ARLINGTON, VA — The Washington Capitals’ defense corps is back to full strength as the team welcomed its final arrival to Training Camp.
After visa issues delayed the start of his season, Rasmus Sandin hit the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Thursday for the first time since he returned to DC earlier in the week.
More from Group B—Rasmus Sandin is back and skating with the team today. He missed the start of training camp dealing with visa issues, then had to clear medical before he was able to skate. pic.twitter.com/NpnNwwvnw5
— Katie Adler (@katieEadler) September 26, 2024
After practice, head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed that Sandin would not play in Friday’s preseason game at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He previously expressed hope that Sandin could return to the lineup by the time the Caps head to Columbus on Monday.
“I would, in the back of my head, and I haven’t spoken to anyone [on the] medical side of it, the game in Columbus would be — but that might be wishful thinking,” he said on Wednesday. “But to be able to get two preseason games, I think, would be ideal. If it has to be just that last Boston game, I certainly would expect him to be ready for that game.”
With 16 days left until the start of the regular season, Sandin will need to quickly ramp up his preseason preparations to make up for missing the first week of Training Camp, though Carbery confirmed that Sandin had continued his conditioning while waiting in Sweden. Sandin stayed out for extra work on Thursday, practicing his shooting after Group B’s skate ended.
“He was skating every day and training, and so that I don’t think will be an issue,” Carbery said. “Now, there’s a difference between summer skates and training camp, so he’ll need to put a significant amount of work in to get caught up.”
Sandin played in 68 games for Washington last season, recording 23 points (3g, 20a). The 24-year-old defender took the ice for 21:07 of ice time per game, second on the team behind only John Carlson (21:07).
