"The Ottawa Senators have had so little good news lately that Monday brought some optimism when Jason Spezza practised with the team.

Out since Dec. 26 with a right shoulder injury, Spezza has been skating on his own for the past week.

But on Monday, after doing a number of sprint drills with goalie coach Rick Wamsley, he stayed to practise with the team.

Coach Cory Clouston said he expects Spezza to return after the all-star break, but didn't know exactly when. Ottawa's first game after the break is on Feb. 1 in New Jersey.

Spezza said he's feeling better by the day. "It definitely felt good to get out with the guys and be a part of things a little bit," he said. "Hopefully, it will keep improving. Still can't take contact, still limited, but it's nice just to get my legs going."

He said it has been painful to watch his teammates go through this slump. They've won just once in the 12 games he has missed. "You feel for the guys," he said. "You want to get out and help. I know ... how badly everybody wants to be doing better."

Meanwhile, goalie Pascal Leclaire also was on the ice to do some exercises designed to help him overcome his lower-body injury. The team hopes he'll return at some point after the break.

Left-winger Jarkko Ruutu's lower-body injury will keep him out for a couple of weeks, Clouston said."