Goaltender Ilya Samsonov in addition to defensemen Michal Kempny and Alexander Alexeyev, who could be a black ace when the Washington Capitals‘ round-robin slate begins against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, August 3 in Toronto, missed the first day of Phase Three for the team. The Capitals, as well as the other 23 teams resuming play, are not allowed to disclose injuries, absences, or positive COVID-19 test results, in order to protect player privacy, according to the agreement between the NHL and players’ association.
The league will now handle all announcements regarding COVID-19 cases on a weekly basis, typically in a Monday’s. The NHL announced on today that six more players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, including one that was not in phase two protocol.
Close your eyes for a second and just enjoy the sounds… pic.twitter.com/La0q8ckfoD
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 13, 2020
Samsonov was replaced by Capitals assistant coach Brett Leonhardt during the team’s first practice.
A trio of players did not take part in today’s practice sessions: goaltender Ilya Samsonov, defensemen Michal Kempny and Alex Alexeyev. #Caps asst coach Brett Leonhardt will fill in as second netminder in afternoon session.
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) July 13, 2020
Captain Alex Ovechkin, who is eligible to sign a contract extension as his expires after the 2020-21 NHL season, said he has not started negotiations with the Capitals yet. (More here)
A staff worker at MedStar Capitals Iceplex spent about half an hour disinfecting, mopping, and wiping down the bench area between the camp sessions.
Practice Groups
Here are the lines and D pairs so far:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Wilson
Gersiich-Backstrom-Hathaway
Hagelin-Eller-Pinho
MailletSiegenthaler-Carlson
Dillon-Orlov https://t.co/N8Thf1XDGZ— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 13, 2020
Capitals players in Group 2:
Forwards: Oshie, Kovalchuk, Vrana, Panik, Dowd, Boyd, McMichael, Malenstyn, Sprong, Pilon
Defense: Gudas, Fehervary, Jensen, Lewington
Goalies: Vanecek
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) July 13, 2020
Forwards T.J. Oshie and Ilya Kovalchuk participated despite not skating with the team during phase two.
The Capitals released the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoff guide later on Monday afternoon. You can find it here.
Around The NHL
- Toronto Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19 last month but was asymptomatic
- The Minnesota Wild extended head coach Dean Evason’s contract by two years
- The Montreal Canadiens signed F prospect Alexander Romanov to a three-year entry-level contract
Capitals Today
CAPS TODAY: The Capitals and John Carlson, the all-time franchise leader among defensemen in playoff goals, points and games played, return to the ice today for the start of Phase 3. More info on Carlson and the Caps at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/Onhfj2kphO
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) July 13, 2020
More Training Camp Coverage
Capitals’ Tom Wilson: “We’re Coming Back To Win”
Gary Bettman: “We Think We Have A Terrific Plan”
Alex Ovechkin On Contract Extension Talks With Capitals: “Not Even Thinking About That Yet”
By Harrison Brown
