However, his hip's response this summer remains uncertain. The success of the procedure varies in hockey, with players like Ed Jovanovski playing only 37 more games after a year-long rehabilitation.
Ryan Kesler never returned after the surgery, while Mike Sillinger opted for a pain-free retirement. The Undertaker, a WWE Hall of Famer, returned to work but with a reduced schedule. Backstrom's future impact is uncertain, and the Capitals may place him on long-term injured reserve if he can't continue playing.