The Washington Capitals shortest offseason ever is almost over.
This week, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom were the latest players to return to the Washington DC area and join the team’s informal skates at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The sessions already include Lars Eller, John Carlson, Nathan Walker, Shane Gersich, Pheonix Copley, and Swiss defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler and Tobias Geisser. The practices are run by strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish.
Kuzy admitted in an interview on Friday that being a Stanley Cup champion made training over the summer more difficult.
Video
“It’s not long season (that effects your training). It’s most[ly] the celebration after,” Kuzy joked to NBC Sports Washington’s JJ Regan. “It’s kind of tough to stop and focus on your work.
“Overall I did a great job with the guys I practiced with [in Russia],” the center continued. “When I get back home, they’ve already practiced so I have to go and practice with them. So thanks to them.”
Meanwhile, Capitals captain and new father Alex Ovechkin continues to practice at the Panthers IceDen in southwest Florida.
Here are photos and videos of all of the players who have returned so far.
Evgeny Kuznetzov
Nicklas Backstrom
Boys puttin in work today @backstrom19 welcome back buddy! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/fheVQ1tFk6
— FriendsinColdPlaces (@inColdPlacesDC) August 31, 2018
John Carlson
He won the Stanley Cup
He got his big FA pay day
He still shows up to workYesterday, @JohnCarlson74 was with some #Caps teammates back on the ice.. The Champs open camp in just over 2 weeks! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/vyUw7xVh6k
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) August 29, 2018
Shane Gersich
CAMP NEMO UPDATE: @shane_gersich9 and @Kuzya92 back in D.C.!! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Co0tg0xdWm
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 28, 2018
Jonas Siegenthaler and Tobias Geisser
Camp Nemo Roster Update: @josieg97 and @GeisserTobias have joined @JohnCarlson74 and @NathanWalks10 at @MedStarIceplex! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/irfsK1JkOW
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 27, 2018
Pheonix Copley
Welcome back .@Capitals Friends to #CampNemo #FunWithPucks Backstrom Copley Carlson Walker Geisser Siegenthaler #caps #allcaps pic.twitter.com/1YryDtbDNc
— FriendsinColdPlaces (@inColdPlacesDC) August 31, 2018
Lars Eller
The man who supplied the #StanleyCup GWG is back at @MedStarIceplex putting in work! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/QcdF8pSUnn
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 22, 2018
Lars Eller’s father Olaf, the head coach of the Denmark’s men’s national junior team, was also at the rink.
Headline photo: Kirk Irwin