The Washington Capitals and right-wing T.J. Oshie announced on Wednesday, one day prior the opening of training camp for the 2024-25 season, that the 37-year-old is expected to spend the year on long-term injured reserve after the sides spent the summer trying to find a solution for his back issues.
“The last season was challenging for me, my family, and my teammates as I dealt with a chronic back injury that kept me out of the lineup. I have used the offseason to explore and pursue long-term solutions for my injury. I remain committed to the process and am working and doing my best to regain total health. In the meantime, I will continue to help and support my teammates and the organization in any way I can. I greatly appreciate all of our fans’ support during this time,” said Oshie in a statement.
“We will support and assist T.J. as he seeks a lasting solution for his recurring injury. T.J. is a vital member of our team and continues to be an indispensable member of the organization and leadership group. Our organization fully backs him as he assesses his current health challenges,” GM Chris Patrick added.
Since joining the Capitals ahead of the 2015-16 season, Oshie has recorded 385 points (192 goals) in 567 games, ranking second on the team in goals in that span, only behind Alex Ovechkin. Oshie played in his 1,000th career game on March 16 against the Vancouver Canucks, becoming the 12th player in franchise history to reach the mark in a Capitals sweater.
Oshie finished last year with 12 goals and 25 points in 52 regular-season games before adding an assist in Washington’s four-game postseason appearance.
He has been limited to just 154 games (appearing in just .626 of Washington’s regular-season contests) over the past three seasons due to injury.
Oshie’s $5.75 million cap hit will come off of the Capitals’ salary cap this season. With the salary gone, Washington currently has around $4.48 million in cap space after acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane for the team’s top-nine forward group over the summer. Jakub Vrana will also attend training camp on a PTO agreement.
Oshie tallied 29 goals and 60 points in 76 postseason games with Washington, including eight goals and 21 points in 24 during the 2018 tournament to help the team win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
Oshie’s contract will expire after this season.
Center Nicklas Backstrom is also expected to spend the final season of his contract on long-term injured reserve due to a hip injury that has sidelined him since October 29, 2023.
By Harrison Brown