While it may have not been an ideal scenario, the Capitals don’t sound overly worried about Ovechkin heading into next week’s season opener.
“Him being out there and practising is a pretty big indicator that it’s not too serious,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery told reporters, per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News. “It’s not wanting to push it if it’s not quite 100 per cent at this point before the season.”
The Capitals continue to list Ovechkin, 41, as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
“He came out and gave it a try, but we just want to be cautious with it at this point. Not pushing it,” Carbery said.
The Capitals have two more exhibition games before their season opener on Oct. 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Ovechkin played all 82 games last season, registering 32 goals and 32 assists.
He signed a one-year deal to remain with the Capitals in July.
Ovechkin will earn a $1-million salary with bonuses worth an additional $8 million—including $4.75 million if he plays 10 games. The contract counts just $4.25 million against the cap after Washington made plenty of use of its substantial salary cap space.
— with files from The Associated Press