6 Michal Kempny D

Kempny (Achilles) skated on his own prior to Friday's practice, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Kempny underwent surgery to repair his Achilles tendon in October and isn't expected to be ready to return until April at the earliest, but it's nonetheless an encouraging sign that he's already begun skating on his own. The 30-year-old blueliner picked up 18 points in 58 games last campaign.

Kempny has undergone successful surgery on his Achilles tendon and will miss the next 6-8 months.

The 30-year-old blueliner reportedly suffered the injury while training in his native Czech Republic. The timetable for Kempny's return rules him out until sometime between April and June, so depending on the NHL schedule for next season, it's possible that he could miss the entire campaign. Kempny recorded 19 points in 58 games last season while skating to a plus-19.

Kempny won't suit up for Sunday's Game 3 versus the Islanders, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Kempny served as a healthy scratch as recently as March, and he'll do so again Sunday. The Capitals desperately need a win, so they've shuffled the lines and Kempny will watch from the press box. Jonas Siegenthaler will also sit out, and Radko Gudas and Martin Fehervary will slot into the lineup.

Kempny registered an assist, two shots and six hits during Sunday's 2-1 round-robin win over the Bruins.

Kempny averaged 14:29 of ice time during the round robin but is expected to see the ice more once he is reunited on a pairing with Norris Trophy-finalist John Carlson (undisclosed). The Capitals are counting on the Czech defender to once again be a key cog on their blue line in Round 1 against the Islanders.

Kempny took part in Tuesday's practice, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Kempny was absent from opening day of Phase 3 training camp, but his return Tuesday should ease concerns about potential health problems. The 29-year-old registered three goals, 18 points and a plus-19 rating while averaging 18:38 of ice time in 58 games during the 2019-20 regular season and is expected to be a regular presence in Washington's lineup during the postseason.

Kempny will sit as a healthy scratch for the first time this season Wednesday against the Flyers, NHL.com's Tom Gulitti reports.

Coach Todd Reirden apparently just wants Kempny to "get a reset," so the 29-year-old blueliner likely won't be out of the lineup for long. He won't have to wait long for his next opportunity to rejoin the action, as the Capitals will be right back at it Thursday against the Rangers. The former Blackhawks has notched 17 points while posting a plus-13 rating in 55 games this campaign.

Kempny recorded three shots on net and a plus-2 rating across 23:10 in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Kings.

Despite not posting a point in nine straight games, Kempny has maintained a decent floor in that stretch for fantasy purposes with a plus-7 rating and 15 shots on goal. The 29-year-old defenseman continues to work on the top pairing alongside John Carlson, but Kempny's fantasy value is reserved for deeper redraft leagues.

Kempny posted an assist in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Flyers.

Kempny has exactly one helper in each of the last three games. The Czech blueliner is up to 16 points, 39 shots on goal, 53 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating through 35 contests this season.

Kempny registered an assist and three blocked shots during Tuesday's 6-1 victory over the Senators.

Kempny has helpers in consecutive games but has only managed four points in his last 21 contests overall. The 29-year-old is a key member of the Capitals defense corps and figures to get plenty of ice time moving forward but remains an unreliable fantasy asset unless he can become a more consistent offensive producer.

Kempny (illness) was on the ice for Monday's practice, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Kempny skated alongside Radko Gudas on the third defense pairing, filling in for Christian Djoos (upper body). The 29-year-old appears poised to return for Tuesday's showdown against the Islanders.

Kempny (illness) will miss Saturday's road game against Carolina, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Kempny did not make the trip to Raleigh and will miss his second straight game with an illness. The Capitals don't play again until Tuesday versus the Islanders, and one would assume Kempny will be good to go for that contest. In 30 games this season, the 29-year-old defenseman has three goals, 10 assists, 17 hits and 45 blocked shots.

Kempny (illness) will not play in Friday's game against the Blue Jackets, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

Kempny came down with a bug and will leave the Caps with just six available blueliners with teammate Radko Gudas (illness) set to tough it out. The blueliner won't have to wait long for his next chance to dress with another game on tap Saturday versus Carolina.

Kempny (illness) will be a game-time decision for Friday's clash with Columbus.

Radko Gudas is also under the weather, so the Capitals are in serious danger of being shorthanded on the back end against Columbus. Kempny's status for Friday's contest will be determined once Washington takes the ice for pregame warmups.

Kempny provided an assist, two shots on goal, a pair of blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Sharks.

Kempny had the lone helper on John Carlson's goal to make it 3-1 in the first period. Kempny had not recorded a point in his previous nine games entering Tuesday. Despite the dry spell, the 29-year-old has 12 points, 33 blocked shots and a plus-13 rating through 21 appearances this season.

Kempny tallied an assist while logging 21:55 of ice time during Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Coyotes.

Kempny continues his sizzling start with 11 points in as many games since missing the start of the season rehabbing a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old is a solid fantasy asset at the moment, so roster him if you can.

Kempny had three assists and was plus-3 in Friday's 6-1 victory over the Sabres.

Kempny helped set up half of Washington's goals in this one, picking up one apple in each period. Kempny missed the first eight games of the season with an injury, but he has hit the ground running since his return by racking up three goals and five assists in his first seven games. It's a nice start for the 29-year-old, who had a career-high 25 points last season.

Kempny scored twice on three shots and added four PIM in Friday's 6-5 shootout win over the Canucks.

The Capitals trailed by four goals at one point, but Kempny's pair of tallies leveled the score at five. He has three goals and five points in five games since returning from his hamstring injury that cost him the first eight games of the campaign. If fantasy owners were worried about taking Kempny in a draft, he's giving little reason for concern now that he's playing.

Kempny has posted a goal, two assists and a plus-3 rating in three games since returning from a hamstring injury.

Kempny has also added two shots, two hits and six blocked shots while averaging 17:48 of ice time. The 29-year-old was in the midst of a career season offensively in 2018-19 before injuring his hamstring late in the season and appears to have picked up right where he left off. Reunited with John Carlson on the top defensive pairing, the Czech blueliner should get a heavy workload and might be worth a gander in standard leagues while he's hot.

Kempny (hamstring) scored a goal on his lone shot and had two PIM with one blocked shot in Friday's 5-2 win over the Rangers.

Offseason hamstring surgery kept Kempny out of the lineup for Washington's first eight games, but he returned Friday with a nice performance. The 29-year-old logged just over 14 minutes of ice time in his first game back but that total should climb going forward. Kempny has never been a big point producer, but had a nice 2018-19 campaign with 25 points and a plus-24 rating.

Kempny (hamstring) will be in the lineup Friday against the Rangers, JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Kempny has missed the first eight games of the campaign while recovering from offseason hamstring surgery but will make his long-awaited return just in time to take on a loathed division rival. The 29-year-old is likely to skate on the third pairing with Radko Gudas on Friday, but fantasy owners are advised to monitor his minutes and production, as his offensive game is likely to take some time to establish after such a long layoff.