"It's better," Hanzal said. "I wasn't expecting to be hurt before training camp starts, but it happens. Today was the first day I was skating with the guys, so it is great. Making progress and I should be ready soon."
Hanzal, who signed with the Stars as a free agent in the offseason, injured the ankle while skating with his teammates in Frisco before camp. He's been skating on his own recently, so joining the group Saturday is a step forward. The next step will be to get into a preseason game.
"Going to take it day by day, see how it is the next day and how it will react," Hanzal said. "I would like to play in a couple of preseason games or at least one, so I can get up to game speed again."
Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said he is pleased with Hanzal's progress and is confident the center will be ready when the Stars open the regular season Oct. 6 vs. Vegas.
"I think our focus is the final preseason game and anything before that is a bonus," Hitchcock said. "We're pretty confident now with the way things are going that he is going to be up to speed well in advance, which is a great sign for us."
As for Saturday night's game in St. Louis, Kari Lehtonen will get the start in goal and is expected to go the distance. Mike McKenna will serve as the backup.
