Steven Stamkos nears his return and more in this week’s IR Report.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Dougie Hamilton (Concussion) will not be traveling to Dallas or Chicago.

Matt D'Agostini (upper body) will be out a little while; according to Buffalo Sabres head coach Ted Nolan.

Drayson Bowman (lower body), Cam Ward (lower body) and Pat Dwyer (lower body) did not practice with the team and should be considered day-to-day.

Blake Comeau (knee) is out four to six weeks with a sprained knee.

Daniel Alfredsson (back) and Darren Helm (groin) are out for Thursday's  game and should still be considered day-to-day.

Pavel Datsyuk (groin) has been placed on short term IR.

Jonas Gustavsson (groin) practiced on Thursday and is hoping to return Saturday.

Jonathan Ericsson (ribs) practiced on Thursday and is looking to return next week.

Johan Franzen (concussion) is still experiencing dizziness and felt "so-so" at practice on Tuesday.

David Desharnais (flu) was on the ice at practice Thursday and is a game-time decision.

Davis Drewiske (shoulder) has been skating on his own but hasn't practiced with team yet.

Damien Brunner (knee) resumed skating on Wednesday and could join the team next week.

Travis Hamonic (upper body) has returned to Long Island to have injury evaluated.

Evgeni Nabokov (leg) was on the ice with Lubomir Visnovsky (concussion) on Tuesday as they are both getting close to returning.

Zac Rinaldo (ankle) was placed on IR on January 10.

Erik Gustafsson (knee) attended optional skate on Wednesday.

Brian Gibbons (lower body) was placed on IR on Thursday.

James Neal (upper body) wasn't in the warm-ups Wednesday against the Washington Capitals after taking part in the morning skate

Joe Vitale (wrist) is out indefinitely.

Pascal Dupuis (knee) needs surgery to repair torn ACL, but doesn't have a surgery date yet.

Paul Martin  (lower body) must be getting close to a return as the Pittsburgh Penguins sent Simon Despres back to the AHL.

Beau Bennett (wrist) is out until the Olympic break.

Nate Thompson (flu) and Sami Salo (ankle) took part in morning skate on Thursday.

Steven Stamkos (leg) takes part in morning skate for first time since injury.

Keith Aulie (hand) has yet to be cleared medically as he is almost at the six-week mark since breaking his hand. He did skate in a normal jersey at the morning skate on Monday.

Dave Bolland (ankle) skated in full gear on Wednesday.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Jonas Hiller (illness) missed Wednesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks with an illness and is questionable for Friday.

Bryan Allen (foot) and Luca Sbisa (hand) are both close to returning but neither played Wednesday night.

Sheldon Souray (wrist) is still a ways away as wrist surgery recovery not going as well as he would like.

Michael Cammalleri (concussion) told Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley that he feels slightly better.

Cory Sarich (back) requires an MRI for his back injury.

Paul Stastny (leg) will probably play Saturday against the Nashville Predators.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere (back) is out indefinitely with back spasms.

Nate Guenin (ankle) will miss another seven to 10 days; according to Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy.

P.A. Parenteau (knee) is healing quickly and will return either this week or next.

Alex Tanguay (hip) was at morning skate and should resume full practice with team on Friday.

Stephane Robidas (leg) began skating on Wednesday.

Jesse Joensuu (flu) is day-to-day with the flu.

Matt Greene (concussion) being evaluated after showing concussion symptoms and not going on road trip.

Mikko Koivu (ankle) is expected to miss four weeks after undergoing ankle surgery.

Josh Harding (illness) practiced on Wednesday.

Jared Spurgeon (foot) is close to being able to resume skating.

Zach Parise (foot) took part in full practice on Wednesday, however he was wearing a non-contact jersey.

Pekka Rinne (hip) cleared to ramp up his exercises and Nashville Predators GM David Poile expects him to return at some point this season.

Maxim Lapierre (lower body) was placed on IR on Tuesday.

Alexander Steen (concussion) took part in optional morning skate on Thursday.

Roberto Luongo (ankle) is getting close to return, but won't dress as back-up for game against the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday.

Alex Burrows (mouth) is hoping to return Saturday but has not yet been given clearance to play.

Evander Kane (hand) was placed on IR on Thursday.

Matt Halischuk (wrist) and Jim Slater (groin) are skating but no date for return for either player yet.