Zednik skates with Panthers

Mar 21, 2008 - 6:48 PM SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- Richard Zednik skated with his Florida Panthers teammates on Wednesday for the first time since having his carotid artery nearly severed during a game last month.

Zednik was at BankAtlantic Center to take part in the team photo and stuck around afterward to take part in some light on-ice work with teammates.

"I didn't want to leave," Zednik told the Miami Herald. "I said, 'I'm going to stay.' I can't wait until when I can go on the ice and shoot some pucks. It was great. It felt like it's time to go back."

While the 32-year-old is cleary motivated to start playing again, his doctor has not cleared him to take part in any activity beyond walking on a treadmill, according to the Herald.

Zednik said he is "bored" and hopes to start doing some light cardiovascular work by next week.

The Panthers have seven regular season games remaining and are three points behind Philadelphia for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Zednik is not expected to play again this season, though there has been speculation that he could return for the postseason, if Florida gets there.

Zednik spent six days in Buffalo General Hospital after suffering an arterial laceration on February 10, when he was cut by the skate blade of teammate Olli Jokinen in the third period of the Panthers' 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Zednik, who lost five pints of blood, had to undergo emergency surgery to repair the damaged carotid artery.

Prior to the injury, Zednik had recorded 15 goals, 11 assists and 43 penalty minutes in 54 games this season.