Star center Nicklas Bäckström signed a one-plus-one season contract with his Brynäs team last summer, and the question is whether he will continue next season for the 38-year-old, who had two assists during the Swedish Championship playoffs.
"We have to evaluate and see what the management wants. It remains to be seen. Now I'm just going home to my family," Bäckström told TV4 after the quarter-final exit against Växjö.
“The love of sport”
What speaks in favor of him continuing?
It's the love of the sport. It's a lot of fun to put on the Brynäs jersey, you're very proud every time you do it. The whole town breathes hockey and that's what's so great about it.
What needs to be in place?
"It's just that everything has to work out with family and stuff. We have to evaluate and see first and foremost what Brynäs wants," he says.
After almost 20 years in the NHL, highlighted by a Stanley Cup with Washington in 2018, Bäckström was back in Brynäs this season.
Even though he had missed almost two seasons due to hip problems, he played 45 regular-season games for the sixth-placed team, scoring three goals and 27 assists.
I had no expectations before the season, but it's been fantastic. The guys have been great. The reason I came home is because I love the sport and want to play hockey.
However, in the fifth playoff match, the season ended when Växjö won 2–1 on home ice and advanced to the Swedish Championship semi-finals, winning the series 4–1.
"Of course I'm disappointed and we're not where we want to be. But if you lose a series 4–1, you lose to a better team," says Bäckström.
Difficulties scoring
Brynäs kept firing at Adam Åhman, but it took until 11:06 of the third period before the visitors' Oskar Lindblom found a hole past Växjö goalkeeper Adam Åhman, reducing the score to 1–2.
Last year's SM finalist Brynäs (2–4 in matches against Luleå) didn't come any closer than that.
"At times we play good hockey, but in the playoffs it's about hanging on. We haven't taken advantage of our chances, even though their goalie has been really good too," says Nicklas Bäckström.
Åhman saved 31 of 32 shots in the 2–1 victory and took Växjö to the semifinals. The home team had 13 shots on Erik Källgren in the Brynäs goal.
