T.J. Oshie stayed on the ice even after many of his Washington Capitals teammates left for the locker room after losing, which ended their playoff run.
His family was at all four games, including in New York, just in case. Those games could be his last in the NHL.
Oshie isn’t retiring yet, but the 37-year-old winger said on Tuesday that he and doctors need to find a solution to his ongoing back issues before he decides to return for a 17th season.
“I’d love to play next year, but I need to make sure my back won’t be a problem,” Oshie said. “It’s tough for everyone involved. I want to find a solution before I commit to playing again.”
Oshie dealt with back and other injuries during the regular season, playing in only 52 out of 82 games, and he played the last game of the series against the Rangers with a broken left hand.
“A broken hand is minor compared to my back issues,” Oshie said, mentioning how his back sometimes leaves him unable to move. “I have to do a lot of extra things to make sure my back is ready for an NHL game.”
Expecting Nicklas Backstrom to stay on long-term injured reserve due to a hip injury, general manager Brian MacLellan said the team will support Oshie with whatever decision he makes about his future. MacLellan doesn’t have a deadline for Oshie’s decision.
“If he decides he wants to come back and play, we’ll support him,” MacLellan said. “If not, we’ll figure it out.”
Oshie’s decision would impact the Capitals’ plans for the offseason, as they may need to use his $5.75 million salary space or find a replacement.
“He’s an important part of our team,” MacLellan said. “We either have him or we find someone else.”
Oshie, who reached 1,000 games and scored a crucial goal, has been a beloved teammate and fan favorite, serving as the emotional leader for almost a decade despite battling injuries.
“He’s a fighter,” said captain Alex Ovechkin. “He brings energy both on and off the ice. He’s respected by everyone, from the coaches to the fans and his teammates. He gives his all for the team.”
