Washington Capitals | Possible operations for Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson

(Arlington) Nicklas Backstrom overcame a hip injury that forced him to miss the first two months of the regular season, and Tom Wilson was unable to do the same, despite all his efforts, in the playoffs due to a a knee injury.

It is now possible that they will be absent when the next NHL season kicks off.

The Washington Capitals could face a very difficult summer that could continue into the fall, due to the uncertainty surrounding the health of Backstrom, Wilson and winger Carl Hagelin, who hopes to be able to play hockey again after suffering an accident that nearly cost him his left eye.

Wilson may have to go under the knife to repair what he himself called a “very significant injury” to a knee, and Backstrom’s future with the team in the US Federal Capital seems mysterious as the season approaches. an important decision.

Asked if Backstrom’s career is in jeopardy, Caps general manager Brian MacLellan declined to answer directly, preferring instead to say, “I think he’s going to analyze all possible scenarios.” He wants it to get better. He wants to be more physically comfortable when he’s on the ice, so he’s going to analyze various scenarios. »

Backstrom missed the first two months of the campaign while undergoing rehabilitation for his left hip, which was repaired in 2015, and the main interested party admitted that he would never fully recover. MacLellan added that it was not an option for the 34-year-old veteran to continue playing as he has done since last December.

Wilson missed most of the series against the Florida Panthers after twisting his left knee trying to avoid a hit in Game 1 on May 3. He has since skated, but never considered a return to this series due to the severity of the injury he suffered.

“My summer will be terrible,” admitted Wilson, who also suffered a concussion in December. It will be very difficult. I have to start my rehabilitation. As an athlete, you always have to have clear goals and be lucid in order to know what you have to do, and we are slowly getting there with the doctors and all the rest. We’ll see what happens next. »

For his part, captain Alex Ovechkin said he will return home to Moscow on Monday and will not need surgery for his sore left shoulder. He missed the last three games of the regular season before making a comeback in time for the playoffs. He finished them with a one-goal record and five assists.

As a result, the health of Backstrom, Wilson and Hagelin will impact the Capitals’ picks this summer, after they were ousted in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth straight time since winning the Premier League. Stanley Cup in 2018.

Head coach Peter Laviolette will enter the final year of his contract, and MacLellan declined to say whether he will offer him a contract extension. He would, however, like to offer 21-year-old center Connor McMichael a regular job and settle the situation in net.

“We’ve lost in the first round the last four seasons,” MacLellan said. We will consider some changes. We can’t rule anything out right now. »