Klingberg practices with Stars, could return this week

There was a welcome sight when the Dallas Stars hit the ice for practice in Frisco on Monday morning. Defenseman John Klingberg was on the ice and practicing with the team for the first time since going out with a broken hand five and a half weeks ago.
"Oh, it was good," said Stars coach Jim Montgomery. "Just the energy he brought. He scored a nice goal, and a couple of breakout plays he made put a lot of smiles on a lot of people's faces."
Klingberg was smiling when he came off the ice after practice and greeted the waiting media in the locker room.
"I feel great," Klingberg said. "A couple more days probably, but just back practicing with the team is a lot of fun."

The Stars don't have a definite day for Klingberg's return, but they've narrowed it down. He won't return Tuesday against Calgary, but Thursday against Chicago is a possibility, and if not against the Blackhawks, then Saturday in Minnesota becomes the target.
"As soon as he feels comfortable mentally and that he is in game shape and that he can go into corners and make strong plays," said Montgomery. "We're hoping Thursday, but most likely I would think Saturday."

Klingberg said his conditioning is good. He's been skating on his own and working on his stickhandling and shooting as he gets back up to speed with his hand.
"This past week when the guys were on the road, we've been working a lot, me and (Stars skills coach) Stan Tugolukov and the other injured guys. Every day the shots and the puck skills have been better," Klingberg said. "The last thing for me now is being comfortable going into battles and jams around the net.
"A couple more practices and that's going to feel better too. It's been a long process, but it's been a short one too because every day feels better."
Klingberg suffered the injury in the Nov. 8 game against San Jose when an Evander Kane shot hit him in the left hand. Klingberg had surgery the next day. The time frame was originally said to be at least four weeks and then revised the next week to five weeks, so he is right on target as far as his return.
The Stars have gone 7-8-2 in the seventeen games since Klingberg went out of the lineup. Klingberg said it was tough being out, not around the team and not being able to help. But now it appears he'll get his chance later this week and he'll be patient with getting his game up to speed.
"I am going to have to go in there and try not to do too much to start," he said. "Just come in there and be comfortable with the puck, with how we want to play and not chase the game too much the first one or two games. I really have to start the season over and just get comfortable about my game."

Carrick could be available after Christmas

Stars defenseman Connor Carrick, who has been out since late October with a foot injury, skated before practice today. He could be available to play after the Christmas break.
"Connor Carrick is progressing well," Montgomery said. "He's been skating, and we're not sure of exactly when but probably right after Christmas availability."
Defenseman Stephen Johns, who has not played his season due to post-traumatic headaches, also skated before practice this morning. There is still no timetable on a possible return.
"Stephen Johns is doing well," Montgomery said. "The last go of treatments have improved. But no timetable."
There is nothing new on defenseman Marc Methot, who has been out since early November with a knee injury.
"He hasn't been skating, but has gone to see another doctor for another consultation," Montgomery said.

Gurianov gets look on top line

Forward Denis Gurianov skated on the top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on Monday. Those three played together for 5:25 during 5-on-5 play in Saturday's game in Colorado and produced one goal. That line also had a 5-2 advantage in scoring chances for and a 4-0 advantage in high-danger scoring chances for, according to naturalstattrick.com.
After practice, Montgomery discussed what he likes about Gurianov on that line.
"Just his instincts, his speed, his ability to shoot in stride. He's looking like he is an NHL player," Montgomery said. "Today in practice he is jumping out at you. He's not just a player that is good in flashes; he just seems to be good all the time now. He's looking dominant out there."
Gurianov, who had one assist in 13:41 of ice time Saturday, had a great rush in the game where he weaved his way through the Avalanche defense to create a scoring chance. Montgomery was asked if people should get excited about Gurianov or tap the brakes and see what happens moving forward.
"Teammates and coaches have gotten excited, so I hope you guys are getting excited and fans are getting excited," Montgomery said. "That rush he did the other day, we haven't seen anyone go coast to coast through a couple of guys like that all year. It's another offensive dynamic that we could become two offensive lines here with him."
Another move among the forward lines was shifting Radek Faksa to left wing on a line with center Martin Hanzal and right wing Tyler Pitlick.
"We have a lot of guys who can play center and play center well. It's much easier to go from center to wing than it is wing to center if you haven't played it," Montgomery said. "Radek is a great teammate, and he looked good on the wing. He was moving well, which is not usual for a guy who has played center his whole life that goes to wing, but that's a compliment to him and what a team guy he is."
One other note: The Stars placed defenseman Joel Hanley on waivers with the intention of sending him to the Texas Stars of the AHL.

Monday's practice lineup

Jamie Benn - Tyler Seguin - Denis Gurianov
Mattias Janmark - Jason Spezza - Alexander Radulov
Radek Faksa - Martin Hanzal - Tyler Pitlick
Devin Shore - Jason Dickinson - Blake Comeau
Valeri Nichushkin - Brett Ritchie
Esa Lindell - Julius Honka
Miro Heiskanen - Roman Polak
Gavin Bayreuther - Taylor Fedun
Joel Hanley - John Klingberg
Ben Bishop
Anton Khudobin
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski has covered the Stars for DallasStars.com since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.