It was an optional practice for the Colorado Avalanche on Friday, but there was some good news to come out of it.

Artturi Lehkonen, who injured his neck back on Nov. 9 against the Seattle Kraken, resumed light skating at Family Sports. According to a team official, there is no timeline yet for his return. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar did not speak Friday, but will be available on Saturday and is likely to get asked about it.

Just the other day, Bednar said it was too early to say if Lehkonen would return before the New Year. I wouldn’t anticipate seeing him until 2024, but it’s still nice to see him on the ice. He’s been around the facilities of late with the team.

The 28 year old winger has been moving around just fine, but that ultimately doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. It’s better news than what we got last month, when Lehkonen’s father said on a Finnish podcast that the Avalanche winger was in a neck brace, and his mother had to fly to North America to help take care of him.

Also returning to the ice at the optional skate was Valeri Nichushkin, who has missed the last two games due to illness.

Stay tuned to Colorado Hockey Now for more updates on all things Avalanche.