By Tarik El-Bashir
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 13, 2009

It was the type of hit that rugged Washington Capitals defenseman John Erskine normally would shake off. But this one, delivered by Minnesota Wild winger Antti Miettinen to the back of Erskine's helmet Nov. 24 at Xcel Energy Center, was different.

"It was weird," Erskine said. "With other concussions, I had headaches. With that little hit, I just felt off-balance."

Miettinen's mild blow had dealt Erskine his second concussion in eight months, and Erskine wound up on the sideline for more than six weeks. That 22-game hiatus is expected to end tonight, when Erskine, the Capitals' most physical presence on the blueline, returns against the Edmonton Oilers at Verizon Center.

Erskine said after yesterday's practice that he has been "symptom free" for more than three weeks. He also said he's excited about returning, but like many players who have suffered multiple concussions within a short time span, the 28-year-old said he has some concerns.

"My main worry is whether I'm more prone to get another concussion that much easier," he said.

The first major concussion of his career, Erskine said, occurred last March during a fight with then Calgary Flames enforcer Eric Godard, who landed a punch flush on Erskine's jaw. Erskine did not lose consciousness, but he missed the next six games.

Erskine suited up for the season's final four regular season contests and all seven games in the playoffs, experiencing no ill effects.

In October, Erskine signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract extension that will keep him in Washington through the 2010-11 season and secured a regular spot in Coach Bruce Boudreau's lineup, suiting up for 19 of the team's first 21 games.

Then came the hit that was so slight he barely remembers it.

"It was just a hit," Erskine said. "It wasn't a hard hit or anything,"

Miettinen, the Wild's second-leading scorer, is listed at 6 feet and 190 pounds. Erskine stands at 6-4 and 218. Still, for more than a month, the glancing blow upended Erskine's life.

"The toughest part was at the start when they told me I couldn't do anything," Erskine said. "I couldn't exercise at all. I just felt like I sat around and got out of shape."

In the first two weeks, each time Erskine exerted himself, the dizziness returned and he was forced to take more time off, adding to his frustration.

Erskine said one local doctor refused to clear him and implored him to take the rest of the season off. But the defenseman remained adamant about returning, so he sought clearance from two noted concussion specialists -- Joseph Maroon in Pittsburgh and James Kelly in Denver -- who cleared him, he said.

"No doctor has the right answer," Erskine said. "The doctor will say since you've had a couple in a row so any little hit can do it. But the doctors have [also] said that I'm fine, that everything is good right now."

Although he has been practicing fully for some time now, the real test will come against the Oilers, who are tied with the Wild for last place in Northwest Division.

Erskine was paired with No. 1 defenseman Mike Green during yesterday's practice, and there's a good chance he'll skate alongside him against Edmonton.

"I'm so excited now, I'm kind of on a high," Erskine said.

Erskine is not the Capitals' most skilled defenseman, and sometimes is prone to taking penalties at the wrong time. But he also adds elements the current group does not possess: toughness and intimidation. Erskine forces opposing forwards to think twice before camping out in front of the net.

"He's a presence out there," Boudreau said. "So people (A) don't take liberties and (B) people think that he's a physical guy, [but] he's a pretty good defenseman, too. He played 20 minutes a game in the playoffs last year and was quite accountable on every shift. He has some faults like everybody else. But he's a good acquisition when he's out there."

Capitals Notes: Defensemen Tyler Sloan and Sean Collins were reassigned to Hershey on Sunday, but one could return to Washington today if Jeff Schultz (finger) is unable to play. Defenseman Tom Poti (groin muscle pull) rejoined his teammates for practice yesterday but left about halfway through the hour-long session. He is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve tomorrow. Defenseman Brian Pothier, sidelined since last January with a concussion, was examined by Kelly in Denver last week but was not cleared to resume playing. . . .

Center Boyd Gordon (back spasms) is expected to miss tonight's game, while Sergei Fedorov (ankle) is expected to return.