The Washington Capitals announced that TJ Oshie would start the season on long-term injured reserve after his first physical at Training Camp revealed an injury.
“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,” Oshie said in a statement published by the team. “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.”
With the announcement, Oshie became the second major player from the Capitals’ aging core to land on the injured list recently. Nicklas Backstrom also stepped away from the team last November after hip problems ravaged his game and robbed him of his effectiveness.
For Tom Wilson, Oshie’s departure was especially painful, as the two right wings have become close over the years.
“I don’t need to tell you guys what he means to me and what he means to the group,” Wilson said to reporters after the first day of Training Camp. “He’s like family to me. We’ve gotten really close. And when you play as hard as he has for so long, you’re going to have some injuries to deal with. That’s part of the gig. We knew what we signed up for.”
Oshie has missed 92 games due to injury over the last three seasons, battling through issues with his back, foot, and hand. He suited up in 154 of 246 possible games, needing constant physical therapy to make it onto the ice.
“At the end of the day, he needs to look after himself,” Wilson said. “I’ll tell you right now, if it was up to Osh, injury or not, he’d be skating out there on one leg or whatever. He just loves the game of hockey. He’s a true warrior. But stuff catches up to you. And he has to look in the mirror and do what’s right for his health and his family. It’s been a battle for him the last couple of years. He’s such a happy guy and may not lead on to you and the public eye what’s going on. But he’s been grinding. He’s been putting in a ton of work, flying all over the place, rehabbing a ton. His day-to-day has been a lot harder than the rest of the guys. So he’s a true warrior. He’s like a brother to me. And I hope he’s around as much as possible.”
At his worst when his back flared up, Oshie would be “on the floor peeing in water bottles.” The longtime Capital added last year that the injury impacted his family life where he wouldn’t even have the strength to pick up his kids until he saw a specialized spinal doctor in Minnesota to relieve the pain.
While Oshie’s journey has been difficult, Wilson wouldn’t rule out the 37-year-old forward from returning at some point this season — his final under contract with the Capitals.
“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.”
Regardless of whether 77 can return or not, Wilson said he would make sure Oshie and Backstrom’s legacy endures well into the future. As the next in line to be captain after Alex Ovechkin retires, Wilson said what he learned from the two veterans has helped inform his decision-making and leadership.
“There’s obviously the core that’s been here and driven the culture for a long time,” Wilson said. “You can never replace Backe and guys like Osh, guys that are such quality people, character people. But what you can do is learn from them and take some of their qualities and morals and bring them to the room and try and be a better teammate. Those guys definitely made everybody around them better. So I think they’ll have a lasting impression for years to come and it’s our duty to keep that culture and keep that environment what it’s been for the last decade-plus.”
