Calgary Flames defenseman Ladislav Smid is progressing in his bid to return to the ice, according to general manager Brad Treviling.
Sidelined since Jan. 19, Smid had season-ending surgery the following month to repair a herniated disc in his neck.
The 29-year-old Smid participated in informal skating in Calgary recently and is eyeing a return to the club.
"My sense right now is everything's progressing, but he's not necessarily going to be ready for contact at training camp, and getting a better sense when that will be," Treliving told the team's website on Wednesday. "It was a positive report. We'll see where he is. There are still steps to take when he gets to camp."
Smid was initially injured after absorbing a high hit from then-Pittsburgh Penguins blue-liner Simon Despres in Calgary's 3-1 loss on Dec. 12. The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder played in three more games before electing to have surgery.
Smid, who notched one assist in 31 games in 2014-15, has scored 12 goals and set up 60 others to go along with 466 penalty minutes in 561 career contests with the Edmonton Oilers and Flames.
(h/t Calgary Flames)
