The Washington Capitals are welcoming quite a few new faces to the mix this season, but they're still waiting on word regarding one of their most important veterans: T.J. Oshie.
Oshie's future in D.C. still hangs in the balance as he ponders whether or not to continue playing. While his heart is still in the game, the 37-year-old has been battling chronic back pain that has hindered him on and off the ice for years.
"It's different than just being sore. A broken hand is like a hangnail compared to what I go through with my back," Oshie said back in May. "If I'm in a state where I can't play, I'm usually literally on the floor, peeing in water bottles. It sucks when that happens, and I can't pick up kids or do any of that until I go see (my chiropractor)."
Oshie provided an update on his back midway through the summer, saying that the list of long-term solutions for his pain was dwindling. He also acknowledged that if he couldn't find a permanent fix to the issue, he would likely have to step away.
With just over two weeks to go until the start of training camp, the Capitals are still waiting on word regarding Oshie's next steps.
"It's still kind of up in the air," general manager Chris Patrick told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "I think training camp is kind of our timeline to see where he's at."
For Oshie, the key date for him will be Sept. 18, when the veterans undergo physicals and off-ice testing prior to on-ice sessions. It is also possible he could join the team for informal skates ahead of camp to feel things out, though he has not been on the ice yet.
Oshie was limited to just 52 games last season, but still had 12 goals and 13 assists while playing a vital role as a key locker room presence and leader.
For head coach Spencer Carbery, the hope is that Oshie can return, but if he doesn't, it will open up a vacancy on the roster that several young players can compete for.
"We know what that means to our team," Carbery told Gulitti regarding the possibility of Oshie's return. "It's a huge boost, not only on the ice, but off the ice. Everybody knows how much he means to this organization and what he's able to bring for us as a team, and he showed that last year.
"Then, if he's not able to play, it's going to be some more opportunity."
