(Arlington) Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson finally seem close to a return to play for the Washington Capitals.
National Hockey League roster officials announced on Saturday that both players’ names have been removed from the injured list.
Backstrom, a center recognized for his playmaking skills, and Wilson, a robust power forward, are scheduled to play their first game of the season on Sunday when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit Washington.
During the offseason, Backstrom underwent left hip resurfacing surgery to treat a nagging injury that had hampered his ability to skate.
He is only the second NHL player to return from this operation, following Ed Jovanovski in 2014.
“I’m not going to pressure myself,” Backstrom commented this week. “All I can say is that I’m doing great, and the most important thing for me is that I don’t feel any pain, that I’m able to skate and move as I want. . I hope that will be enough. »
Wilson underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
He was injured in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Capitals and Florida Panthers on May 3.
“My expectations are that I have to be where I was before,” Wilson said. “That’s the only acceptable outcome. I want to be the player I was before. So this whole process I had in mind and that was my goal. »
Despite the absences of Backstrom and Wilson, the Capitals rebounded from a slow start. They hold a position in the Eastern Conference standings that would have given them playoff access had the season ended Friday.
In order to make room for Backstrom’s and Wilson’s salaries within the salary cap limits, the Capitals moved defenseman John Carlson’s name to the long-term injured list.
Carlson is out for a long time after being hit in the face by a puck on Dec. 23.
In addition, the Capitals put the name of forward Joe Snively on waivers and traded young forward Aliaksei Protas to their farm club of Hershey, in the American League.
If no one claims it by Sunday noon, the Capitals can trade Snively to Hershey.