Caps D John Carlson back on ice, still far from return

Out since taking a puck to the head Dec. 23, Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson skated with the team Wednesday for the first time since the injury.

Despite Carlson's return to the ice, coach Peter Laviolette said Wednesday that the 33-year-old is not close to returning to the lineup.

"This is an off-in-the-distance thing," Laviolette said. "But there's a process that goes with where he's at and what he's gone through, and this is the beginning of the process as far as him joining our team.

"Still off in the distance but nice to have him out there."

Carlson was a first-round pick of the Capitals in the 2007 draft. He has eight goals and 13 assists in 30 games this season.

In 917 games over 14 seasons with Washington, the two-time All-Star and 2018 Stanley Cup champion has 140 goals and 474 assists.