ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals winger Sonny Milano took a big step forward, upgrading from a non-contact jersey at the team's optional practice on Wednesday.
Milano had been skating for weeks in a powder blue sweater, and Wednesday was the first time he was able to fully participate in drills and take contact.
The 28-year-old has been out since Nov. 6, when he suffered an upper-body injury against the Nashville Predators. It has sidelined him indefinitely from the lineup, and there has been no real timetable or update on his return.
Getting back into full contact is a positive step, especially as the Capitals enter the final stretch of the season and start to gear up for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, there are still ways to go, as he has to get back in the rhythm of drills and full contact before officially being cleared to play.
Milano has appeared in just three games for Washington this season, going without a point and posting a plus/minus of minus-3. It is possible that he could get some games down with the AHL's Hershey Bears on a conditioning stint before being activated from the long-term injured reserve.
That said, it may be tough for Milano to immediately draw back into the mix, with Ethen Frank fitting in seamlessly on the fourth line and Ryan Leonard potentially signing and joining the team later in the spring.
Washington has 24 games remaining in the regular season and continues its final stretch on Thursday at home against the St. Louis Blues.