Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson: Skates before practice

Gudbranson skated Saturday for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in mid-October, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

Gudbranson could still be a month away from returning to action but appears to be progressing in his recovery. The defenseman was injured in the Blue Jackets' third game of the season versus Florida and had four hits and three blocked shots while failing to hit the scoresheet before the injury.