"Nicklas Backstrom hasn't skated for more than five minutes over the past 34 days, and based on his recent comments to Swedish news outlet Gefle Dagblad, there continues to be no indication as to when the Capitals center may be able to return to the lineup.

Backstrom suffered a concussion on Jan. 3 when he was elbowed in the head by then-Calgary forward Rene Bourque and has not played since, missing 15 games and counting.

The 24-year-old's comments to Gefle Dagblad, which was translated by our friends over at Japers' Rink, do not offer much reason for optimism as the Capitals continue to wait for his recovery.

"I don't know when I will be able to play again," Backstrom said, "but I hope I will be ready for the playoffs.""