Caps' Oshie to be positioned on LTIR with again difficulty

Washington Capitals ahead T.J. Oshie will likely be positioned on long-term injured reserve for the 2024-25 NHL season due to a power again difficulty, the workforce introduced on Wednesday.

The membership’s resolution got here following Oshie’s medical examination on the Capitals’ opening day of coaching camp. Oshie’s again difficulty — which has saved him out and in of Washington’s lineup for years — progressed to the stage the place he and the workforce felt it was time he stepped away from the ice.

“The final season was difficult for me, my household, and my teammates…I’ve used the offseason to discover and pursue long-term options for my harm,” Oshie, 37, stated in an announcement. “I stay dedicated to the method and am working and doing my greatest to regain whole well being. Within the meantime, I’ll proceed to assist and help my teammates and the group in any manner I can. I tremendously admire all of our followers’ help throughout this time.”

The again issues — amongst different accidents — restricted Oshie to only 52 video games final yr, and he hasn’t appeared in a minimum of 60 video games since 2019-20. Oshie’s manufacturing has, in flip, been on the decline — he tallied simply 25 factors final yr — and Washington has subsequently been prioritizing its ongoing youth motion. Nonetheless, Oshie was hopeful there can be extra enjoying days forward of him.

“I would like to play subsequent yr, however I might want to come again with considerably of a assure that my again will not be [in the way],” Oshie stated in April. “It is onerous placing everybody via the scenario. I would like to search out simply a solution and a repair to the issue earlier than I make one other run at it.”

Oshie had a minor double ablation process accomplished on his again in 2023 to attempt to relieve among the ache he was experiencing however finally known as it a “short-term repair factor” and his issues continued. He’d additionally been working carefully with Dr. Kerry Johnson of Johnson Spinal Care in Minnesota to assist him keep wholesome sufficient to play.

What Oshie has been going via has grow to be more and more debilitating. Oshie described being in such ache he might solely lie on the ground and pee into water bottles. The daddy of 4 is continuously left unable to even choose up his youngsters. High quality of life performed a think about Washington preserving Oshie off its roster shifting ahead.

“We’ll help and help T.J. as he seeks an enduring answer for his recurring harm,” Capitals’ GM Chris Patrick stated in an announcement. “T.J. is an important member of our workforce and continues to be an indispensable member of the group and management group. Our group totally backs him as he assesses his present well being challenges.”

Oshie had shied away earlier than from speaking particularly about retirement amid his ongoing points. However it was noticeable that, when Washington was swept from the postseason by the New York Rangers this previous April, he lingered on the ice after his different teammates had been gone.

“I am 37 years previous now. You simply by no means know,” Oshie stated then. “You need to have a good time and savor these moments.”

Oshie has one yr remaining on his present contract, carrying a $5.75 million cap hit.