Darren McCarty (groin) was back at practice this morning in Raleigh, N.C. -- the first time that he worked out with the Red Wings since late in the preseason. This green light from the medical staff means that he's one green light away from returning to game action. McCarty said that he didn't go all out and that everything felt fine after his first on-ice test.

"It's nice to be back on the ice with the guys," said McCarty. "Obviously, I can still feel something there (groin strain), but there's progress being made. This is the next step to being back. ... I was happy with some things I did. It was just not try to get everything back in one day. It was just sort of building into it. It was something that you feel it, but it didn't feel like it regressed."