It began with a dull ache that stretched along the outside of Brooks Orpik’s left hand, noticeable enough that the Washington Capitals defenseman began receiving treatment during the middle of last season. Even when the pain grew sharper last spring, Orpik received several cortisone shots and shrugged the issue aside. Just one more bump, although Orpik wasn’t sure when, where or how it happened. Eventually, he figured, rest, treatment and rehabilitation would fix the issue.
“As it went on,” he said, “[it] just progressively got worse.”
By the time Orpik began his usual summer training regimen, the wrist still felt fine, rested and relaxed after the Capitals exited the playoffs in the Eastern Conference semifinals.