When Will Tom Wilson Start Skating With Capitals? MacLellan Gives Update

The Washington Capitals are navigating a number of major injuries, but did get some good news on the Tom Wilson front from general manager Brian MacLellan on Saturday.

In his first press conference since the season started, MacLellan provided more on No. 43, who is still rehabilitating from ACL surgery suffering a tear in his left knee in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers. Wilson has been skating on his own, but has yet to join the team. His initial timeline of 6-8 months has him on pace for a January return.

When it comes to the next steps for Wilson, MacLellan said the Capitals will have a clearer picture of where things are headed sooner rather than later.

“Tom’s good, too,” MacLellan said. “I don’t have an exact date. We’ll get a better picture in the next few weeks. Mid-December, we’ll have a pretty good idea. We can be more certain on it then.”

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Getting Wilson back will be a major help for Washington, as the team is struggling offensively and not getting enough secondary scoring. The 28-year-old had an All-Star season in 2021-22, putting up a career-high 24 goals, 28 assists and 52 points in 78 games. He also wore the “A” from time to time last season in wake of injuries.

In addition to Wilson, MacLellan also said that Nicklas Backstrom is making good progress and that the team hopes to get him into contact drills soon. He is back to skating after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in the offseason, and he has also taken part in some morning skates with the club as well.

While those two are close to getting back, there are other injuries plaguing the team. Connor Brown (ACL surgery) and Carl Hagelin (hip surgery) are likely done for the season. Dmitry Orlov is still dealing with a lingering lower-body injury and has missed the last 12 games, though the team is optimistic he’ll be back soon. Martin Fehervary and Darcy Kuemper recently joined the injured list after suffering upper-body ailments just minutes apart in Saturday’s loss to Calgary.