Wild's Coyle takes part in morning skate

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle, out since Oct. 5 with a sprained knee, took part in his first morning skate since the injury Thursday as the Wild prepared for their game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Xcel Energy Center.

Wild coach Mike Yeo said Coyle skating with the team Thursday was another positive step in Coyle's rehabilitation of the injury sustained against the Anaheim Ducks in Minnesota's second game of the season.

"It's a good first step. I don't think he's too far away," Yeo said. "We've held our head above water with him out, but we haven't exactly dominated this last little stretch. But that's a big loss for us and we're anxious to get him back."

Coyle will not play Thursday, and Yeo said he'll need to see Coyle take part in a couple of practices before putting him back into a game situation. With no setbacks that could still be a week or two away.

"He's going up and down the ice right now but there's no battle," Yeo said.

Coyle skated for the first time this week and it was announced Wednesday that he would skate with the team Thursday morning. He said gaining confidence in the knee will be his biggest challenge as he continues to get closer to playing in games again.

"Not worrying about the injury, that's why I want to be 100 percent when I get back out there," Coyle said. "I can take my mind off it and focus on the game and helping my team win."