Nicklas Backstrom (Washington) - Head?

[wendelclark17]

a glimmer of hope perhaps ??

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...pitals-insider

Posted at 12:24 PM ET, 02/11/2012
Nicklas Backstrom: ‘I’m not 100 percent to skate’
By Katie Carrera
In his first English interview since Jan. 6, Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom told reporters that he believes he is making progress in his recovery from a concussion but that he doesn’t know when he will be able to play again.

“I’m not 100 percent to skate right now,” Backstrom said Saturday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. “We’ll see when it’s going to be time for me to hit the ice. Right now, I’m taking it day-by-day to see how I feel.”

Backstrom said he’s been riding the stationary bike but reiterated the slow-moving nature of this recovery process.

NHL protocols mandate that in order to return to play, he must be symptom free at rest, symptom free with exertion levels required for game-play and then reach his baseline level on a neuropsychological test before he is back in a game. Players undergo neuropsychological testing prior to the start of each season to establish a baseline.

“Lately I’ve been doing the bike,” Backstrom said. “So I think I’m improving, but the thing is, it takes time. But I’m on a good program now, hopefully I get better soon.”

Backstrom, 24, said he’s trying to be around the team every day now, which wasn’t always the case in the earliest stages in his recovery. In addition to his daily evaluations with head athletic trainer Greg Smith, over the past week Backstrom has attended games, hosted a Super Bowl party and has been interacting with his teammates. Backstrom is also traveling up to New York with the team today as part of the Capitals’ dads and mentors trip. His father Anders is in town for the event.

It’s been 39 days since Backstrom absorbed the elbow to his head from then-Calgary forward Rene Bourque that caused the concussion. Since then, Backstrom has missed 16 games and has only skated for five minutes in the past 36 days.

[echoboomer]

Hahahah, hosting superbowl parties.

[wendelclark17]

no significant updates ..... this from twitter:

Katie Carrera @kcarrera
GMGM had no real update on Backstrom, who is still riding stationary bike. #Caps still waiting for him to feel well enough to skate.

[dmfitzpatrick29]

Has anyone on here every had a concussion. I just don't understand how he can be "not well enough" to skate. What does that even mean? Especially with his history of headaches and migraines, what the hell?

[littleranger]

Has anyone on here every had a concussion. I just don't understand how he can be "not well enough" to skate. What does that even mean? Especially with his history of headaches and migraines, what the hell?

The feeling is that some stuff really triggers your head and some doesn't. I'm not sure how he can handle the stationary bike but not be able to skate as both are pretty intense activities. I guess at least on the bike you're sitting down but when I was injured I couldn't do either because I was just have this weird dizzy pain in my head.

[duducks]

Has anyone on here every had a concussion. I just don't understand how he can be "not well enough" to skate. What does that even mean? Especially with his history of headaches and migraines, what the hell?

My concussions I'd have a few weeks of steady headaches, occasional dizzyness, and not feeling "on". Never stopped me from staying active / playing. My personal unmedical view is that being active helps, not hurts, recovery, and these guys are told to relax until symptons are gone.

[93213]

Has anyone on here every had a concussion. I just don't understand how he can be "not well enough" to skate. What does that even mean? Especially with his history of headaches and migraines, what the hell?

The migraine thing really concerns me.

The concussion thing is usually precautionary due to symptoms. You can play with a concusion. Guys have proven than. Roenick played a round and a half of playoffs with one and was effective. I think it's long term damage that worries them and also now that we know what we know I wonder if agents and owners have any liability fears.

[shortcuttomoncton]

My concussions I'd have a few weeks of steady headaches, occasional dizzyness, and not feeling "on". Never stopped me from staying active / playing. My personal unmedical view is that being active helps, not hurts, recovery, and these guys are told to relax until symptons are gone.

Can we agree that your personal unmedical view seems to be the complete opposite of what anyone with a "medical view" seems to say?

[tsumetai]

My concussions I'd have a few weeks of steady headaches, occasional dizzyness, and not feeling "on". Never stopped me from staying active / playing. My personal unmedical view is that being active helps, not hurts, recovery, and these guys are told to relax until symptons are gone.

Being active does help, they aren't told to "relax". But being active and playing in an NHL hockey game are on two diff levels.

Similar to how Backstrom is hitting the stationary bike...that is endurance, maintenance type activity which is good for all-around health. But it's not high intensity at all.

At high intensity levels, the headaches get 1000 x worse.

Also, dizziness and Headches affect your reflex and quick judgement, that's why it's so easy to get smoked by another hit if you're not 100% alert.

Before playesr are allowed to play they have to show no concussion symptoms at HIGH EXERTION LEVELS.

[CNFBC]

Any news on this? I'm getting an itchy trigger finger in one league. He's sort of important.

[bluteau]

Nothing I have been readind some article from Washington journal and I found nothing. I am leading by 8pts whit Backstrom on my bench I am trying to trade him but it's tough...

[dmvincent]

This is the best update I could find.

http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-ca...ngton-capitals

[shortcuttomoncton]

Just like Crosby: you'll hear about it when he starts practicing with the team. Until then, asking is a waste of time.

[Ballsakic]

Backstrom on long term IR Crap.

https://twitter.com/#!/kcarrera/stat...28557910528000

[Dape02]

just a cap play said he should play in playoffs