What Happened
The Washington Capitals announced Friday that defenceman Vincent Desharnais underwent a successful appendectomy and will be sidelined for four to six weeks. Desharnais, 30, signed a four-year, $16.8-million contract with Washington in July and has three points in nine games this season. The Capitals are 5-4-0 and fifth in the Metropolitan Division after a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.
Key Details
- Desharnais had a successful appendectomy, per the Capitals.
- Recovery timeline is four to six weeks.
- He has three points in nine games this season.
- He signed a four-year, $16.8-million deal in July.
- He is 30 and spent the previous two seasons with San Jose.
- Washington is 5-4-0, fifth in the Metropolitan Division.
What It Means
Desharnais had settled into the Washington lineup early in his first season with the club, and his absence removes a regular from a defence corps that is already dealing with injuries. The four-to-six-week window covers a meaningful stretch of the schedule, so the Capitals will need to fill his minutes internally or from outside the roster.
What's Next
Washington hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, its first game without Desharnais. The club has not announced a corresponding roster move.