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08:10 AM ET 01.09 | Nicklas Backstrom has more than just a return to hockey riding on his health these days. As 10 of his teammates skated at KCI Tuesday morning, [Backstrom] watched part of the workout from the stick room hallway, clad in a winter coat and toque. The Swedish center's health is one of the biggest questions facing the Capitals heading into a shortened season, and just days away from the start of training camp, Backstrom's status remains uncertain. Backstrom suffered a neck injury after falling awkwardly into the boards during a game with Dynamo Moscow on Dec. 26. ... If Backstrom is not medically cleared by team doctors prior to the start of training camp, the Capitals will not have to pay his contract because he was injured during the lockout.

Nicklas Backstrom, Icon Sports

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January 9, 2013 08:29 AM ET

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Don't like to see anybody hurt but he assumed this risk when he went to mother russia

Garbage Man

Harrisburg , PA

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January 9, 2013 08:31 AM ET

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that's the breaks.

puttin on the foil

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January 9, 2013 08:37 AM ET

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Yikes. Neck injury?

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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January 9, 2013 08:44 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:29 AM ET 01.09 by Garbage Man

Don't like to see anybody hurt but he assumed this risk when he went to mother russia

"They bought their ticket....they KNEW the risk..."

Spiny Norman

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January 9, 2013 08:56 AM ET

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Caps need all the help they can get this year too. They need Backstrom firing on all cylinders if they expect to make any noise.

Puck082

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January 9, 2013 08:58 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:56 AM ET 01.09 by Puck082

Caps need all the help they can get this year too. They need Backstrom firing on all cylinders if they expect to make any noise.

meanwhile the Isles need divine intervention.

puttin on the foil

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January 9, 2013 09:02 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 08:58 AM ET 01.09 by puttin on the foil

meanwhile the Isles need divine intervention.

and more?

Spiny Norman

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January 9, 2013 09:03 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:56 AM ET 01.09 by Puck082

Caps need all the help they can get this year too. They need Backstrom firing on all cylinders if they expect to make any noise.

and a hope that Hotlby isn't this season's Jim Carey...or Varlamov...or any one of their other "one-hit-wonders

Spiny Norman

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January 9, 2013 09:06 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:02 AM ET 01.09 by Spiny Norman

and more?

Isles make the offs this year. Yeah, I went there.

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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January 9, 2013 09:07 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:03 AM ET 01.09 by Spiny Norman

and a hope that Hotlby isn't this season's Jim Carey...or Varlamov...or any one of their other "one-hit-wonders

He looked more Kolzig than Carey. Just my two cents.

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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January 9, 2013 09:16 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:06 AM ET 01.09 by dannylimes

Isles make the offs this year. Yeah, I went there.

They're still the 5th best team in the division, so it'd be awfully hard...

puttin on the foil

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January 9, 2013 09:24 AM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:16 AM ET 01.09 by puttin on the foil

They're still the 5th best team in the division, so it'd be awfully hard...

Isles need another defensemen! Lubo screwed us!!!

I'm not holding my breath this season. It's a shortened season which only means more games against teams in the division that typically spank us.

Then again, you never know.....

Puck082

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January 9, 2013 09:24 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:06 AM ET 01.09 by dannylimes

Isles make the offs this year. Yeah, I went there.

Would love to see it but I just don't see it happening. They don't have the defense to get there.

Puck082

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January 9, 2013 09:26 AM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:07 AM ET 01.09 by dannylimes

He looked more Kolzig than Carey. Just my two cents.

so did Varlamov and the other guy (name escapes me)
I'll admit though, he did look better than the rest of the carousel

Spiny Norman

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January 9, 2013 09:27 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:44 AM ET 01.09 by Spiny Norman

"They bought their ticket....they KNEW the risk..."

I wouldn't be surprised if we hear about more players with potential issues from playing overseas.

Hornets Hockey

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January 9, 2013 09:37 AM ET

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Oh no. Classy player, and I hate to see him hurt. Hope for a speedy recovery.

PensFanDealWithIt

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January 9, 2013 09:44 AM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:07 AM ET 01.09 by dannylimes

He looked more Kolzig than Carey. Just my two cents.

That's my thought. (and hope).

Slapshot

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January 9, 2013 09:46 AM ET

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Shame to hear about Nick. He's a solid guy with a great attitude. Hope things get better for him ASAP.

Slapshot

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January 9, 2013 09:53 AM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:16 AM ET 01.09 by puttin on the foil

They're still the 5th best team in the division, so it'd be awfully hard...

They could easily finish higher than Philly, and i'm pretty sure NJ isn't going to look like it did last season out there.

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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January 9, 2013 09:54 AM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 09:26 AM ET 01.09 by Spiny Norman

so did Varlamov and the other guy (name escapes me)I'll admit though, he did look better than the rest of the carousel

I was never sold on Varlamov. I don't think he's terrible, but he wasn't a superstar. Holtby was hands down winning games on his own for Washington. THAT is what makes a superstar goalie.