DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said center Darren Helm might start skating by the end of the week, or early next week.

“We still expect he's going to be ready in the first round of the playoffs; not Game 1, but anytime from Game 2 on,'' Holland said. “He's done pretty good healing the last nine days.''

Helm suffered a sprained left medial collateral ligament March 17 in San Jose, when he checked Dominic Moore.

The team said he would be out four-to-six weeks. Game 1 of the playoffs is April 11 or 12.

“This is the longest I've ever had to sit out. I've usually gotten back pretty quick from injuries,'' Helm said on Friday. “This time we're going to put a little more effort into making sure I get back quicker.''

But they're not going to rush him back.

“We know how significant this injury can be if you (re-injure) it and be out even longer,'' Helm said. “We're going to try push it so I can get back quicker, but not going to rush it too much.''

Helm said on Friday the knee is stiff, lacking range of motion.

“You can feel it getting tight when it gets past the point of being comfortable,'' he said.

Nothing new with Eaves

Forward Patrick Eaves continues to skate lightly on his own but still is experiencing concussion-like symptoms.

The club counted him out for the playoffs long ago.

“He's feeling better all the time, but you want to feel better for a long time,'' Holland said. “The Stanley Cup playoffs is no time for a comeback.''

Eaves suffered a broken jaw when he was hit by a shot on Nov. 26.

Contract talks on hold

Holland has tabled all contract talks until after the playoffs. He said he hasn't had any talks with anybody lately.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, Brad Stuart, Jiri Hudler and Ty Conklin will be unrestricted free agents. Helm, Justin Abdelkader and Kyle Quincey are restricted free agents.