Michal Kempny

Kempny has a big hill to climb to get back to regular ice time in 2021-22. He missed all of last season with a torn Achilles which was the second massive injury he's suffered since the Capitals' 2018 Cup win. In 2019, he tore his hamstring. Kempny needs to get up to game speed fast and that will be tough, both because of the rust from missed time and the new system he needs to learn. Remember -- he hasn't played for head coach Peter Laviolette or his assistant who runs the defenders. The Caps need Kempny to fill holes on their blue line, but you don't. There's no power-play time for him and he won't deliver hits or blocked shots. Let him play and enjoy his effort if you're a Washington fan. Or if you like great comeback stories.