Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson is not counting out a potential T.J. Oshie return this season.
After a tough 2023-24 season which saw him dealing with a chronic back injury, Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie and the team's General Manager Chris Patrick released a statement regarding his availability this year.
It was revealed that T.J. Oshie is likely to spend the entire 2024-25 season on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), which is unfortunate for the Capitals. However, Oshie's spot will likely be taken by one of Washington's off-season additions - Andrew Mangiapane.
While it seems like it's a foregone conclusion that Oshie won't play at all this season given the news this week, but one member of the Washington Capitals isn't counting out his teammate.
During a recent interview, Tom Wilson was asked about T.J. Oshie and said that he's thinking about him and wishing him all the best, wanting his teammate to take care of himself and his health. Wilson went on to say that he's not going to count out Oshie, saying that he could go and rehab his injury and show up for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it wouldn't surprise anyone.
'Who knows, you never count Osh out,' Wilson said. 'He could go and get some rehab and show up for playoffs. Who knows? I'll keep my hopes up. But wishing him and his family, obviously, the health at this stage in your life and your careers is first and foremost and most important. So I want him to take care of himself.'
The Capitals will open the 2024-25 season, their 50th in the National Hockey League, on Saturday, October 12th against the New Jersey Devils.
