Photo: Greg Fiume

Two weeks ago, the Washington Capitals announced that first line center Nicklas Backstrom went under the knife to have an arthroscopic procedure done on his hip. The club added in a statement that they were “confident” he will be “completely healthy” before the start of the 2015-16 regular season.

Over the weekend, Backstrom spoke to Erik Illerhag of his hometown Swedish newspaper Gefle Dagblad and revealed that this injury was something that was bothering him all year.

As translated by Malin Elis of Hockey Ramblings, Backstrom told GD.se, “I’ve been in pain since sometime in November so we had to fix it.”

Despite the discomfort, Backstrom played in all 82 games during the regular season and all 14 in the playoffs. He led the NHL with 60 assists and was sixth in points with 78. He also became the Capitals’ career assist leader. Dang. Imagine what he could have done if he was completely healthy?

When asked how long it’d take for him to recover, Backstrom said, “it’s hard to say. It varies from individual to individual, but five months is a time frame I have heard. Right now my main focus is to get back the mobility in my hip again.”

Since having the surgery, Backstrom has been spotted at a Nationals game without being on crutches.

The @washcaps came out to support the @Nationals tonight. Thanks Nicky Backstrom for the photo! pic.twitter.com/rYdO3Aez4S — Julie Allard Morris (@JulieMorris2010) June 3, 2015

Last week, Backstrom flew back to Sweden, and will be spending the summer in Galve home with girlfriend Liza and his one-year-old daughter Haley. Nicky was also asked if his daughter understood what he does now that she’s almost two.

“Yes, she says hockey to daddy so at least she understands that I play hockey,” Backstrom said. “She is usually just around for the afternoon games, since the other games end too late for her.”

Read the entire translation here.

Backstrom, in Sweden, after presenting scholarships to Fredrik Wieser and Amanda Wärjö. (Photo: Erik Illerhag/gd.se)