Nazem Kadri making progress following thumb surgery, skated again on Thursday (w/video)

Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri was back on the ice at Ball Arena on Thursday as he recovers from thumb surgery, which he had on June 6th.

Kadri was hit from behind early in the first period of Game 3 in the Western Conference Final by Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane. Kane received a five-minute major for boarding on the play, but was not assessed a game misconduct. Kadri left the game and did not return, undergoing the surgery only a couple days later. The next day, the NHL's Department of Player Safety suspended Kane for one game.

The 31-year-old didn't skate with his stick on Wednesday morning, but did on Thursday and did some light puck handling as TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported.

The London (Ontario) native had the best season of his career during the 2021-22 campaign, raking up 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 games. In the playoffs, Kadri has added fourteen points in thirteen games.

It's still unclear if Kadri will return to the Avalanche lineup in the Stanley Cup Final. Following his surgery, head coach Jared Bednar said that Kadri is likely done for the playoffs, but isn't officially ruled out. The fact that he is doing puck handling just over a week after having surgery is pretty remarkable and it wouldn't be entirely shocking if he does return at some point later in the series.

Colorado took Game 1 in overtime on Wednesday night courtesy of Andre Burakovsky. Game 2 is set for Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. local.

Kadri on the ice again today, this time with a stick and doing some light puck handling. pic.twitter.com/m0kVeR6UML— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) June 16, 2022

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