(Caps Outsider)
With only one assist in eight games this season, it seemed obvious that 35-year-old Caps center Nicklas Backstrom wasn’t at 100 percent this season. While he wasn’t the only player struggling with a slow start, his well-documented injuries as of late made it seem more likely that there was indeed something wrong.
“Given my ongoing injury situation, I decided to take some time and step away from the game,” Backstrom said. “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.