Capitals 'expect' to place T.J. Oshie on long-term injury reserve to start 2024-25 season

The T.J. Oshie era could be over in DC, as the Capitals announced Wednesday that they expect to place their alternate captain on the long-term injury reserve list to start the season.

According to a team release, Oshie “completed his medical exam today, and his status is listed as injured,” and the team offered the following statements from Oshie and GM Chris Patrick:

"The last season was challenging for me, my family, and my teammates as I dealt with a chronic back injury that kept me out of the lineup. I have used the offseason to explore and pursue long-term solutions for my injury. I remain committed to the process and am working and doing my best to regain total health. In the meantime, I will continue to help and support my teammates and the organization in any way I can. I greatly appreciate all of our fans' support during this time.” –Oshie

“We will support and assist T.J. as he seeks a lasting solution for his recurring injury. T.J. is a vital member of our team and continues to be an indispensable member of the organization and leadership group. Our organization fully backs him as he assesses his current health challenges.” –Patrick

Oshie would be one of just four players left from the Stanley Cup Championship season, and he has 192 goals and 193 assists in 567 games since coming to DC for the 2015-16 season – and, last year, became the 12 ^th player to play in his 1,000 ^th NHL game as a Capital.

The 37-year-old-winger, who was a first-round pick of St. Louis in 2005, has 302 goals and 393 assists in 1,010 games over 16 years with the Blues and Caps, but he has struggled through chronic back injury in recent years, playing in just 154 of 246 possible games the last three seasons.

Moving Oshie to LTIR will also help the Caps’ salary cap issues, as they are $10.27 million over the cap per PuckPedia, but moving the cap hits of expiring contracts Oshie ($5.75 million) and Nicklas Backstrom ($9.2 million) will get them in compliance.

Patrick will address the media at 3 p.m. Thursday, as the Capitals officially open training camp, and will likely speak more on the situation.