What happened: Brock Faber took the ice for practice Friday, marking his first session back with the group. He addressed reporters afterward to assess his conditioning and ongoing transition back into team drills.

Why it matters: Regaining a premier defenseman provides a substantial boost to the blue line during a demanding regular-season stretch. The team maintained a winning pace during the absence, allowing the coaching staff patience with his ramp-up.

What to watch: Monitor Faber's practice workload and contact clearance ahead of his return to game action.