from Alex Prewitt of Capitals Insider,

Still working back from offseason hip surgery, Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is expected to remain sidelined through the team’s seven-game preseason exhibition slate, Coach Barry Trotz said Saturday.

“Backie is still the same,” Trotz said at Germain Arena, where the Capitals are participating in a four-team prospects tournament “He’s skating and if he keeps going, he’ll keep progressing and get cleared at some point to come to the main group. Once he comes to the main group, I think he’s a few weeks away. That won’t be for a little while. I don’t expect him to be playing in any of the exhibition games. I really don’t. If they tell me yes, then I’ll be happy.”

Otherwise, the Capitals might begin the regular season without the services of their first-line center and alternate captain, though Backstrom isn’t expected to sit much longer. After undergoing the arthroscopic operation in late May, Backstrom has taken his time with rehabilitation, preaching a better-safe-than-sorry approach for his recovery. Backstrom recently conducted a simulate skate test with strength coach Mark Nemish, another important step forward as mobility and strength in his hip return.

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