Bäckström has not played in Tre Kronor since he led the national team to World Cup gold in Cologne in 2017.
Sam Hallam does not deny that Bäckström could be a name for the Olympic squad.
"It's clear that with his experience, if he can move up a few more steps, it's good for us to have gotten to know each other before a trip. But if it's not the Olympics, there will be a World Cup later on, for example," says Hallam after presenting the squad for the first national team tournament of the season.
“Three points per period”
The center star chose to return home to Brynäs and the SHL this summer when his contract with Washington expired. This after he only played eight games in the last two seasons due to hip problems.
I think everyone has had huge expectations, ideally he should score three points per period. He takes on a huge responsibility, then it is clear that all players are affected by how the team is doing. Brynäs has struggled a bit to find a way to win matches. In that I think Nicklas has kept it up in a good way, above all it is his calmness in the game that I am interested in seeing, says Hallam.
Bäckström has 12 points (2 goals + 10 assists) in 16 games for Brynäs, which is currently in tenth place in the SHL.
The scoring king is missing
Sam Hallam believes that Bäckström, with his injury background, will grow even more during the season.
I think so, as long as he stays fresh. It feels great that he is here now and I think there are many in the squad who would love to play with him.
Tre Kronor will face the Czech Republic at home in Ängelholm next Thursday before the Finland Hockey Games (formerly Karjala Tournament) concludes with matches against Switzerland and Finland in Tampere.
Defenders Axel Andersson, Brynäs and Jacob Larsson, Rapperswil make their debut in Tre Kronor, as does forward Isac Hedqvist, Luleå.
However, the scoring king Oscar Lindberg, Skellefteå, is missing, 27 points in 16 games.
Sam Hallam doesn't want to say outright what the reason is.
"Sometimes there are things I don't want to discuss, but it's nothing strange, Oscar has had a fantastic start to the season and has played in the World Cup and internationals under me. He needs to focus on finishing the remaining matches and then coming back well after the break," he says.
Goalkeeper: Arvid Holm, Rögle, Jacob Johansson, Timrå.
Defenders: Axel Andersson, Brynäs, Jacob Larsson, Rapperswil, Robert Hägg, Brynäs, Erik Brännström, Lausanne, Gabriel Carlsson, Färjestad, Anton Lindholm, Bern, Tim Heed, Ambri-Piotta, Joel Persson, Växjö.
Forwards: Isac Hedqvist, Luleå, Nicklas Bäckström, Brynäs, Marcus Sörensen, Fribourg-Gottéron, Max Friberg, Frölunda, Christoffer Ehn, Linköping, Anton Bengtsson, Rögle, Andreas Wingerli, Zug, Felix Nilsson, Rögle, Linus Johansson, Färjestad, Rasmus Asplund, Davos, Marcus Sylvegård, Biel-Bienne, Jesper Frödén, Lions, Jacob de la Rose, Fribourg-Gottéron, Rickard Hugg, Skellefteå.
