As the 2022-23 season approaches its midpoint, the Capitals’ dire injury situation — they’ve been at or near the top of the league in man games lost all season — is about to get better.
And, potentially, a lot better, particularly up front.
“Guys are close because you don’t see any blue (no-contact) jerseys out there,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “Restrictions are off. They can compete and they can go.”
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“But,” he cautioned, “we want to make sure when guys come back into the lineup that they feel good, they’re strong, they feel confident, they’re cleared and they’re ready to play.”
The first bit of good news arrived Saturday when Martin Fehervary returned against visiting Montreal. The top-four defenseman had missed the previous 12 games with an arm injury.
Who’s next?
Here’s what I’m hearing about timelines for the guys who are slated to return this season.
Injury/date: Chronic left hip/late last season
Games missed: 39
Estimated return: Early to mid January
The longtime alternate captain can’t catch a break. Like, literally.
Just as Backstrom neared his long-awaited season debut, he contracted COVID-19 for a second time in just over a year and was placed into the NHL’s protocol on Dec. 28.
Although Backstrom’s latest bout with the virus is not viewed as a significant setback, the 35-year-old center experienced symptoms, as did assistant coach Scott Allen, who is also in the protocol, according to Laviolette.
“I talked to (Scott) and Nick — they both had better days,” Laviolette said. “It whacked them just a little bit.”
If Backstrom tests out of the protocol on Monday, he can rejoin his teammates and resume ramping up, with an eye on the next 7-10 days assuming there are no setbacks with regard to COVID testing, his hip or fitness level.
“At least it’s now,” Laviolette said of Backstrom ending up on the COVID list. “This will be quick. He’s been on the ice so long that he’ll get back out here, he’ll get his legs back under him and he’ll be back up to speed quick.”
Injury/date: Left knee (ACL)/May 3
Games missed: 39
Estimated return: Early January
Wilson began skating with his teammates on Dec. 9, shed his no-contact jersey on Dec. 21 and has been staying on the ice for additional skills work and conditioning after each morning skate and practice.
In other words, the right winger could make his season debut any day now.
“There was a timeframe, a window, between six to eight months depending on how they’re feeling and their confidence and their endurance and what they’re feeling inside of whatever they were dealing with,” Laviolette said when asked about Wilson. “And eventually they get enough good reps where they start to get that confidence and they’ll be back.”
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The Caps’ next game is Tuesday versus Buffalo.
Injury/date: Struck on the right side of his head by a slap shot/Dec. 23
Games missed: 3
Estimated return: Late in the regular season
Here’s where the news gets less good.
Carlson did not need surgery after being hit by a 90-mile-per-hour slap shot but his recovery has been described to me in terms of months, not weeks.
Team officials are hopeful the No. 1 defenseman plays again well before the playoffs. Washington’s final regular season game is scheduled for April 13.
Carlson — and his $8 million salary — figures to be put on long-term injury reserve soon to clear the salary cap space needed to activate other players.
Injury/date: Upper body/Dec. 17
Games missed: 6
Estimated return: Early to mid January
Estimating a player’s return is not an exact science. It’s even less so when that player is 36 years old and was sidelined by a similar malady in the not-so-distant past.
Oshie is progressing, however. The right winger switched from a no-contact jersey into a regular one for Thursday’s morning skate, a sure sign that he’s ready to begin pushing himself. Like Wilson, he has also stayed out for additional skills and conditioning.
Although Oshie wants to return as soon as possible, of course, the Caps’ recent hot stretch turns down the temperature a bit as he works his way back.
“It maybe helps a little bit from their standpoint,” Laviolette said.
Connor Brown (ACL) and Carl Hagelin (eye/hip) are viewed as long shots to return at the moment.
(Photo: Jerome Miron / USA Today)
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