Capitals’ Hagelin, Orlov Discuss Return, Thoughts On COVID-19 Protocol

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Carl Hagelin and Dmitry Orlov both texted each other when they found out they were clear to play on Sunday for the Washington Capitals after spending the last week on COVID-19 protocol. They drew in right away and helped fill the voids left by Conor Sheary and John Carlson, who replaced them on that list.

Orlov was able to hit the ice for 10 minutes, while Hagelin didn’t get to have a morning skate. Still, both had decent showings in their first game back with the Capitals after a long layoff, in which they spent a lot of time working out at home and were, fortunately, asymptomatic.

“Just basically work out at home and just wait for result when it’s gonna be good. When we found, I think we was both excited, we text each other when it came out, ‘Let’s go,’ you know?”

Hagelin said the experience was a bit frustrating considering he had to sit out while he felt 100 percent.

“It’s one of those things, everyone’s going to get it and you’re missing games but feeling really good,” Hagelin explained. “In a normal year, you’ll play every game, even though you feel terrible some games. That’s part of it, and you’re hoping they’ll change some of these rules going forward. I guess the good thing is there’s a lot of guys who’ve had it now.”

READ MORE ON WHN: Takeaways From Capitals’ 4-2 Loss To Canucks

Per the NHL’s latest protocols, both only had to be out for five days since they didn’t have any symptoms. Hagelin added despite the long time away, he was able to pick back up on things and get back into it quickly.

“I think after a couple shifts, you start feeling better and better,” he noted. “It’s always hard when you haven’t skated once since [getting] COVID and you get on the ice for an afternoon game. But there’s no excuses; everyone’s going through it and you learn from it and you’ll play better next game.”

Orlov said that he also felt decent getting back into action, but also had his own perspective on the protocol.

“I think I feel good. And it just kind of feel same thing when you come out from break, All-Star break or whatever, like when you don’t skate for five days because you don’t have any symptoms, you know… sucks to don’t have symptoms,” Orlov said. “It’s like you sick, we understand. But when you don’t have anything it’s just frustrating. It’s kind of just the norm and I think a lot of people in the league feel the same way. I think tough to figure out, you know? People with terrible flu in locker rooms without the masks and fever and still playing. And right now, it’s tough. You can complain about everything but it is what it is.”