Nicklas Bäckström is back in Brynäs after 18 years in Washington. Even though the 37-year-old has only played eight NHL matches in the last two seasons due to hip problems, the expectations are high.
Calle Järnkrok has trained with Bäckström in the summer and believes that the star center – known for his sense of the game and his fine passes – will make 60 assists in the SHL this winter.
He will do 2+60 (2 goals and 60 assists) this season, the Toronto player said to Gefle Dagblad last week.
”Bäckis” knows what Järnkrok said.
He messaged me afterwards and said so. Then I said "fun that someone believes in me", says Nicklas Bäckström.
How many do you think you will make then?
It's completely impossible to answer. The only thing I care about is that the team does well and that the team wins, then I'm satisfied.
After scoring a goal directly in Brynäs' annual internal match on Friday, Bäckström – who has won the Stanley Cup, two World Championship gold medals and taken an Olympic Games silver – plays his first practice match on Thursday, against Timrå in Hudiksvall.
The assist king says that his body feels good.
I will try to play quite simply in the beginning and try to get into it as well as possible.
The SHL starts on September 13.
