Orange County Register

The Ducks would have recognized the return of former defenseman Kent Huskins on Sunday.

The club usually does a video tribute for returning former players, especially ones that helped them win the Stanley Cup like Huskins did in 2007.

But Huskins (below, left) has not yet returned from an injured broken foot and did not accompany the Sharks to Anaheim.

San Jose coach Todd McLellan said that Huskins has worked hard over the past two weeks to get his skating and conditioning levels back and could return at some point. The Sharks have three games remaining in the regular season.

“We’d really like to get him in,” McLellan said. “That’s Mother Nature, and Kent has to agree with that. If he doesn’t, we still think he’s an asset we can use down the road.”

The Ducks traded Huskins and Travis Moen to San Jose on March 4 for prospects Nick Bonino, Timo Pielmeier and a conditional fourth-round draft pick.

Huskins has not played since Dec. 31. He suffered the injury Dec.19, played with it for three games and was set back by surgery Jan. 23 to repair the bone.

Even if Huskins becomes available, San Jose might not have room for him in the lineup. But the club would like to get him ready, as he would provide depth in the postseason.

Is there a certain risk involved in bringing him back after all this time missed?

“The risk is that he makes mistakes, but we’re prepared to live with that,” McLellan said. “We have to get him back into a game situation, preferrably before playoffs so he can experience it.”

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