Spencer Carbery comments on Ryan Leonard's situation

Late in the first period Friday, Leonard curled behind the Anaheim net and met Trouba's shoulder flush, high, and blindside.

Leonard left bloodied, was ruled out with an upper body injury, and the initial major penalty on Trouba disappeared after review.

After practice Sunday, Spencer Carbery did not bother hiding his frustration with the play or the league's response. He said he understood the rulebook, but insisted the key is head contact and that Leonard was in a very vulnerable spot.

Carbery's bigger point landed even harder than his words about Trouba himself, that the NHL simply has to do more about headshots. Coming from a coach who watched a 20 year old rookie get blasted, that criticism carries weight, especially given Trouba's long history of borderline hits.

On Leonard, Carbery said the winger will see team doctors Sunday and is going to miss an extended period of time. He called it part of the adversity that comes with the National Hockey League, but admitted the timing is unfortunate and probably frustrating.

The frustrating part for Washington is how far Leonard had come in just a week, from prospect buzz to nightly driver. He exploded for four points against San Jose on Wednesday, giving him 18 points through 28 games and eight in his last six.

This is the 2023 eighth overall pick, a 20 year old right wing who brings speed, edge, and fearless net drives.

He helps Washington exit cleanly, hounds pucks on the forecheck, and has become a problem creator every time he crosses the offensive blue line.

With Leonard and Charlie Lindgren now on injured reserve, the Capitals have turned to Bogdan Trineyev and Clay Stevenson for immediate help.

Sonny Milano probably jumps into Leonard's wing spot, but replicating his straight line chaos and scoring touch will take a full committee.

Carbery framed the moment as a lesson in hardship, yet his tone made clear he wants the league to rethink what is acceptable contact.