Capitals' Ryan Leonard to miss significant time with injury

The Washington Capitals will have to carry on without one of their best forwards.  The team announced on Sunday, Ryan Leonard is going to be out 'for an extended period of time'.

The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Bogdan Trineyev and goaltender Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). In addition, the Capitals have placed forward Ryan Leonard and goaltender Charlie Lindgren on Injured Reserve (IR). pic.twitter.com/5H0oGzubVL

— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) December 7, 2025

Leonard was hurt Friday night against the Anaheim Ducks, after he took a booming hit from Ducks' defenceman Jacob Trouba. Tom Wilson tried to fight Trouba afterwards, but as expected, he declined the fight.

Trouba with a MONSTER hit on Ryan Leonard who left the ice for repairs 😳 pic.twitter.com/7smXGucakm

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 6, 2025

Per the team release, the Capitals also placed goaltender Charlie Lindgren on IR, while announcing that forward Bogdan Trineyev and goaltender Clay Stevenson have been recalled from the AHL.

As for Leonard, he's been one of the Caps best players, and has been enjoying a coming out party this season. Leonard has seven goals and 18 points in 29 games, despite playing just 13:20 of ice-time per game.

Leonard was the eighth overall pick at the 2023 NHL draft and is a big part of the team's future. For now, he recovers from his upper-body injury, and Washington waits patiently for Leonard to return to the lineup.

photo credit:  David Gonzales-Imagn Images