Losing in the playoffs doesn’t mean the end of hockey for some Capitals. Nicklas Backstrom has accepted an invitation to play for Sweden in the IIHF World Championships while Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin are likely both headed to the tournament to play for Russia. The tournament is being co-hosted by Sweden and Finland.
Check out the official release from the IIHF on the Russians here and on Backstrom’s addition here. There are insurance and visa issues to deal with and the Caps have scheduled their breakdown day – exit meetings between players and coaches, trainers and team executives – for Monday.
The Russians say they hope to have Semin and Ovechkin in town by Wednesday. Semin’s agent, Mark Gandler, told the Examiner on Sunday afternoon that his client might try to get to Stockholm by Monday night in time for Russia’s final preliminary round game against Italy. It’s unclear if Semin needs explicit approval from Washington to do so. He is a free agent this summer, but his contract won’t expire until July 1. The World Championships finish preliminary round play on Tuesday. Russia is off, but Sweden plays Latvia in Stockholm at 8:15 p.m. local time. Backstrom is expected to play.
Both teams have reached the quarterfinals, which begin on Thursday against opponents to be determined. The semifinals are Saturday with the bronze medal and gold medal games set for Sunday in Helsinki. Finland won last year’s title.
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