Sonny Milano appears to be making steps toward a return to the Washington Capitals lineup in recent weeks. The 28-year-old winger has been out of the team’s lineup since suffering an upper-body injury on November 6 against the Nashville Predators.
Milano’s on-ice involvement post-injury has primarily come during individual sessions with skills coach Kenny McCudden, but he graduated to joining his teammates for part of their morning skate earlier this week. Despite the apparent progress, head coach Spencer Carbery would not commit to putting Milano back into game action anytime soon when asked about his status Friday morning.
New questions about Milano’s recovery process emerged after Ethen Frank was recalled from the AHL’s Hershey Bears. The Capitals have a full complement of 23 active players, meaning they would need to make a move to eventually activate Milano from long-term injured reserve.
“Sonny doesn’t really factor in at this point,” Carbery said Friday. “It’s still a ways away of him getting into games. He’s been out for a significant amount of time, so we’re gonna need at least a week of practice to get him back up and running. Even though now he’s partaking in pregame skates, and he’s around other players. He’s into the game group essentially in an injured jersey.”
Sonny Milano is taking part in today’s optional skate, still in a no-contact jersey. pic.twitter.com/r2O7WGdeSb
— Katie Adler (@katieEadler) January 9, 2025
The Capitals initially labeled Milano out week-to-week before putting him on LTIR on November 20. He has played in just three games this season and has yet to record his first point. In 49 games last year, Milano recorded 23 points (15g, 8a).
Since Milano has already missed more than 10 games and 24 days, so he is eligible to come off of LTIR as soon as Washington believes he is cleared for a return to active duty.
Milano will end the season with one year remaining at a $1.9 million cap hit on the three-year extension he signed with the Capitals in February 2023.
