Ben Lovejoy (upper body) skated with the team at practice in a non-contact jersey Thursday, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

Lovejoy (upper body) skated with the team at practice in a non-contact jersey Thursday, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

Analysis:

Getting on the ice is a good sign for Lovejoy, who has missed nine games in a row, yet he remains without a definitive timetable for returning to action. The Penguins' blue line is already crowded, so it's unclear whether the veteran would be able to crack the lineup even when healthy. He offers little in terms of fantasy value, having notched only nine points in 57 outings. However, his leadership on and off the ice is why Pittsburgh made the trade to get Lovejoy back last season.