Washington Capitals: Nicklas Backstrom making progress

The Washington Capitals have dealt with injuries since the end of last season but it’s only gotten worse since the start of the season. However, there was some positive news at morning skate today. Nicklas Backstrom was out there with his teammates for the first time.

Backstrom was wearing a non contact jersey as he’s still rehabbing from a hip injury he suffered in last year’s playoffs. He’s been absent of the ice since the start of training camp prior to today and is on long term injured reserve.

Capitals Coach Peter Laviolette told the media after morning skate that there isn’t a timetable yet for his return.

"“This is another step. It’s really good to have him out there, just to see him on the ice. It’s a little bit different when somebody’s out for a week and they come back in a blue jersey and they’re working their way back in. So he’s still got work to do. We’re still going to work in the best interest of Nick, but certainly the fact that he joined us in a skate is a real positive for everybody. Really good.”"

The absences from Backstrom, Conor Sheary, Anthony Mantha, and T.J. Oshie have caused the Caps to shuffle their rookies around. They recently sent Axel Jonsson-Fjallby to the Hershey Bears while recalling forwards Beck Malenstyn and Michael Sgarbossa.

Sheary has an upper body injury and is day to day. He was on the ice with the team at morning skate but left before it officially began. The Caps had to play the Kraken the other night with 11 forwards and seven defensemen with Trevor Van Riemsdyk getting offensive looks.

Lars Eller is also out but hopes to be back in Washington in the next day or so, finally freeing himself from California quarantine.