ST. LOUIS -- Injured Stars Marc Methot and Martin Hanzal are returning to skating, but it could be a while before they are ready to play, coach Ken Hitchcock said Thursday.
Hanzal (hamstring) skated Thursday in Frisco, and Methot (knee) is expected to skate Friday. However, Methot is shooting for a return just before Christmas after arthroscopic knee surgery, while Hanzal won't play until he feels close to 100 percent.
Hanzal has battled four different injuries this season, starting with a knee injury that forced him to miss training camp. He has played in 19 of 29 games, and Hitchcock said the team wants him to get to a place where he can stay in the lineup.