Raffi Torres has served a 41-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Anaheim's Jakob Silverberg in a preseason game. However, Torres is still recovering from Dec. 11 surgery on his right knee and is not likely to return Thursday night against

Torres has served a 41-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Anaheim's Jakob Silverberg in a preseason game. However, Torres is still recovering from Dec. 11 surgery on his right knee and is not likely to return Thursday night against the Oilers, Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Analysis:

As noted in the report, Torres will require additional practice time before he'll rejoin the lineup. He was able to take some contact in a practice last Friday but apparently needs more time to recover. "It's been feeling a little nicer every day," Torres said Friday. "Just have to battle through it and see how it reacts."