SAN JOSE — It seems all that stands between Tomas Hertl and a return to the Sharks’ lineup are a few more contract practices to test out his once sprained right knee.

Hertl, now cleared to take contact on the ice, looked to be at full speed for Saturday’s morning skate as the Sharks’ practice facility.

“I think it’s almost day-to-day now,” Hertl said. “… I think I’m pretty close but we’ll see how it goes the next couple days. I believe it’ll be playing soon now.”

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Sharks reach agreement with depth centerman on two-year deal There’s a chance Hertl could play next week, as the Sharks play in Denver on Monday and in Winnipeg on Tuesday. They return home to face the Oilers on Thursday before the start of the NHL all-star break.

Hertl worked with and took some contact from Sharks assistant coach Steve Spott, forward Barclay Goodrow and defenseman Tim Heed later Saturday morning after the bulk of the team left the ice.

“Looks great. I don’t know if that’s a testament to our group or his progress, but he looked fantastic out there,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said. “He’s getting very close. We’re starting to talk about him on a daily basis, which is a good sign.”

Hertl, it appears, will still need at least one full contract practice with his teammates before he’s cleared to play.

The Sharks are scheduled to practice Sunday before they leave for Denver to play Colorado on Monday night. That’ll be their last practice before the break, with their next practice after the weekend scheduled for Jan. 30.

Hertl also took part in some battle drills on Friday when the Sharks held an optional skate and said his knee felt fine.

“Spotter gave me a hard time. It’s even harder in a game,” Hertl said. “But it’s fine because I really need it.”

Hertl said his conditioning is improving, and is skating harder now than he did during the summer after he hurt the same knee in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Sharks are 19-8-2 without Hertl, who was injured Nov. 17 against the St. Louis Blues.

“It’s tough watching all the time,” Hertl said, “but I want to be healthy and help the guys.”