Capitals coach Barry Trotz said that Backstrom (hip) would require two weeks of conditioning time once he's cleared to join the team for full practices, Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington reports.

EDGE Analysis

Trotz has already stated that Backstrom would likely miss all seven of the Caps' preseason games, but it remains to be determined if he'll receive clearance to practice at some point during training camp. The 27-year-old center has been skating for the past three weeks as part of his rehabilitation, but there seems to be growing doubt he'll be ready for the Oct. 10 regular-season opener. The Capitals are not placing a timetable on Backstrom's return as of yet. If Backstrom indeed is out of commission for the start of the season, Evgeny Kuznetsov would likely slide into the top-line center spot temporarily.