What to watch as training camp begins
The Washington Capitals open training camp Thursday with a familiar group of veteran players at the forefront. Washington made minimal transactions in the offseason as it continues to trust its core.
Washington will open its six-game preseason slate Sunday at Capital One Arena against the Boston Bruins. The Capitals’ season opener is Oct. 13 at home against the New York Rangers.
Here are five things to watch as training camp unfolds.
What is the status of Nicklas Backstrom?
Nicklas Backstrom, 33, has not participated in the team’s latest informal workouts ahead of training camp. General Manager Brian MacLellan told reporters after the postseason Backstrom had a nagging injury late in the year that “got worse and he struggled to be at 100%.” A report from Swedish outlet Aftonbladet stated Backstrom had a hip issue, which prevented him from going to the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
At the time, it was unclear if Backstrom needed surgery. However, in late July, MacLellan said only one player in the organization had offseason surgery — John Carlson, who needed a minor knee procedure.
Backstrom, who is entering his 15th NHL season, underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his hip in 2015 and missed the first three games of the 2015-16 season.
The team has yet to announce anything official on Backstrom’s status for training camp, though he was on the official roster released earlier this week. Backstrom led the team offensively through the first half of Washington’s 2020-21 campaign before a late-season decline. He only recorded one point, an assist, in the Capitals’ first-round playoff series against Boston.
How does Michal Kempny look?
Michal Kempny is coming off multiple injuries over the past two years. He had surgery to repair a torn Achilles’ tendon in October 2020 and his rehab timeline was about six to eight months. He was able to get back on the ice this April and practice with his teammates for the first time since his injury.
He previously tore his hamstring in March 2019, an injury that kept him out for six and a half months.
Kempny has not played in an NHL game since Aug. 14, 2020.
Kempny is expected to be a full-go for training camp. He is entering the final year of his four-year, $10 million deal. If Kempny is back up to speed, he could be an option on the left side of any defensive pairings. However, that move could likely push out top prospect Martin Fehervary — a player who Capitals management has continued to express needs a full-time NHL role — out of the lineup.
“It’s a small thing for me to wear cleats representing 9/11 and the recent terrorist attack,” Cardona said. “It means a lot to me personally to be able to go out on the field and pay tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Cardona said it was “an easy ask” to work with a fellow former Navy football player and came away highly impressed with Wade’s craftsmanship. While the custom-designed footwear would seem to fit well with the My Cause, My Cleats program, Cardona was aware the NFL closely monitors each player’s uniform to ensure every element is in keeping with established standards.
“If the NFL wants to fine me for wearing cleats that commemorate 9/11 and honor fallen service members, I will gladly accept that fine,” Cardona said.
After wearing the special cleats in the season opener against the Dolphins, Cardona planned to auction them off for a charitable cause.
Wade played linebacker and defensive end for the Navy football program and lettered during the 2003 season. He served as a ground supply officer in the Marine Corps and deployedtwicetoAfghanistanandoncetoIraq.
After leaving the Marine Corps in 2012, he went to work for the Packaging Corporation of America and is currently purchasing manager for the mill in Valdosta, Georgia.
“I’m looking to keep this side hustle going and hoping to find more players to make cleats for,” Wade said. “It’s really awesome when your work is on the NFL stage and on television.”
Chasing the dream
Former Navy football standout Sean Williams still has hopes of playing in the NFL.
Williams, defensive captain of the 2018 team, has stayed in shape while putting out feelers to professional teams. The Memphis, Tennessee, native received an opportunity this past summer when he was invited to try out for the New England Patriots at the start of training camp.
Head coach Bill Belichick chose not to sign Williams as a free agent, but the two-time honorable mention All-American Athletic Conference selection felt he performed well and was encouraged by the tryout.
“I was as close as I’ve ever come to realizing that dream,” Williams said. “I’ve come too close to give up now. I have way too much invested. I feel like I’m about to break through the ice sometime soon.”
Williams is a surface warfare officer assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN78), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia. He made a request through his chain of command to try out for the Patriots and was allowed to take leave time to do so.
The 2019 Naval Academy graduate has worked hard to stay in football playing shape.
“I trained at almost every moment possible,” he said. “Every time we would return home to port, I would hit up my personal trainers. If we were out to sea, I’d been in a storeroom doing workouts or running on the flight deck.”
Navy football podcast
Former Navy football players Eric Kettani and Keenan Reynolds are co-hosting a podcast focused solely on Navy football.
Two of the most outstanding offensive players of the triple-option era deliver their insights and analysis about the program on the podcast titled “Bleav in Navy Football.”
Kettani was a standout fullback for the Midshipmen 2006-08 and played in the NFL for the New England Patriots, Washington Football Team, Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Reynolds was a four-year starting quarterback for Navy from 2012-15, is the program’s all-time leading rusher 4,559 career yards and holds the Football Bowl Subdivision record with 88 rushing touchdowns.