The Capitals got very encouraging news on the Max Pacioretty front on Friday.
The Washington Capitals got an encouraging update on the Max Pacioretty front, as he skated again ahead of the optional skate and is getting closer to a concrete timetable.
Head coach Spencer Carbery told reporters on Friday that the 34-year-old is making good progress and ramping up as he continues his recovery from a retorn Achilles.
The new timetable for a return is within the next two to three weeks, per Carbery.
"It's getting within 2-3 weeks," Carbery said. "That's the next big step is practicing with the group... then game on. We're getting pretty close."
Pacioretty hasn't played since Jan. 19, when he retore his Achilles just five games into his return from that same injury for the Carolina Hurricanes. He had three goals over that span before the injury sidelined him again. It was his second right Achilles tear in a span of five months.
Getting No. 67 in the mix will be a major plus for the Capitals, who are still looking for consistent offense up front and are in need of another name to add a spark to the top-6. Pacioretty has proven to be a consistent goal scorer when healthy, and he can also add another look to the ailing power play.
For Pacioretty, the road back has been gruelling, consisting of a lot of bedrest, several meetings with doctors around the world and time away from the ice as he sought answers to why his injury happened.
Still, he remains determined to continue his career and resurrect it.
"I don't want to ever say that I gave up on something that I could have continued doing," Pacioretty said a month ago. "It's important for me to do this for myself, but also for my family and my kids to kind of show them that we can get through this together."
There's a process for Pacioretty, as the next step will see him join the team for practice and eventually get back into contact. Then, after reps and medical clearance, he can make his return to a game.
There's no exact date the team is planning on for a return, though Pacioretty did say he has some dates circled on his calendar.