MONTREAL -- The Washington Capitals say more revelations about an investigation into connections between the club and a chiropractor linked to steroids won't be a distraction in their playoff run.

In its April 26 edition, Sports Illustrated will report the NHL and the Caps, despite claims to the contrary, did not "thoroughly investigate" Douglas Nagel, the chiropractor who has treated Caps players and was arrested last month. He told investigators he had mailed money for steroids to Richard Thomas, the former bodybuilder who had $200,000 worth of pills, bottles and syringes seized from his home and claimed the Caps were one of the teams he was supplying with steroids.

"We disagree with the assertion that the matter was not adequately investigated," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told QMI Agency in an email.

Capitals players faced questions about the story after their morning skate at the Bell Centre Wednesday in preparation for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Montreal Canadiens.

"The story died and now it's come back. It's a non-issue," said Capitals forward Matt Bradley, who was treated by Nagel, who has an office in the mall adjacent to the Caps' practice facility in Arlington, Va. "I saw him as a chiropractor. I've seen many through my career. It's no different."

Bradley and other players were interviewed by authorities after Thomas' allegations.

"One day after practice they asked us questions and I thought that was the end of it," said Bradley. "If they want to write stories, they can say whatever they want. It makes no difference to me."

"I saw him once or twice for my back problems. Nothing changed. It didn't get better so I stopped going," said Caps forward Eric Fehr.

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