Michal Kempny out indefinitely with lower-body injury, no timeline on return

Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden confirmed our worst worries after the team’s morning skate. Reirden told reporters that the Caps will have to go without defenseman Michal Kempny “for an indefinite amount of time right now.”

Kempny was injured in an awkward tangle-up with Tampa Bay’s Cedric Paquette. Kempny needed help getting off the ice and after the game Head Coach Todd Reirden said, “it’s safe to say he’s going to miss some time.”

Reirden did not give a timeline on Kempny’s expected recovery and said tests are still being run on his injured leg.

Reirden was asked if he expected Kempny to be out the rest of the season.

“I don’t feel comfortable saying that until I get a little bit more medical advice on that one and so we go through all the proper testing we need to know so we can set that proper timetable.” Reirden said. “But right now, I just plan on not having him for an indefinite amount of time.”

With Kempny out of the line-up, Christian Djoos will join John Carlson on the top defensive pairing Friday night against the Wild.

Caps expected lineup:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Connolly
Burakovsky-Dowd-Boyd

Djoos-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Jensen

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 22, 2019

Djoos has been benched in recent weeks in favor of Brooks Orpik, but returned Tuesday against the Devils after missing ten straight games. Djoos played 16:25 total and had a primary assist. He had a 55.6 shot attempt percentage at five-on-five.

With Kempny out likely longterm, the Capitals have options in Hershey as well to shore up their defense. However, the Capitals have not called up anyone yet and are only carrying six defensemen.

No defensemen missing from Bears practice today outside of Bindilus (upper body, indefinitely). Siegenthaler, Lewington, Ness all here long with Hobbs, Williams, Johansen, Sproul, and Geisser.

— Kyle Mace (@kyle_mace) March 21, 2019

Jonas Siegenthaler, who was sent down to Hershey in early February to free up a roster spot for Djoos after the Swedish defenseman returned from compartment syndrome, is the likeliest option for the Capitals.