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Jeff Skinner must be feeling better, returns to practice

Eric Staal, Jeff Skinner

Carolina Hurricanes’ Jeff Skinner celebrates his goal with Eric Staal, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP

Concussion recovery is a fickle thing, but Carolina’s Jeff Skinner seems to be doing a bit better.

The Hurricanes heartthrob and former top scorer returned to practice with the team today after going out of action since December 7 against Edmonton. Skinner tells Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer that it was great to get back out on the ice.

“It was pretty good. I haven’t been out there with that many bodies, that much noise, kind of moving around. I wasn’t sure how I was going to react with all that noise, that emotion. It was good.”

Since that December 7 game, the Hurricanes have gone 4-6-0 without Skinner. The Hurricanes weren’t faring much better with him in the lineup, but for a team struggling that bad losing a guy that good is just a kick in the shins. Getting Skinner back to action eventually will help the Hurricanes perhaps not be the worst team in the Eastern Conference.