After 18 years in NHL, the Swedish star center is back in Sweden. Many in Gävle expect that "Bäckis" return this spring will generate Brynäs' first SM gold in ice hockey since 2012 after the final loss against Luleå last season.
The main character himself seems to take it all with ease when TT asks about the pressure before the season and Saturday's SHL premiere at home against Växjö.
Oh, is that pressure? I haven't felt it, says Nicklas Bäckström.
Not?
No, it's incredibly fun to be back. It's awesome. I'm coming into a good team, good people in the squad, good organization, good coaches. Everything has been top-notch.
You shot down the question about pressure there, but can you say something more about the expectations?
What should I say? Of course, there will be pressure. But at the same time, I'm not thinking about it. I'm just damn glad to get to do what I love; play hockey, come to work every day, have fun with the guys and build something.
The 37-year-old has taken himself back the last two years due to hip problems and only played eight NHL matches since the 2023-2024 season. Bäckström says the body feels good. He has proven it with points during the preseason.
Erik Karlsson, sports director at Gefle Dagblad and Arbetarbladet, confirms the picture that "Bäckis" has looked unhindered during training and matches. The interest from outside seems never to cease.
"Only 'Foppa' competes"
There is an insatiable interest in reading about him and chatting with him. He is the biggest homecomer to Brynäs ever. It's probably only "Foppa" (Peter Forsberg, to Modo in the early 2000s) who competes historically. There is an incredible Brynäs fever, without a doubt, says Erik Karlsson.
During his successful years in NHL, which culminated in the Stanley Cup title in 2018, the assist king "Nicky", as he can be called in Washington, was a radar partner with Alexander Ovetjkin.
Bäckström, on the other hand, has not heard anything from the Russian goal machine since the move.
Nothing, says the Swede.
"Then it will be a party"
Bäckström has joined Brynäs on a one-year contract with an option for another year. Last season, the Gävle team surprised most people when they reached the SM final as newcomers.
On Stortorget in Gävle, Kerstin and Agneta are sitting. Both have an eye on this year's big homecomer who is from Valbo a few miles outside Gävle. Kerstin is glad that Bäckström will soon play his first SHL match since 2007.
It's nice that he's back and I hope Brynäs wins gold. Period.
Agneta is also hopeful.
We want them to play good matches and take SM gold, of course. It's probably Gävle's big wish, because then it will be a party, she says.
Club director: No savior
Brynäs club director Håkan Svedman has experienced the journey from when the club first dropped out of SHL (in the spring of 2023) to last year's SM final, which was the first since 2017. He believes that Bäckström has joined at a better time than if he had come home a few years ago.
It means that Nicklas hopefully can come into the organization and feel that he can be himself and enjoy hockey, not come in as some kind of savior and feel a pressure to save the club in some way, says Svedman.
He is aware that the expectations from outside are high.
We need to be able to relate to the fact that people believe and hope a lot about our sporting results in the coming year, he says.
Born: November 3, 1987, in Valbo outside Gävle (37 years old)
Position: Center
Clubs: Valbo, Brynäs, Washington, Dynamo Moskva (lockout season 2012-2013)
Main merits: Was part of Washington for 18 seasons. Made 1,033 points (271+762) in 1,105 regular season matches and 114 points (38+76) in 139 playoff matches. Won the Stanley Cup in 2018. Has won two World Championship gold medals and taken one Olympic Games silver with Tre Kronor.
Current: Plays his first SHL match for Brynäs since 2007 on Saturday, in the premiere at home against Växjö in Gävle.
