Orlov (wrist) is traveling with the Capitals on their current road trip and is expected to begin a conditioning stint at AHL Hershey next week, Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post reports. Orlov, who is nearly 10 months removed from wrist surgery, finally appears ready to test himself in game action in what has been a painfully slow rehab process. He's expected to play the maximum three games allowed for a conditioning assignment before rejoining the Capitals, assuming everything checks out fine along the way. It's quite possible he could reemerge as a third-pairing defenseman for the Capitals during the postseason.

Orlov (wrist) will likely join AHL Hersey for a conditioning assignment next week, after he travels with the Capitals on an upcoming three-game road trip, CSN Washington's Chuck Gormley reports. Orlov is likely hoping to get a few NHL games in before the end of the season to allow the Capitals to decide whether he can help the team in the playoffs. The Caps' upcoming road trip concludes with Saturday's game in Winnipeg, and Orlov's conditioning stint could be somewhat lengthy.

Coach Barry Trotz said Thursday that Orlov (wrist) would head out on a conditioning stint at AHL Hershey in the near future, Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post reports. Orlov has been out of commission since undergoing wrist surgery 10 months ago. Though Orlov was expected to be ready to go at the start of the season, he's failed to notice much recovery in the wrist while skating and practicing with the Capitals, but Trotz's update suggests the blueliner may have finally turned the corner. The Capitals haven't outlined a target date for the start of the conditioning assignment, but considering how much time he's missed, he would likely require at least a week or two in the minors before rejoining the parent club. His return could provide a boost to the Caps' blue line heading into the playoffs.

General manager Brian MacLellan said Orlov's (wrist) status remains "in limbo," NHL.com's Adam Vingan reports. Orlov has been seemingly in a holding pattern with his recovery from offseason wrist surgery for months. He's noticed only slight improvement since receiving clearance to take contact in January, and it's looking increasingly likely he might not play this season. The Capitals haven't ruled out a second wrist operation for Orlov, which would potentially jeopardize his availability for the start of the 2015-16 season.

The Capitals remain uncertain about what they will do about Orlov (wrist) this season, indicating that "nothing is off the table, including a second procedure", Alex Prewitt of The Washington Post reports. It's been a frustrating season for Orlov who has yet to play in any games this season as a result of ongoing, post-surgical complications to repair a broken wrist suffered during the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Belarus last summer. Orlov has been reportedly making progress, but this report casts doubt on his short-term future. It's looking increasingly likely that Orlov will not return to the NHL ranks this season, and thus his value remains limited to keeper leagues, although given his struggles in recovering from this injury, one now wonders if this will cast a shadow on his long-term prospects. For now, monitor his progress and keep any eye on him for next season.

Orlov has noticed improvement with his wrist recently and was set to have a check-up with a doctor Wednesday, Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post reports. Projected to serve as a third-pairing defenseman this season for the Capitals, Orlov has been out since training camp after undergoing surgery on his wrist. He's been skating with the team for multiple months in an effort to stay conditioned, but his recovery from the surgery had mostly plateaued until recently. With Orlov now beginning to experience increased strength and flexibility with his wrist, the Capitals haven't closed the door on a return this season. He'll likely need a positive report from his doctor in order to get back on the ice for games, or else undergo a second procedure to address the ailing wrist.

Orlov (wrist) was cleared to take contact over the weekend, CSN Washington reports. The 23-year-old's recovery from offseason wrist surgery had been hitting a wall over the last several weeks, but it appears he's finally noticed a breakthrough here. While he's not expected to be activated from the team's non-roster injury list anytime in the immediate future, it at least gives Orlov hope that he might be able to make an impact for the Capitals at some point in the second half.

Orlov has been slow to progress in his recovery from wrist surgery, Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post reports. Orlov is closing in on the seven-month mark in his recovery from the wrist procedure, which had been expected to sideline him for only four-to-six months. He's been able to practice in an attempt to test out the injury, but a temporary setback due to an infection has morphed into a long period of stagnancy in the recovery process for the blueliner. Orlov remains without a definitive timetable for a return.

Orlov (wrist) practiced with the team Monday, Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post reports. It's a good sign that Orlov's rehab is back on track after he seemed to hit a snag last week. Keep an eye out for him to head to AHL Hershey for a conditioning assignment once he's cleared for contact.

Orlov (wrist) is not healing as quickly as the Caps had hoped, The Washington Post reports. While Orlov is making progress, he's been limited mostly to skating as a way of building up his endurance while he's unable to play. Once he's ready to increase his activity, Orlov is expected to go on a conditioning assignment with Hershey.