TORONTO - Defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Zbynek Michalek joined the Blues for a part of the team’s practice Friday at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Shattenkirk has been out of the lineup since sustaining an abdominal injury on Feb. 1 against the Capitals. A week later, Shattenkirk had surgery and had begun skating on his own recently, but Friday was the first time he was on the ice with the team.

Michalek, who sustained an upper-body injury Feb. 14 with the Arizona Coyotes, skated for the first time. Michalek was acquired by the Blues in a trade with the Coyotes on Monday.

“It’s good to get on the ice again. I haven’t skated for free weeks, so it’s nice to feel like a hockey player again,” Michalek said. “It’s a good day and hopefully the rest of the day goes well for me, too, and I can get back on the ice tomorrow and do more.”

When asked about their status after practice, Blues Head Coach Ken Hitchcock didn’t have a specific date for either players’ return to the lineup.

“We always want to speed up the clock as far as coaching goes,” Hitchcock said. “We’d like them to play tomorrow, if we could.

“Michalek has had a lot of good days lately, so that’s a good sign. Obviously, Shattenkirk is a major player on our team, one of our most important players, and seeing him out there getting closer every day is a good sign.”