Bolts notes: Hedman aiming for Tuesday return

The sight of red jerseys roaming the ice Tuesday morning signaled a positive warning sign.

Defenseman Victor Hedman, out since sustaining a concussion on Dec. 27, wore a red non-contact jersey and took part in the full morning practice before Tuesday night's game against Columbus.

The 21-year-old resumed full workouts over the weekend, both on and off the ice, and he continues to show no symptoms. Though he has yet to be cleared for contact — hence the red practice jersey — there is a chance Hedman could return to the lineup after the All-Star break, against Washington next Tuesday.

"I hope so, I want to play games," Hedman said. "Being off the ice is the worst thing. I'm just trying to get back, and whether that is Tuesday or a couple of games after that, I don't know. But my goal is to play in the next game."

Hedman is one of nine players out of the lineup because of injuries, but he could be one of four ready to return next week. Lightning coach Guy Boucher said RW Ryan Shannon, out since Dec. 21 with a knee injury, will be ready, and C Tom Pyatt (lower body) and LW Ryan Malone (upper body) should be, as well.

Hedman's return would be a big boost. A top-two defenseman and main penalty killer, he was second on the team in average ice time when he was injured. Just seeing him on the ice was a morale booster.

"He's been doing very, very well, and after all the time we've been waiting for him, it's really nice to see him doing well and everything he's been doing, no setbacks, so that's good," Boucher said.

The biggest issue for Hedman is getting his conditioning back after nearly a month of almost no physical activity.

About those injuries

The news wasn't all good on the injury front as Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman announced that RW Dana Tyrell will have reconstructive surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in his right knee.

His recovery is expected to take up to six months, but he is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in September. It's the same knee Tyrell needed surgically repaired in 2009.

The injury occurred Jan. 15 against Pittsburgh when Tyrell's foot was caught under a Penguins player and his leg was twisted.

Finally, a game

After logging more than 12,000 air miles since Dec. 6, shuttling from Tampa Bay's minor-league affiliate in Norfolk, Va., D Evan Oberg finally made his Lightning debut Tuesday.

"I've just been waiting for my shot,"' Oberg said. "There are going to be some nerves … but it's not my first hockey game. As long as I keep things simple and have fun out there."

Oberg's family is in Mexico this week for his sister's wedding, but "I'm sure they will be watching on a laptop,'' he said.

Nuts and Bolts

C Mike Angelidis made his NHL debut and became the fifth player in team history to record a goal in his first game. … Lightning head equipment manager Ray Thill was selected to serve as the visiting team's manager for this weekend's All-Star Game in Ottawa. Thill will be joined by Lightning assistant equipment managers Rob Kennedy and Clay Roffer.