ARLINGTON, VA — The Washington Capitals saw positive signs on the injury front on Thursday as defenseman Rasmus Sandin took the ice in a blue no-contact jersey.
After undergoing ACL surgery this spring, Sandin skated by himself between Group A and Group B on the first on-ice day of Training Camp.
Sandin sustained the ACL tear on April 11 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, missing the final two games of the season before undergoing surgery on April 21. At that time, the Capitals estimated he would have a recovery time of six to nine months, placing his return between late October and late January.
While general manager Chris Patrick hedged his enthusiasm, he expressed optimism that Sandin could come back closer to the six-month end of that spectrum.
“Still a little early to make a call on his schedule, but the six to nine-month window is still there, and I think we’re all hopeful, based on how he looks that maybe we’re closer to the earlier part of that,” Patrick said Thursday. “But nothing that I would want you guys to hold me to: it’s just it’s very positive how he looks right now. We hope it continues to go that way.”
Patrick told reporters he wasn’t sure exactly when Sandin had started skating again, but noted that it was before mid-August, meaning Sandin is at least a month into his on-ice recovery.
A timely Sandin return would be a boon for the Capitals, who looked to the open market to shore up their defense in his absence. The team signed Vincent Desharnais and Justin Holl as free agents, and it re-signed trade-deadline acquisition Timothy Liljegren.
Sandin recorded 29 points (5g, 24a) in 73 games last season, taking on a larger role after the departure of veteran John Carlson. After Carlson’s trade to the Anaheim Ducks, Sandin averaged 19:53 per game, the third-most of any Capitals skater over that span.
