Patrick Sharp will play in the season opener and there's a chance Dave Bolland and Ben Smith could also play when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Dallas Stars on Friday night.
Sharp participated in his first full practice on Tuesday -- he was part of morning skate last Friday -- and coach Joel Quenneville deemed him "ready to go" for the season opener. And as Quenneville said last week, Sharp will start the season at wing; he was with Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews on Tuesday.
Bolland (upper body) did not practice on Tuesday but Quenneville was hopeful that the center would be back for Wednesday's practice.
Smith's return, meanwhile, was very encouraging after he was knocked out last week against the Detroit Red Wings. He was not cleared for contact on Tuesday but that could come soon.
"He looked good, he's skating well and he's progressed the past few days," Quenneville said. "He could have a chance to take contact as well next day or two."
Smith said he did get a text from Brendan Smith regarding the hit and he appreciated that.
"It's just one of those things; it's a rough game and some things happen," said Ben Smith, whose latest concussion is not his first. "These things are dangerous and it's really day by day. (Recovery) could take six or seven months, it could take a couple weeks. I'll just try to do the right things and get healthy and hope that works."
NHL
Meanwhile, general manager Stan Bowman said Viktor Stalberg (left knee) will start the season on the injured reserve list. Stalberg was injured last Wednesday and should be back within the next three weeks.
Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.