2 More Capitals Undergo Surgery, 5 Now Recovering From Major Procedures

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals will be without quite a few pieces to open the season, as Carl Hagelin and Kody Clark are the latest players to undergo surgery.

Hagelin underwent an arthroscopic surgical procedure to address a chronic left hip injury on Monday. He will be out indefinitely, per the team. He had already been attempting a comeback from a ruptured choroid that permanently took away part of his vision and altered his depth perception. The 34-year-old was taking part in informal skates ahead of training camp with an oversized visor.

Meanwhile, prospect Kody Clark underwent surgery to address a chronic left quad tendon injury. He will head to the AHL’s Hershey Bears to continue his recovery but will miss 6-8 months. Clark was one of Washington’s training camp attendees. The injury had been lingering.

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That makes five Capitals who are currently recovering from major surgeries. In addition to Hagelin and Clark, Nicklas Backstrom is rehabilitating after hip resurfacing surgery, he had in June an experimental procedure that has proven difficult to come back from. Tom Wilson, meanwhile, is out until late November/early December as he recovers and comes back from surgery to repair a torn ACL that he suffered in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers. Prospect Alex Alexeyev is also rehabilitating from shoulder surgery he underwent in June. He has been skating and is expected back this month or next.

These are all major losses for the organization. Backstrom and Wilson are key members of the top-6 who have made a major impact on the forecheck. Meanwhile, Hagelin has been a vital part of the penalty kill and the powerhouse fourth line with Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway. Alexeyev and Clark are vital prospects who have made statements with Hershey, and Alexeyev is poised to make the NHL jump sooner rather than later.