Greene, in red, not feeling blue

Matt Greene, recovering from mid-July shoulder surgery, took another small-but-positive step Thursday when he completed a full-team practice for the first time. Greene is still in a red, non-contact jersey, and it doesn’t appear as though that status will change any time soon, but after practice today, Greene expressed satisfaction with his progress.

GREENE: “The trainers and doctors say that everything is going along well. They say that I’m on schedule, but I don’t know what the schedule is, so who knows? It’s good to get out, finally, and get a real practice in with the guys and just be around the guys. That’s good too, emotionally and mentally. I think I was going a little bit stir-crazy there, just kind of hanging out by myself for a while, so it’s good to be back out with the team.”

The only estimate given, thus far, has been that Greene would miss the first month of the season. Given that Greene has been on the ice every day, and has been looking strong in skating and shooting drills, it might be natural to think that Greene is ahead of schedule, but everyone is remaining tight-lipped about that possibility. And really, nothing can happen until Greene is cleared for contact.

GREENE: “I have no clue right now. I think it’s just about how this goes. This is kind of the test period, to get out there. Maybe you’ll bump into a guy here or there, but no real full contact yet. We’ll see how that goes, and if that goes well, it’s whatever the trainers say. I don’t want to say a date. It’s just me guessing. They actually know what they’re talking about.”

As for Scott Parse, who has now been out of action for a full week with groin/foot injuries, no news isn’t good news. Coach Terry Murray said Parse’s participation in this weekend’s final preseason games is doubtful.

MURRAY: “I did talk with him yesterday morning. He’s feeling much better. He felt that he would be able to get on the ice soon, but that was the extent of the reply.”

Murray was also asked whether Parse’s status for the start of the regular season might also be in jeopardy, given that he has already missed more than half of training camp. Parse had been slotted for a second-line role with Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams.

MURRAY: “It’s always hard, when you’re off for a considerable length of time in training camp. He came in in good shape. He was ready to go and real excited about the opportunity to play where I had him started in the first few days. It is a step backward, but what we have to do is make the best out of the circumstances and get himself ready. We need him now pushing in the practices, and he will be ready to go again.”