Craig Laughlin, the Washington Capitals’ long-time color commentator, is preparing for a return to the booth.
Seven weeks after undergoing open-heart surgery, Laughlin announced on his social media accounts that he’s “officially off long-term injured reserve.”
“Feeling great and getting in game shape,” Laughlin wrote. “I’m gearing up to be back in the booth with @JoeBpXp and my @monsportsnet team!” He added, “Stay tuned…”
In a montage video, like he’s the Capitals’ broadcast equivalent of Rocky Balboa, the 67-year-old Laughlin posted himself running, shooting pucks into a net, and even doing crunches outside — something this blogger lost the ability to do a long time ago.
Laughlin’s long-time battery mate, the Emmy-winning Joe Beninati, replied to the video on X saying, “Well, isn’t this special!! Way to go, Lockaire!!”
During recent Capitals telecasts, Beninati has peppered in subtle yet encouraging updates about Laughlin’s recovery, never forgetting about his television partner and always treating him like family.
Laughlin has not been in the broadcast booth since January 18. Early the following week, Laughlin had open-heart surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve and a blocked left anterior descending artery. Thankfully, Locker’s feistiness never left him during the following recovery process. Alan May relayed that when Laughlin was first woken up from the surgery, he was asked where he was and replied, “at the damn hospital.”
While Laughlin’s possible return date is unknown as of now, he’s admitted that Alex Ovechkin’s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record and being back in the booth for that special moment has been a massive motivator in his recovery. Ovechkin, who wore a Locker Strong shirt the day of Laughlin’s surgery, now sits 6 goals away from history with 11 games remaining on the Capitals’ schedule after scoring against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night.
The Caps play the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul, completing their brief two-game road trip out west, and then return home on Sunday to face the Buffalo Sabres at 3 pm on Sunday. The game will begin the busiest stretch of the Capitals’ season, where they play 10 times in 18 days in April before the start of the postseason.
Despite many of the Caps’ end-of-year games being on national television, Laughlin’s pending return will guarantee his participation in Ovechkin’s historic goal call — if the magical moment happens this season. Monumental Sports Network came to an agreement with the NHL where the Capitals’ right holders will have the ability to do their own broadcasts for archival purposes, even if games are national only.
Capitals’ remaining TV schedule
Long-time Capitals analyst Alan May has served as color commentator during Laughlin’s absence. May arguably helped save Laughlin’s life after encouraging his close friend to get a full-body medical scan before the season.
