The defenseman was at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Wednesday for a physical, and general manager Brian MacLellan said he is optimistic Kempny will receive the go-ahead when camp begins Sept. 13.
"Everything is positive for him to start camp," MacLellan said. "I'll find out from (athletic trainer Jason Serbus) today … but everything so far has been positive that he's good to go."
Kempny was injured while wrestling with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette on March 20. The Capitals announced April 2 that Kempny's recovery was expected to take 4-6 months after he had surgery to repair his hamstring, which tore off the bone in his leg.
"I just felt (a) pop in my leg and I felt really big pain," Kempy said April 26 after the Capitals were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Kempy, who turns 29 on Sept. 8, had NHL career highs of six goals, 19 assists and 25 points in 71 games last season before he was injured. Having him healthy for the start of this season would be a big boost for Washington.
"He's got to get through camp, too," MacLellan said. "I think that's the biggest challenge for him, get through camp and be 100 percent healthy through that."
Forward T.J. Oshie said Monday he will be
ready for the start of camp
after recovering from a fractured right clavicle he sustained in Game 4 against Carolina.
