Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette did not rule out left-wing Anthony Mantha, who has missed 44 games after undergoing shoulder surgery for an injury suffered in the team’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on November 4, out for Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena (7 PM ET, ESPN+).
The 27-year-old, who was acquired as part of a deal that sent left-wing Jakub Vrana to the Detroit Red Wings on April 12, earned two goals and six points in 10 games prior to the injury.
Left-wing Carl Hagelin, who averages 1:54 on the penalty-kill (second among Capitals forwards) and has three goals and 14 points in 53 games this season, will be out for an extended period of time with an eye injury. If he is placed on long-term injured reserve, the Capitals could have an extra $2.75 million to work with ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on March 21 but would have to move out some salary if Hagelin plays again in the regular season.
Capitals winger Carl Hagelin had surgery on his left eye on Tuesday, GM Brian MacLellan said.
Hagelin is meeting with another doctor today to determine next steps about his “serious” eye injury. Hagelin is out indefinitely.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) March 2, 2022
Left-wing Joe Snively, who has four goals and seven points in 12 NHL games this season, is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The Capitals do not currently have any extra forwards so some roster moves could be made soon.
Goaltender Ilya Samsonov (who is 17-9-3 with a .901 save percentage, 2.93 goals-against average, and three shutouts) is still being evaluated after getting hit with a puck up high in Wednesday’s practice.
By Harrison Brown
Mantha returning sooner than I expected. Good news.
Samsonov out again…..wow. He sure gts hurt a lot and reminds me of Neuvirth and Varlamov injuries and took awhile to settle in but in the end both traveled around as goalies. NOt sure he is worth resigning after this season as his is a UFA and his contract would be over $2 mil. maybe time to cut string and sell when you might get something. maybe a package of Sammy and Eller can get a young player or prospect adn a nice pick.