Read could be back sooner than expected

Read, 26, was originally projected to be out for 6 weeks with torn rib cage muscles, suffered in back-to-back hits on Feb. 20 in Pittsburgh. Instead, Read said he could be back “as soon as this weekend.” He skated in a full, hour-long practice on Monday -wearing a regular, white practice jersey - and participated in cycling drills with passing and shooting. Last week, he was limited to just skating and little puck movement. He took the weekend off from skating and felt better on Monday. “I think I’ve healed pretty quickly, but I’m still in a lot of pain,” Read said after practice. “Maybe that last part, going from 80 percent to 100 percent healthy will take a while.”