Prospal skates in full gear with teammates
New York Rangers center Vaclav Prospal (20) prepares for a face off during the game against the Nashville Predators. (Feb. 10, 2010) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
OTTAWA - The cheerful Vinny Prospal re-emerged Thursday.
Prospal, who had right knee surgery Oct. 18, was all smiles after skating in full equipment with teammates for the first time, and coach John Tortorella said he expects the forward to return sometime after Christmas.
"I guess that's possible," said Prospal, 35, who was on the ice for 35 minutes, mostly passing and tossing a few shots on goal. On Wednesday, he skated for 30 minutes with assistant coach Mike Sullivan.
"I'm punching the clock," said Prospal, the Rangers' second-leading scorer last season, who is expected to skate regularly at home and on the road.
"I think I'm really on schedule. It feels good," said Prospal, who was limited to upper- body work for three weeks and rehabbing alone. "The problem I had is not happening again."
Del Zotto watchesFor the first time when healthy, Michael Del Zotto watched a Rangers game from a different vantage point: press row. The sophomore defenseman, with three points in his last 17 games, was a healthy scratch. "With young players sometimes, it's good to watch," Tortorella said. "His game has not been bad, but it has teetered lately."
In 80 games last season as a 19-year-old - he missed two with an injury - Del Zotto had nine goals and 28 assists. "Offensively, my production is not where I'd like it to be, and certainly not where it was last year, but I think I've improved on the defensive side," he said. "But I can't let my focus on improving defensively affect my offensive game because that's one big reason I'm here."
Matt Gilroy, a healthy scratch for five games since Michal Rozsival returned from a shoulder sprain, replaced Del Zotto in the lineup.
Chris Drury (finger) is slated to have an X-ray Sunday and hopes to be cleared for contact.
