The fans of the Washington Capitals are not just intrigued by their team’s status as favorites in this year’s Stanley Cup race. Attention is firmly directed towards their captain, Alex Ovechkin, who stands just 7 goals shy of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s legendary all-time NHL goal record. Currently, there is a palpable anticipation surrounding this moment, with numerous individuals eager to witness the Russian hockey forward’s achievement unfold on the rink.
This list features one of his fellow players, Nicklas Backstrom. On X, Capitals insider Tarik El-Bashir reported that “Nicklas Backstrom said he intends to begin traveling as Alex Ovechkin gets closer to Wayne Gretzky to make sure he’s in the building when it happens.” This is certainly promising news for the Caps. They will not only witness Ovi scoring that golden goal in a few games, but they will also see their former player return, albeit as a spectator.
For those who are just starting to follow hockey, this individual may not yet be on your radar. In 2022, Backstrom faced a serious hip injury that led many to speculate it could mark the end of his career. Ultimately, he staged a return in January 2023, participating in 39 of the team’s final 40 games. Additionally, he participated in 8 games during the 2023-24 season, before declaring that he would be stepping away until he feels ready to return to the rink. What did he say?
“Given my ongoing injury situation, I decided to take some time and step away from the game. This is a difficult decision, but one that I feel is right for my health at this time. I want to thank my teammates, the organization, and fans for their unwavering support throughout this process. I ask for privacy at this time as I determine my next steps and viable options moving forward,” Backstrom stated.
Nicklas Backstrom said he intends to begin traveling as Alex Ovechkin gets closer to Wayne Gretzky to make sure he’s in the building when it happens. #ALLCAPS
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) March 21, 2025
The hockey forward aspired to join his team, yet the situation prevented him from doing so. It appears he has developed a keen interest in Ovechkin’s pursuit of the record. Backstrom played a vital role for the Caps, and do you remember when the two forwards came together during a practice session a few months back?
This is a developing report…
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