Capitals' Desharnais to Miss 4-6 Weeks After Appendectomy
Vincent Desharnais underwent an emergency appendectomy Thursday and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Coach Spencer Carbery called the loss a huge hole on Washington's second defense pair and penalty kill. Desharnais had been averaging a career-high 19:24 while posting a team-best plus-9.
Washington learned Friday that Vincent Desharnais needed an emergency appendectomy the previous day. He had taken part in a full practice Wednesday, then stayed overnight in a hospital and returned home Thursday morning; Spencer Carbery said no symptoms had preceded the issue.
The defenseman had been handling a career-high 19:24 per game, including over three minutes shorthanded, while paired with Martin Fehervary. Across nine games he recorded three assists, 22 hits, 18 blocks and a plus-9. He joined Washington as a free agent on a four-year, $16.8 million contract after the club had previously explored a trade for him.
The absence could affect Washington’s defensive rotation and penalty-kill stability, potentially increasing pressure on teammates and altering the coach’s deployment. Fans may see a less experienced blue line and changed matchups, while early-season results could shift. For Desharnais, recovery may temporarily disrupt his first season with a new club, and it may remind the wider sports community how suddenly health issues can interrupt athletic careers.