Pierre-Luc Dubois has started skating again, but Capitals do not expect him back before NHL's Winter Olympics break

"Dubois, 27, featured in just six games for the Caps this season before undergoing surgery to address injuries to his abdominal and adductor muscles on November 7. Head coach Spencer Carbery revealed Saturday morning that Dubois has started skating again, a positive step in his return progression. "Yeah, he is [skating again]," Carbery said. "I don't want to tell you exactly how many times he's been on the ice, but that's starting that progression to get back.""

"Dubois did not skate with his teammates on Saturday, but did have a light blue non-contact jersey hanging in his locker room stall at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. While Dubois's return to the ice is a step forward for the veteran pivot, Carbery tempered expectations on his timeline. The Capitals initially stated that Dubois would miss 3-4 months after his surgery, putting him on pace for a February or March comeback."

""Yeah, way, way too early to project," Carbery said. "I would say you can start asking those questions post Olympic break. You know what I mean? I haven't even been given the timeline. It will not be any time before the Olympics." The NHL will pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy beginning on February 6, with games not resuming until February 25. The Capitals will play six total games in February, with three coming after the break."

Pierre-Luc Dubois, 27, played six games this season before undergoing surgery on November 7 to repair abdominal and adductor muscle injuries. He has begun skating again as part of his rehabilitation, though he did not participate in full team practices and wore a non-contact jersey at the team's training facility. The Capitals initially estimated a 3–4 month recovery timeline, suggesting a February or March return, but head coach Spencer Carbery said it is too early to project and indicated any timeline likely won't be set until after the Olympic break. The NHL pauses for the 2026 Winter Olympics from February 6 to February 25, and the Capitals have six February games with three after the break.

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