While their teammates spent the weekend winning games in Atlanta and New York, Capitals forwards Michael Nylander and Tomas Fleischmann were toiling in the minors as they work their way back to the NHL.
Well, at least in Fleischmann’s case. The 25-year-old was cleared to practice last week after missing all of training camp and the first three weeks of the season with a blood clot in his left leg. Fleischmann needed game action to shake off the rust and so he played two games with AHL affiliate Hershey.
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His first taste of game action wasn’t great. Fleischmann was on the ice for three goals against in a 5-2 loss. He rebounded with the primary assist in a 3-2 win over Portland on Sunday, but it’s obvious Fleischmann needs more time. Unfortunately, the Bears don’t play again until Friday so he’s still likely a week away from returning.
Things aren’t so simple for Nylander, of course, because Washington doesn’t actually want him back. The team’s third-highest paid player instead is on loan to Grand Rapids — the Detroit Red Wings’ AHL affiliate — so teams in Europe and the rest of the NHL can see what kind of condition he’s in.
The 37-year-old looked pretty good with five assists while playing three games in three days. The one game where he didn’t score, Nylander notched a goal in the shootout. His stint in Grand Rapids expires next Wednesday so both sides hope his performance is enough to entice a trade or loan.
