Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny skated for the first time since March 20, when he left the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a torn hamstring after getting involved in a scrum with center Cedric Paquette. The 29-year old arrived in town earlier this week and was getting looked at by the medical staff on Thursday.

Kempny told the media on April 26 that he should be ready for training camp. He had surgery on April 2 and was expected to be out for 4-6 months.

He skated a few laps and took some shots from the point during the Capitals’ informal skate on Friday.

General Manager Brian MacLellan told the media on Thursday that “everything is positive for [Kempny] to start camp.”

Kempny seemed cautious regarding his injury in an interview on August 1, saying “The forecasts from the beginning were that it would take four to six months. I can’t say exactly how it will be. For me and Washington it is essential that I do not rush anything and be healthy all season. If I need time, I get it. This is very important to me. My injury was not the lightest. I want to be 100 percent.”

This is great news for the Capitals as no one could quite fill in for Kempny after he was injured late last season. As a result, the team’s defense struggled as it allowed 21 goals in seven games of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series loss against the Carolina Hurricanes and it was apparent that they missed Kempny.

By Harrison Brown

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