Photo: Patrick McDermott

On Saturday night, Brooks Orpik, the Washington Capitals’ $27.5 million dollar defenseman, will miss his 40th game of the season due to a lower body injury. The saga has dragged on for months. Originally, Orpik was only supposed to miss a game or two, but instead he spent months off the ice. His return, however, now appears imminent.

“It’s all in his court,” head coach Barry Trotz told reporters in Dallas. “Whenever he’s ready.”

Orpik has now been skating a full month and has been practicing with the team since February 2. Trotz said he will likely return to the lineup next week. The Kings game on Tuesday or the Islanders game on Thursday look like the most likely bets.

“I’m probably anticipating he’s looking for another one of those hard practices, maybe on Monday where goes the full length and a morning skate and then another practice and he plays Tuesday or [Thursday],” Trotz said. “Whenever he says ‘I’m ready to go,’ I’ll find a place to put him.”