Leonard taking contact again so soon suggests he could be back in game action well before his announced projected recovery timeline of three to four weeks. "Yeah, just another step in his progression to coming back," head coach Spencer Carbery said Friday afternoon. "Moves into now where he's able to get in and around other players, take a little bit of contact, so he'll just continue to progress."
📸: Alan Dobbins/RMNB ARLINGTON, VA - The Capitals will go without rookie Ryan Leonard for the foreseeable future after he sustained an upper-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Head coach Spencer Carbery offered an update on Leonard's status on Sunday morning, though he noted the team doesn't have a full sense of his timeline just yet. "Ryan will see the doctors today," Carbery said. "He's going to miss an extended period of time."
"I mean, I don't want to get too much into it," Tom Wilson said postgame. "I honestly haven't slowed it down, watched it, and analyzed it. I could see it coming. [Trouba] knows exactly what he's doing. Kid's in a vulnerable spot, and obviously, Leno's pretty banged up. I asked him to fight, he said no, and we'll leave it at that."
I know if we need a goal he's going to be out there without a doubt but in defensive situations where we have to protect a lead I want to see strong wall play, I want to see him in the right position, good sticks, all the things that are required to not necessarily be a penalty kill guy but to be someone that can play the last five minutes early in your career defending a 3-2 lead and I thought he earned that opportunity.
Plus: Despite not recording a point, Ryan Leonard stood out. The 20-year-old was buzzing all night with seven shots on goal, and a particularly excellent shift towards the end of the third where he led a flurry that ended with a Rasmus Sandin goal aided by his screen in front. For a team looking for a spark offensively, this was an encouraging sign.
Get a look at the kids at the Naval Academy and some space to talk amongst yourselves. Probably (hopefully?) our last open thread for a bit, as the Caps hit the ice for training camp in less than a week...but for now, please just enjoy Ryan Leonard vs. Cam Allen yesterday on the Naval Academy obstacle course (and don't worry, we all hate the ropes, Leno):
