NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 29: Jack Eichel #15 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 29, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. The Sabres defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime.

Eichel returns to Sabres practice

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Buffalo Sabres welcomed back a familiar face Tuesday morning, as Jack Eichel returned to practice for the first time in nearly a month.

Jack is back - practicing with the team at @HARBORCTR this morning 👍 #Sabres pic.twitter.com/Npzz9qKFMQ
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 13, 2018

Eichel has been out since Feb. 10 with a high-ankle sprain, but it appears he's nearing a return. He resumed skating March 4.

With the Sabres sitting second-last in the NHL and battling Arizona and Vancouver for the best draft lottery odds to select Rasmus Dahlin, they likely want to take their time in bringing back their leading scorer.