Injuries within the Capitals organization continue to mount. In addition to Nicklas Backstrom (hip), T.J. Oshie (foot) and Anthony Mantha (shoulder), injuries are also occurring at a significant rate throughout the Capitals’ organization.
The Hershey Bears lost Brian Pinho, Mike Vecchione and Eddie Whittcow Friday night against the Springfield Thunderbirds. All three of the players were out of Saturday nights tilt with the Providence Bruins.
Probably the most immediate concern for the Capitals’ depth is the injury to forward Brian Pinho, who is conceivably a potential callup. He took a hit into the boards Friday night and immediately hunched over. He would leave the game and not return.
Deeper in the prospect pool, defenseman Vinny Iorio of the Brandon Wheat Kings, forward Bear Hughes of the Spokane Chiefs and forward Haakon Hanelt of the Gatineau Olympiques have all been out for extended periods of time. All three missed games at the end of October and have yet to play a game in the month of November.
Reinforcements In Chocolate Town
The Bears are currently extremely thin at the forward position, but help is potentially on the way. The Bears announced on Saturday that they have signed forward Ryan Dmowski to a professional tryout agreement. In addition, the Capitals re-assigned Aliaksei Protas to Hershey on Saturday. It’s not clear if the move was made to assist Hershey, but the Bears needed Protas to field a full lineup of forwards Saturday night.
Depth on the blueline is not an issue for the Bears, but defenseman Bobby Nardella, who was already working out in Hershey, was officially re-assigned to the Bears on Saturday. Nardella didn’t play against the Bruins Saturday night, but it appears his return to the lineup is getting close.
By Jon Sorensen
Sad to see the injuties at both levels mounting. backy and his bad hip, in my opinion, needs to retire before he has to have a hip replacement and then his career is done. Love Oshie but age and size and going to get the injury bug going as long as he has to play inside and guys like Wilson who have the size and grit are just to scared to. By the way what is up with Wilson? One goal and looks like he is sleeping out there alot. He is getting put on his rear way tomuch and that is suppose to be hius job in doing that to the other team! Is he just to afraid of suspensions and fines? With Manthat gone for the year he really needs to step up and supply not only goals but grit.
excellent work. Will be interested in seeing if the Caps got lucky with Haanelt. Would not have thought that the Protas move to Hershey was to tide them through but now it makes sense.