Marianna Tolo has a busted knee and no set comeback date, but her return to Canberra prompted Capitals coach Paul Goriss to declare their intent to be championship contenders next season.
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The Capitals have set lofty ambitions for their WNBL campaign at the end of the year, targeting and eight title despite not making the finals since 2011.
Tolo has signed a one-year deal and will join Australian Opals teammates Kelsey Griffin and Leilani Mitchell in a new-look star trio for the Capitals.
The club has misfired in recent seasons, failing to make the play-offs since Tolo helped the team to a grand final seven years ago.
But former coach Carrie Graf has returned in an administration role and the Capitals have strengthened their off-court team in the off-season.
Former Capitals captain Lucille Bailie and former NBL player Dan Jackson will shoulder the bulk of the off-court responsibilities alongside Graf.
The Capitals have also reworked their budgets to allow them to sign key recruits to be immediate title contenders.
Goriss has also been active in the recruitment market, with Lauren Scherf, Keely Froling and Maddi Rocci the only returning players from last season.
Tolo was picked in the WNBL all-star five in her last season in Canberra and the club is confident she can recapture that form, even after a second knee reconstruction.
"We've got great building blocks and that's why it's exciting," Goriss said.
"You don't want to trot out the 'championship contender' [line], but we definitely are with the three big Opals players we've got in Tolo, Kelsey and Leilani.
"We've got great building blocks to challenge for a championship. Graffy has done a great job coming on board with budget and recruitment ... it's building to something exciting."
Tolo is expected to miss the opening rounds of the season, but she is confident of having an impact as Fox Sports considers increasing the amount of games played next season.
Tolo ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in Turkey at the start of the year and she will miss Australia's world championship campaign.
But her focus is trying to help rebuild the Capitals after leading the team to within one game of a finals appearance two years ago.
"I think I would struggle to play for anyone else [in the WNBL]," Tolo said.
"When I got injured, it cemented the decision to [play here again]. Knowing I had a good relationship with Paul and have faith in him that he wouldn't push me to be back straight away ... it helped."
Goriss added: "I'm probably one of [Tolo's] biggest fans and I'll always do the right thing by her.
"I don't want to put any undue pressure on her with timeframes or how many minutes. There won't be any pressure because as soon as she's back, we know what she'll bring.
"...We're still looking at imports. We don't need any more superstars, we need depth of talent and people who are going to come in and play their roles."
