Hab's Pacioretty Skates For First Time Since Chara Hit
BROSSARD, Quebec (AP/CBS) -- Montreal's Max Pacioretty went for a short skate on his own before the Canadiens practice on Friday, his first since suffering a severe concussion.
He suffered a concussion and a fractured vertebra after a hit from Boston's Zdeno Chara on March 8. Pacioretty then collided with a padded stanchion supporting a glass partition at the Bell Center.
Coach Jacques Martin said the short skate is the start of his rehabilitation.
Pacioretty's agent Alex Schall said this week he does not expect him to be ready to play until training camp. Martin said there was no change in the team's assessment that he could resume practicing as early as mid-April.
The injury and the NHL's failure to suspend Chara sparked a heated debate over hits to the head.
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