Sonny Milano's eager to put the last year behind him, with all focus and effort going into this training camp, which also marks the year of his final season under contract with the Washington Capitals.

Milano missed all but three games last season after suffering an upper-body injury that held him out long-term, and then dealing with a setback that halted his return later in the year. Since then, he's been rehabilitating and trending in the right direction, and he's looking strong as training camp looms.

"He's preparing to be a player for us at training camp," general manager Chris Patrick said of Milano earlier this offseason, adding, "He's excited, he's ready to go."

The 29-year-old was on the ice Thursday at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, getting in some work with John Carlson, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Logan Thompson as informal skates continue. Milano's vision and hockey IQ are his biggest qualities, but he was also showcasing his quick hands and impressive skating ability and speed.

Milano is in an interesting spot going into training camp. Last year's camp didn't go the way he'd planned, but he got the benefit of the doubt and started the year in the lineup. Before being injured in November, though, he dealt with a handful of healthy scratches as he struggled to find his footing.

Now, he's on a mission to win back his spot, but faces heavy competition. Prospect Andrew Cristall, coming off one of the most dominant seasons in WHL history, is gunning to make the NHL roster out of camp, and fringe players Ivan Miroshnichenko and Hendrix Lapierre, the latter of who lost his spot last season, are looking for their full-time NHL opportunity.

Hendrix Lapierre Putting In Work, Looking Strong Ahead Of Capitals Camp Washington Capitals prospect Hendrix Lapierre has been putting in quite a bit of work this offseason, and it looks like it's paying off.

While it won't be an easy path for Milano, these sessions certainly show a step in the positive direction.