Avalanche's Nazem Kadri: Begins puck-handling drills

Kadri (thumb) took part in a solo skating session Thursday that included puck handling, Ryan Rishaug of TSN.ca reports.

Kadri is clearly trending in the right direction based on his ability to begin stick-handling drills after undergoing thumb surgery. Still, until the 31-year-old center is cleared for contact at a full practice, he will remain out of the lineup. Whenever Kadri is given the all-clear, he should retake his spot on the second line, which would allow Mikko Rantanen to rejoin the first trio.