media ahead of this year’s NHL draft. Many of the questions centered around what the team intends to do about Nicklas Backstrom, who underwent hip resurfacing surgery in June. MacLellan gave no timeline for Backstrom’s return but insists the 34-year-old center intends to play this upcoming season.
“The timeline is uncertain. I think everybody is happy… with the surgery, (and) the results of the surgery. I think it’s Nick’s intention to come back and play at some point this year,” MacLellan said.
MacLellan also said that the team will be looking inward to fill the void left by the Swedish veteran by giving opportunities to younger players, like Connor McMichael, Aliaksei Protas and Hendrix LaPierre.
“We have to plan for Nick coming back at some point,” MacLellan said. “It’s not like we can go out and sign a $9 million player.”
This pretty much means the Caps won’t be looking to sign free agents such as J.T. Miller or Nazem Kadri.
As for goalies, MacLellan said that Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek will be extended qualifying offers, but won’t rule out an acquisition of a veteran goaltender.
With two and a half months until the start of the season, the Caps have a lot of work to do.
