Michal Neuvirth has reportedly finalized his deal with HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic. Neuvirth is looking to bounce back from a rough season where he posted a 2.82 GAA and .903 save percentage in 38 games. He'll return to the Washington Capitals after the lockout ends and is projected to battle for playing time with Braden Holtby.

Michal Neuvirth may have a deal finalized with a team in the Czech Republic by Tuesday. "I should have a team, if not today, by tomorrow," said the Washington netminder. "It's a tough situation. For me, I just want to play. I think it's going to be better to practice with a team, get some games. I would be happy if I could fly back in a couple weeks and get ready for the NHL season, but at this point I'm looking forward to playing in Czech. Hopefully we'll all be back here soon."

Michal Neuvirth said he has offers from other teams in Europe, but he won't make any decisions until the NHL's labor situation becomes clearer. "It's a tough situation and we all don't know what to do," he said. "We've got to wait, and like I said to the teams I've talked to, I'm going to wait to the 15th then I'm going to decide what I'm going to do." A potential work stoppage has seen reports of several players making backup plans, with Europe as a popular destination, while keeping a close eye on the negotiation process.

Michal Neuvirth is back in Washington after spending most of the summer at home in the Czech Republic. He spoke with Mike Vogel in an interview, on the Capitals' official website, and talked about his controversial translated comments from another interview with iSportz.cz. Neuvirth said that there were some "misunderstandings" and that some of the things he said had their meanings changed. In some quotes from the piece, it sounded like he took critical shots at teammates Braden Holtby and Alex Ovechkin, but he said that wasn't the intent of the comments. He said he talked to Holtby and Ovechkin afterward and they are all still on good terms. Neuvirth later commented that the translated interview "didn't sound like [him] at all" and that several of his teammates contacted him to tell him that they know him for who he really is.

Michal Neuvirth apparently had some choice words for teammates and former coach Dale Hunter during an interview with iSportz.cz. When he spoke about team captain Alex Ovechkin he said, "he isn't what he used to be, that's for sure" and "if a team like ours wants to have a chance in Stanley Cup, we need Ovi to be the best." Neuvirth also questioned former Washington winger Alexander Semin's work ethic and said he was glad that Hunter wouldn't be around anymore. There's probably going to be some damage control, which isn't uncommon for translated interviews, but nothing he said went too far despite his candidness and he was largely complimentary of Ovechkin and Semin despite those remarks.

Michal Neuvirth (lower body) will serve as Braden Holtby's understudy on Saturday. "You need a lot of painkillers and try to get through the pain. That's what I'm trying to do," Neuvirth said. "Obviously it's not going to be 100 percent. This thing's got to heal up over the summer, and it is what it is." Even though Neuvirth is available, it's no surprise that the team is sticking with Holtby. Holtby has a 1.60 GAA and .953 save percentage in four playoff starts.

Michal Neuvirth is making good progress in his recovery from a lower-body injury. He took shots Sunday and looked good doing it moving easily from side to side without any obvious favoring of his lower extremities. Braden Holtby has been white hot in the first two games against the Bruins and will continue to play until he cools off. If that should happen, it looks as if Neuvirth will be ready to take over.

Braden Holtby, who held the Boston Bruins to one overtime goal in his first playoff game Thursday night, will return to the Washington Capitals' net this afternoon even though the more established Michal Neuvirth (lower body injury) practiced on Friday. Neuvirth, who suffered an apparent injury to his left leg on April 5, took shots and worked with goaltending coaches Dave Prior and Olie Kolzig. Neuvirth is progressing in his recovery but he still wasn't demonstrating his usual explosiveness in net and crispness of movement.

Michal Neuvirth didn't skate on Wednesday, but according to a team spokesman, he will accompany his teammates to Boston for the opening two games of Washington's first-round series. He skated with his teammates for the first time on Tuesday since he sustained an apparent leg injury on Apr. 5. The Capitals are set to go with Braden Holtby as their starter for Thursday's playoff opener, while Dany Sabourin will probably serve as his understudy.

Michal Neuvirth (lower body) took a few shots on goal before ending his practice session. Neuvirth was injured in Thursday's win against Florida and exited during the second period. He is not expected to be ready for the start of the Caps' series with Boston, which gets underway Thursday. Neuvirth started 30 games this season and was 13-13-5 with a 2.82 GAA and .903 save percentage.