Another year, another round of injuries for the Washington Capitals. I hope I don’t have to type that often this year. Yesterday we found out that Trevor van Riemsdyk was OK but Joel Edmundson wasn’t after he hurt himself in Sunday’s non game group scrimmage.
On Wednesday morning the Caps announced that the defenseman
“underwent a procedure on Tuesday to stabilize his fractured hand. Based on the nature of the injury, Edmundson is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.”
This will mean the Caps will be without two of their biggest offseason acquisitions to start the season. Max Pacioretty was going to miss time in the beginning anyway as he heals from an achilles injury. Now Edmundson is out with a fractured hand.
Spencer Carbery did note after Tuesday’s practice in which Edmundson was absent that his status is “probably not good” so no surprise there. Unless you were expecting four to six months then it was a surprise.
This will open up a spot for young defensemen including Alex Alexeyev, who was re upped at the beginning of the offseason for two years.
Edmundson has dealt with his share of injuries for quite some time. He spent the last few years dealing with a back injury that wasn’t related to what he suffered during Sunday’s scrimmage. He has only played in 85 games the last two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens.
Alexeyev is certainly the favorite to take Edmundson’s spot on the top six defense to start the year. Players that could challenge him include Lucas Johansen, Vincent Iorio and Hardy Haman Aktell.
The next Caps preseason game is tomorrow night at Capital One Arena against the Detroit Red Wings. Opening night is Friday Oct. 13 on home ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It looks like the defense will be something to keep an eye on the remainder of camp.