On March 20, Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny tore his left hamstring against the Tampa Bay Lightning and was announced out for the season.
Brought in last year near the trade deadline, Kempny stabilized the Capitals defensive corps and gave John Carlson a bonafide left-handed shot to play with on the blue line.
Carlson, and Kempny, became a sturdy top-pair and helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup last season. For his contributions, he signed a four-year, 10 million dollar contract to stay in Washington. He credited coach Todd Reirden with potentially saving his teetering career in the NHL.