Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon he suffered during training in the Czech Republic, the team announced Tuesday. Kempny is expected to be out 6-8 months.
The latest injury is a huge blow for the 30-year old, who missed the end of the 2018-19 season and the playoffs with a torn hamstring. The injury also forced him to miss the start of last season. He never quite seemed 100 percent.
The 2020-21 NHL season won’t start until at least Dec. 1, but, the Capitals will have to work around not having a capable blue-liner such as Kempny. Even while being hampered with a hamstring injury, he still posted a plus-19 rating in 58 games with three goals and 15 assists.
His loss essentially makes re-signing Brenden Dillon a given for the Capitals, who will be looking to redeem themselves following back-to-back first-round playoff exits.
Washington acquired Kempny from Chicago in a deal ahead of the trade deadline in 2018. He was imperative in their run to the Stanley Cup title that season. However, injuries will now have affected him a third straight season since.
Kempny is in the third year of a four-year deal that pays him an annual average salary of $2.5 million. The Capitals, who have limited cap space entering free agency, can create more by placing Kempny on long-term injured reserve.
