Hagelin Has Surgery After Suffering ‘Serious’ Eye Injury At Capitals Practice

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said that Carl Hagelin underwent surgery on his eye after suffering a scary injury at Tuesday’s practice.

Hagelin was taking part in competition drills when he took a stick up high to his left eye. He was in visible discomfort and helped off the ice. The Capitals announced that Hagelin will be out indefinitely for Washington.

“It’s a serious eye injury,” MacLellan said. “I don’t know that we know the full extent of it yet… it’s to be determined what the next steps are here for him.”

MacLellan said that Hagelin is meeting with a different eye doctor on Wednesday. An earlier examination did show some positive signs, though, for No. 62.

“The vision part is the biggest concern. We were really worried last night,” MacLellan noted. “I don’t know, it’s sort of positive news that the examination went in the right direction. But it’s still to be determined on what the next steps are and what effect it’ll have on him.”

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Later on Wednesday, the Capitals will get together to discuss the team’s next steps, whether that be a call up or moving pieces around. Still, it’ll be a big void to fill, as Hagelin has played an integral role on the powerhouse fourth line of Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway. He is also Washington’s top penalty killer.

“We’ll figure [it] out. Obviously, we have to figure out the best solution to put on the line… we’re going to miss him,” MacLellan noted.

Head coach Peter Laviolette mentioned Wednesday that potential fits could be Brett Leason or Axel Jonsson-Fjallby from Hershey. The Bears play Charlotte on Wednesday.

Through 53 games this season, Hagelin has three goals and 11 assists. The 34-year-old Swede is in his 14th NHL season.