WILMINGTON -- Good morning from Ristuccia Arena, where Marc Savard and Marco Sturm are skating prior to their teammates taking the ice for practice.

Both Savard and Sturm are currently on long-term injured reserve as they work their way back from their respective ailments. Savard and Sturm are dressed in the black jerseys usually worn by the defensemen. Savard is wearing a shield, which he has not done throughout his career.

Sturm confirmed that today was his first day on the ice. Sturm said he's feeling no pain in the knee, but said it's not as strong as the other one.

The left wing had originally planned to start skating upon the team's return from Prague. But Sturm said the travel and some fluid in the knee pushed his plans back. He will skate on his own for the next several weeks as he continues to strengthen the knee.

"It's going to be tough," Sturm said of returning by mid- or late-November. "I don't know. I really don't know. We just have to see how the next 2-3 weeks go. I want to make sure I'm going to be full strength. Before that, I'm not going to play."

Toothless David Krejci is also back on the ice this morning. They are working with Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask, Daniel Paille, Brian McGrattan, and Adam McQuaid under the watch of goaltending coach Bob Essensa.

Today's lineup:

Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Jordan Caron-Patrice Bergeron-Blake Wheeler
Mark Recchi/Daniel Paille-Tyler Seguin-Michael Ryder
Brad Marchand-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton/Brian McGrattan

Zdeno Chara-Andrew Ference
Mark Stuart-Dennis Seidenberg
Matt Hunwick-Adam McQuaid

Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask