Capitals’ T.J. Oshie to be placed on LTIR for 2024-25 season

The Washington Capitals have announced that winger T.J. Oshie will be placed on long-term injured reserve for the 2024-25 season.

Oshie had been dealing with chronic back issues throughout the 2023-24 season, leaving his status for 2024-25 up in the air during most of the offseason, although many believed that he would be placed on LTIR, which is now the case.

“The last season was challenging for me, my family, and my teammates as I dealt with a chronic back injury that kept me out of the lineup,” said Oshie. “I have used the offseason to explore and pursue long-term solutions for my injury. I remain committed to the process and am working and doing my best to regain total health. In the meantime, I will continue to help and support my teammates and the organization in any way I can. I greatly appreciate all of our fans’ support during this time.”

It is unclear as to what Oshie’s availability will be like closer to the end of the season, especially if the Capitals find themselves in the playoffs. However, with Oshie turning 38 in December, there’s also a strong possibility that this could it for his career.

“We will support and assist T.J. as he seeks a lasting solution for his recurring injury,” said Capitals senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick. “T.J. is a vital member of our team and continues to be an indispensable member of the organization and leadership group. Our organization fully backs him as he assesses his current health challenges.”

Oshie only played 52 games last season due to his back issues, with just 12 goals, 13 assists and 25 points, which ties his lowest point total in a non-shortened season. He also had one assist in four playoff games as the Caps were swept in the first round by the New York Rangers.

Oshie is in the final year of an eight-year contract with a $5.75 million cap hit, and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Oshie was the 24th overall pick by the St. Louis Blues in the 2005 NHL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Blues before he was dealt to Washington in the 2015 offseason, where he’s since spent the past nine seasons, winning a Stanley Cup with the team in 2018.

The Capitals will look to make the playoffs for a second straight year without the help of Oshie. They did make a few big swings to do so, including trading for Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane, Jakob Chychrun and Logan Thompson, as well as signing Matt Roy, Brandon Duhaime, Taylor Raddysh and Ethan Bear, and even giving former Cap Jakub Vrana a professional tryout. Once Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom’s contracts get placed on LTIR, the Caps will have over $5.5 million in salary cap space, with no remaining restricted free agents.