The Capitals are awaiting word on Joel Edmundson, who suffered an upper-body injury in Sunday's non-game group scrimmage.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals will be watching their blueliners closely and are holding their breath as they await word on Joel Edmundson, who suffered an injury on Sunday.
Edmundson will not skate on Tuesday and is being evaluated for an upper-body injury. He was hurt in Sunday's non-game group scrimmage at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The medical team doesn't know the severity of the injury at this time.
Meanwhile, Trevor van Riemsdyk, who left Sunday's preseason opener against the Buffalo Sabres, is skating with Group A and is fine after blocking a shot with his right hand/wrist on Tuesday.
Van Riemsdyk suffered the injury in the third period of Sunday's 4-3 preseason shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He was in the defensive zone and blocked a shot with his right hand/wrist, and did not put his hand back on his stick for the rest of the shift. After Zach Benson scored on the same shift, he went straight to the bench and down the tunnel and did not return.
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Edmundson would be a tough loss for Washington, as he rounds out a strong shutdown third pairing for D.C. He is known for punishing players in the crease and for his physical grit and battle.
However, it would allow for more opportunity for the team's up-and-coming defensemen. Alex Alexeyev, who went into camp as the likely seventh defenseman, could get a full-time role now come opening night. Vincent Iorio, who helped lead Hershey to the Calder Cup, could also very well start the season up in D.C. Lucas Johansen and Chase Priskie are other names to keep an eye on.
For now, the Capitals will hope that they can otherwise remain healthy after suffering the fifth-most man games lost due to injury last season (452).