Lars Eller was one of Washington’s most tenacious players on the forecheck during the Capitals’ first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes.
But he did so while dealing with an undisclosed upper-body injury that kept him out of practices down the stretch.
During his breakdown day interview on Friday, Eller spoke about his injury. He didn’t reveal much.
By Brennin Weiswerda 5 months ago
The Washington Capitals held their breakdown day at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday, following their exit from the 2018-19 playoffs, which marked the official end of their season.
Several players were asked about whether they had been nursing any injuries during their first round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes. Forward Jakub Vrana, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, confirmed that he had been struggling with an injury.
By Donya Abramo 5 months ago
As the Capitals players faced the media for the final time this season, one of the common questions asked was if the players had been playing through injury during playoffs.
When Evgeny Kuznetsov was asked if he was banged up at all, he replied with a deadpan, “Russian machine never breaks.”
By Elizabeth Kong 5 months ago
Nicklas Backstrom has played all 12 of his seasons in the NHL with the Washington Capitals – the team that originally drafted him in 2006. During that time, Backstrom has become a father, an NHL All-Star, and a Stanley Cup champion.
The Swedish center will become an unrestricted free agent after next season when his 10-year, $67 million contract officially expires. But if Backstrom had his way, he wouldn’t even make it to free agency.
On Friday, Michal Kempny spoke with the media for the first time since his season-ending injury in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kempny was still on crutches during breakdown day, just as he was during the White House visit in March.
Kempny underwent successful surgery for a torn hamstring on April second with a predicted recovery time of 4-6 months. He said “for sure” that he “should be good for training camp” in August.
By Brennin Weiswerda 5 months ago
Capitals’ starting goaltender Braden Holtby told the media at Friday’s breakdown day that he is hopeful that the Capitals will reach out this him this summer to begin talks on a contract extension.
Next season will be the final year of Holtby’s contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
“I would love that,” Holtby said. “But that’s not something I’m going to try and dwell on. I’m pretty realistic about what goes on in the business and such.”
By Elizabeth Kong 5 months ago
After losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games, the Washington Capitals cleaned out their lockers and met with the media on Friday.
Injured forward TJ Oshie was the first player to speak at the podium. “It sucks we’re here today and having this conversation,” Oshie said.
Within minutes of the chat, he touched on something that meant a lot to him.
Oshie said he was almost moved to tears while watching Game Five from home after Caps fans started chanting his name in tribute.
The day after the Washington Capitals held their Championship parade on Constitution Avenue, they returned to Kettler Capitals Iceplex to clear out their lockers and break down the season with the media.
Nicklas Backstrom, who missed Game Six against Pittsburgh in Round Two due to a hand injury, as well as the first three games of the Eastern Conference Final, confirmed the exact nature of the injury on Wednesday.
It was about as bad as you imagined.
By Donya Abramo 1 year ago
The Washington Capitals held breakdown day at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Friday. At the end of a team-identified two-year Stanley Cup window, the players wore the disappointment on their faces with how things ended this season. During their final interviews with the press, the Caps gave their theories on what went wrong and, for some, spoke about their uncertain futures with the team. Others revealed painful injuries they played through in the postseason.
By Amanda Bowen 2 years ago
It’s the worst day ever and it just got worse. At Capitals Breakdown Day, Braden Holtby showed up to talk with reporters with a shaved face.
By Elyse Bailey 2 years ago
