Defenseman Michal Kempny, who missed the Washington Capitals‘ final 15 games including all seven in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season after undergoing hamstring surgery on April 2, started training camp in a light blue jersey, meaning he did not take any contact. He did a few drills before heading off the ice. GM Brian MacLellan stated that he will likely be ready for the season opener at the St. Louis Blues but will not play in many preseason games, if any, at media day on Thursday.

Defenseman Alexandar Alexeyev and forward Kody Clark, who each suffered an upper-body injury during the team’s prospect tournament earlier this week, did not suit up for day one of camp, which MacLellan said on Thursday.

Head coach Todd Reirden said that there’s no timetable for Alexeyev’s return and that they are still waiting on NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s decision on whether to suspend center Evgeny Kuznetsov, who met with him earlier this week to discuss why he was banned for four years by the IIHF after he tested positive for cocaine in May.

Practice Groups

Groups and lines for today’s Training Camp session. Group White begins at 9:30 a.m., Group Red at 11 a.m. and Group Blue at 12:30 p.m. Full schedule and roster: https://t.co/YqwwkXfkaj pic.twitter.com/Gu2JznmZff

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) September 13, 2019

Headlines From Around The League

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Frederik Claesson, who recorded two goals, six points, and a +3 rating in 37 games with the New York Rangers last season, to a professional tryout.

With forward Mikko Rantanen still an unsigned restricted free agent, former Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky is taking his place on the Colorado Avalanche’s top-line with center Nathan MacKinnon and forward Gabriel Landeskog to begin training camp.

The Winnipeg Jets granted defenseman Dustin Byfuglien to leave the organization for personal reasons.

Dallas Stars forward Corey Perry will miss at least two weeks with a fractured foot and be re-evaluated then.

Stars GM Jim Nill stated that defenseman Julius Honka, who has appeared in no more than 42 games in any of his three NHL seasons, has requested a trade.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock stated that they will name a captain soon.

RFA Mitch Marner signs six-year contract that carries a cap hit of $10.8 million with the Maple Leafs.

Capitals Today

CAPS TODAY: Entering his 15th season, Ovechkin can climb to seventh in all-time goals with another 50-goal season, which would pass Luc Robitaille (668), Teemu Selanne (684), Mario Lemieux (690), Steve Yzerman (692) and Mark Messier (694). More info on https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/RgKpHBIfhx

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) September 13, 2019

Stay tuned throughout the day for updates.

By Harrison Brown