With training camp less than a month away, more Capitals players are making their way to MedStar Capitals Iceplex for informal skates. Nicklas Backstrom and Joel Edmundson were the latest to arrive on Monday morning.
Last offseason, Backstrom underwent hip resurfacing surgery that forced him to miss the first half of the 2022-23 season. The Swedish center returned to the lineup in January and played 39 games. The 35-year-old had 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists). He was not the same player as he once was, and faces arguably the most important training camp of his career.
👋 Nicky
👋 Eddy pic.twitter.com/xJ54VDspdj— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 28, 2023
“[He] is really, really hungry and lots to prove and his summer of training,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said in an interview with NHL.com. “I think having the extra time but also being able to fully recover from his surgery and now being able to prepare for a season and a training camp, having a full offseason to do that, I think he’s excited and it’s been going well for him.”
Related: Nicklas Backstrom On Preparations For 2023-24 Season: “I’ve Had A Great Summer”
Edmundson made his first appearance in a Capitals practice uniform this morning. Washington acquired the 30-year-old defenseman in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on the first day of NHL free agency. The left-shot rear-guard spent the last three seasons with Montreal, and had 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 61 games last year. The Brandon, MB, Canada native looks to bring experience and stability to the left side of the Capitals’ defense, which is quite young.
Players that have already been participating in informal skates are Joe Snively, Alex Alexeyev, John Carlson, Darcy Kuemper and Alex Limoges. Training camp kicks off on Sept. 20 at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
By Jacob Cheris
from Prevent Defense:
Folks have shoveled a lot of Xxxx on Backstrom’s head lately. I for one am rooting for Backstrom to have a bang-up season with lots of goals and assists and a deep playoff run. Just to rub his critics’ noses in the Xxxx.
The Contract: Backstrom earned his extension and virtually every NHL franchise rewards its Franchise players. The foolish ones welch-out on loyalty contracts, and they receive disloyalty in return. “Pay for past performance” maybe, but it’s the honor system of the NHL. Violation is folly.
The injury and recovery: Backstrom’s resurfacing surgery was successful. He’s on schedule with recovery. End of story.
The General Manager: GM Mac has handled the Senior Caps’ contracts exactly like he should have. Ovechkin, Backstrom and Wilson have earned every nickel. GM Mac deserves praise and not opprobrium. Spoiled Caps fans just don’t know — or remember — what a krappy GM looks like and does. Read up on the foibles of Mike Milbury. Better yet, talk to NovaCapsFans about the first three Caps’ GMs (McNab, Crozier and Schmidt).
I’m delighted to see Backstrom, Edmundson and others taking to the ice in August.
Let’s Go Caps
Here here Prevent Defense. GM’s handling of the Caps contracts and injuries this past season has been masterful. Having realistic expectations helps and thank God I don’t have the disease of wanting to watch AHL players on an NHL team….even after an incredible AHL season by our Bears, we are still talking about basically 2 4th liners and CMM
@Jon – I will be in DC in a couple weeks, can us fans watch when the players do informal workouts like they are starting to do? And if so, is there a time they typically are on the ice?