Super Tuesday: Lemieux Set To Practice
Mario Lemieux plans to return to practice Tuesday and could possibly begin his comeback with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 27 against Toronto.
The 35-year-old Lemieux, the team's owner and a Hall of Famer, has been working out privately for six weeks and skating on his own since late November.
The Penguins leave Wednesday to play Florida and Tampa Bay on a two-game, two-night road trip. Lemieux is not expected to play in either game.
He has not played since a playoff series against Philadelphia in 1997.
He could return to the lineup during a four-game homestand that begins Dec. 27 against the Maple Leafs, but he has not set a definitive date.
"The sooner, the better," Lemieux said. "When I do come back, I'll be ready to play at a high level. I have no doubt in my mind I can do that."
Lemieux's nameplate already been placed above his old locker-room stall at the Penguins' practice rink.
The six-time NHL scoring champion unexpectedly announced his comeback Dec. 8, saying he felt the Penguins were close to being Stanley Cup contenders.
©2000 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed