Capitals Provide Update On Connor Brown, Next Steps

ARLINGTON, V.A. — As Washington Capitals forward Connor Brown turns 29, he remains on a long road to recovery after ACL surgery. And according to head coach Peter Laviolette, things are going well.

Laviolette said that Brown is in good spirits as he continues to work his way back from injury. He is unlikely to return before the end of the regular season (he has not been completely ruled out and his timeline could work out for some point in the postseason), but it appears he is taking a step forward in his workouts.

“I saw him the other day. He’s working hard, he’s got a smile on his face. I think when you have a big procedure like that, you’re in the grind of it. He seems to be moving forward with his workouts and getting better," Laviolette said. "He’s doing more, still being watched and maintained to make sure that he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. But I think that there’s a page that you turn once you get past the first month of an injury like that. So he’s down that road now, doing good.”

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Brown tore his ACL just four games into the season after taking an awkward hit along the boards from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Noah Juulsen. He got up slowly and was in visible discomfort, not putting any weight on his right leg.

Washington acquired the Ontario native in an offseason trade with the Ottawa Senators. He was expected to take on a top-6 role and help fill Tom Wilson's void while he was recovering from ACL surgery himself. Through 448 career games, Brown has 90 goals and 126 assists. He will be a UFA at the end of this season.