What's The Concern Level For Ovechkin's Injury To Open Capitals Training Camp?

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury and missed his third straight day of camp on Saturday.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin wasn’t on the ice for the third day of training camp, but he still made sure to get his exercise in.

Ovechkin was at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Saturday and putting work in off the ice, throwing around the medicine ball and getting in the gym. It’s a positive sign for the 40-year-old, who left the ice early on Thursday to be evaluated for a lower-body injury and has yet to take part in a practice.

That said, what’s the concern level for him?

“Nothing significant,” coach Spencer Carbery said on Thursday, while reiterating on Friday that there isn’t a lot of worry surrounding his status.

Ovechkin’s listed as day-to-day, and is mainly being held out as a precaution with it being early in camp. Think of it a bit as allowing an injury to heal fully, along with a bit of load management and maintenance.

The Russian winger is entering his 21st NHL season, one where he finally no longer has to deal with the pressure of a record chase. He does, however, sit three goals away from becoming the first player to hit 900, and is also facing questions regarding his future with it being the last year of his contract.

At this time, though, Ovechkin has made no decisions and is just staying in the present moment as the team looks to have him ready to go by the start of the season.