For the first time since late October, Tuomo Ruutu participated in a full practice session with the Blackhawks.
“He’s making some progress,” coach Trent Yawney said. “We don’t want him to have contact yet. But there was lots of skating and puck work, which he needs.”
Yawney said the next step would be for Ruutu to begin fighting through traffic and gradually increasing the physical aspect of the game.
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No timetable exists for Ruutu’s return, but if his work rate continues to increase, a return in mid-January is possible.
Ruutu hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of a sore back.
Eric Daze also skated Thursday but did not participate in practice. Yawney said Daze is behind Ruutu in terms of rehab.
One-timers
Rookie defenseman Brent Seabrook, who left Wednesday’s loss to Nashville with a leg injury, was examined Thursday. If Seabrook is unable to play Friday against Detroit, the Hawks might recall Anton Babchuk from Norfolk. . . . Ruutu was named to the Finnish Olympic team, and Jaroslav Spacek was named to the Czech Republic squad. The Russian team has yet to be announced, leaving Nikolai Khabibulin’s status undecided.