The Washington Capitals have placed Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) on long-term injured reserve. The Capitals will save $7.6 million in cap space if Backstrom doesn't play for the remainder of the regular season, so the club may be looking to make some additions to their roster prior to the 3pm EST trade deadline. He has skated for just five minutes over the past 52 days and he hasn't played since Jan. 3 due to a concussion, so it's highly likely that he won't be back before the playoffs.

Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) hasn't been traveling with the Washington Capitals. There hasn't been much news regarding Backstrom's progress recently, which probably isn't a good sign. He hasn't played since Jan. 3 and he shouldn't be counted on to return in the near future.

Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) isn't ready to resume skating. "We'll see when it's going to be time for me to hit the ice," Backstrom said. "Right now, I'm taking it day-by-day to see how I feel." For now, he'll continue to ride a stationary bike. He has skated for a total of five minutes over the last 36 days. Although he does feel like he's making progress, with less than two months remaining in the regular season, we wouldn't completely dismiss the possibility that he's played in his last contest for the 2011-12 campaign.

It's still uncertain when Nicklas Backstrom will be able to return from his concussion. He has skated for a mere five minutes over the past 34 days and didn't offer a hopeful outlook on his status when he spoke to Sweden's Gefle Dagblad recently. "I don't know when I will be able to play again," Backstrom said, "but I hope I will be ready for the playoffs."

Nicklas Backstrom was activated from the IL on Saturday January 28.

Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) was on the ice briefly Monday for the first time in a little over two weeks. Backstrom skated for a mere five minutes, so it's a baby step, but still a noteworthy one. Capitals GM George McPhee suggested last week that Backstrom might return before the All-Star break, but that seems extremely unlikely at this point.

Washington GM George McPhee is pleased with the progress of Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) and noted the center could return before the all-star break. Backstrom absorbed a blow to the head on Jan. 3 and tonight's game against the visiting Islanders will mark the sixth he will have missed. Washington's final game before the break is next Tuesday against Boston, the Caps' only home date in a seven-game span starting Wednesday at Montreal. Backstrom is 13-29-42 in 38 games.

Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) wasn't on the ice with the Capitals on Saturday. Although we got some encouraging news about Backstrom in the days following Rene Bourque elbowing him in the head on January 3rd, he hasn't played since. The Capitals initially portrayed themselves as being cautious with Backstrom and as it turns out, that was for the best because he wouldn't be out for this long if there wasn't reason for significant concern. There is no timetable for Backstrom's return, but we obviously wouldn't count on him playing Sunday.

Coach Dale Hunter didn't provide much of update on the status of Nicklas Backstrom, but said the team is being cautious with their top center's head injury. "He's still not feeling 100 percent, so we're being careful," said Hunter. Backstrom hasn't been on the ice since last Friday's practice in San Jose. He isn't expected to play on Wednesday against Pittsburgh and should be considered doubtful for Friday's contest versus Tampa Bay as well. There's no timetable for his return right now and he was recently placed on injured reserve.

Nicklas Backstrom (head) will not play in Monday's game in Los Angeles. Backstrom was sent back to Washington early, so he also didn't participate in the Capitals' morning skate. Backstrom was elbowed in the head by Calgary's Rene Bourque during Tuesday's game. Backstrom was able to resume practicing shortly after sustaining the injury, but he missed Saturday's game and didn't skate on Sunday.