Steve Yzerman returns to practice as Detroit Red Wings struggle

 DETROIT (AP) -- Steve Yzerman is back at practice, and maybe that's a good sign for the slumping Red Wings.

 "I feel I'm still going in the right direction and getting much closer," he said. "I'll skate for a few days and at some point here I'll figure out when I'm actually going to play."

 Yzerman had knee surgery last summer. This month, he is planning to play for the first time this season.

 He returned to practice after a 10-day break. Yzerman participated in all of the drills Sunday, including some contact, courtesy of teammate Kris Draper, coach Dave Lewis said.

 The Red Wings are winless in their last six games (0-4-2) and have won just once in their last nine games (1-5-2-1).

 "As soon as I'm confident that I can play and not play one game and sit out for three weeks, I'm going to play," Yzerman said. "It's just that the regular season is quickly coming to an end and I want to get playing as soon as possible."