Kyle Quincey-1.jpg

Kyle Quincey (right) has been sidelined since Oct. 23 and has played seven games this season.

(Brendan Savage | MLive.com)

NEWARK, N.J. - Team doctors and coach Jeff Blashill will ultimately decide when Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey returns to the lineup after being sidelined more than two months with an ankle injury that required surgery.

But Quincey says he's ready now.

Quincey won't play when the Red Wings visit the New Jersey on Monday in the second of six straight games on the road but Blashill expects him to be back on the ice sometime during a four-game western swing that begins Thursday in San Jose.

As far as Quincey is concerned, San Jose sounds like a good spot to make his return.

"On the road trip, hopefully that first one," Quincey said Sunday when asked if he's targeting a game for his return. "Hopefully get out and help the boys.

"It feels good, feels strong. Still getting better every day so I'm looking forward to it."

Quincey was originally sidelined Oct. 23, when he had to go through concussion protocol after being hit in the head by Calgary's Sam Bennett.

While he was dealing with that issue, the Red Wings determined that he would need surgery on his right ankle, which had been bothering him since training camp.

He underwent surgery Nov. 14 after having surgery on his other ankle in May. That procedure was to remove bone spurs but that wasn't Quincey's problem this season.

At the time of the surgery, the Red Wings said Quincey would be sidelined 8-12 weeks so if he returns this week, it would be ahead of schedule. That was part of Quincey's plan.

"I truly believe that the surgeon is always ... going to shade on the side of caution and he's going to say a number that's safe," said Quincey, who skated in practice Sunday at the Prudential Center. "My goal is to push the workouts, push the rehab to make that number smaller. So that's what I've done and I'm looking forward to getting back ahead of schedule.

"Last time there was no rush. There was no rush at all. The rehab was totally different last time. This year was pushing through pain and pushing through everything to get back as fast as I can.

"It was different but at the same time very similar."

Quincey, who started skating Dec. 13, has appeared in seven games this season. He has one goal, one assist, a plus-1 rating and no penalty minutes.

Last season, he was one of the Red Wings' top defensemen. In 73 games, he had three goals, 15 assists and a plus-10 rating that was second to Danny DeKeyser's plus-11 among Red Wings defensemen.

Quincey said the only hurdle that remains for him to return is actually suiting up in a game.

"It's the game stuff, which you can't practice," he said. "That's going to be the hurdle."

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