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Brad Stuart News
Stuart (hamstring) returns to the Avalanche lineup on Thursday.

Stuart has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since November 4th, but will return to the lineup tonight in Pittsburgh. He has yet to record a point and carries a minus-4 rating through 19 games this season. Tonight will be his 1,000th career NHL game.

Brad Stuart
Stuart (hamstring) was a full participant in Avs’ practice on Friday.

Stuart has been out since November 4th with a hamstring injury, but today was the first time he has taken part in a full practice since suffering the injury. He will likely have to take part in a few practices to get back up to speed before returning to the lineup.

Brad Stuart
Stuart will be out a “couple of weeks” with a hamstring injury.

Stuart suffered a hamstring injury in the Avalanche loss to the Canucks last night. With Stuart out, Zach Redmond will slide back into the lineup and likely be paired with Nick Holden.

Brad Stuart
The Avalanche signed Brad Stuart to a two-year, $7.2 million contract extension.

Stuart was acquired from the Sharks on July 1st after two seasons in San Jose. The 34-year-old defenseman had 11 points (3G / 8A) in 61 games last season. The contract keeps his cap-hit at $3.6 million through the 2016-17 season.

Brad Stuart
The Avalanche have acquired Brad Stuart from the Sharks for second and sixth round draft picks.

Stuart, 34, had just 11 points (3G / 8A) in 61 games with the Sharks last season. His offence is not where it used to be, but he brings a stable and physical game to the Avalanche's blueline.

Brad Stuart
Stuart (upper-body) returned to the Sharks lineup on Monday.

Stuart played 19 minutes and 57 seconds, including a game high three minutes and four seconds on the penalty kill. He was credited with two hits and one blocked shot. It was his first game since February 7th and head coach Todd McLellan viewed it as a success. “I thought he played well. He had some jump in his stride,” McLellan said. “The conditioning part of it looks really good. The rust part of it is going to come, but he was better than I thought he would be. That’s a real positive thing for us.”

Brad Stuart
Stuart (upper-body) skated with the Sharks this morning.

This was Stuart's first full practice since suffering an upper-body injury in early February. His return to the ice does not mean that he is ready to return to the lineup, but is a step in the right direction. The Sharks are red-hot right now so there is no reason for them to rush him back.

Brad Stuart
Stuart (upper-body) will not travel on the Sharks' upcoming road trip.

Stuart suffered an upper body injury in the Sharks’ final game before the Olympic break on Feb. 7 against Columbus, and has not practiced the past two days. He skated on his own on Monday morning. Head coach Todd McLellan danced around an inquiry as to whether Stuart’s ailment was short term or long term. “Any type of games missed for us, it feels like long term now, because he’s had the two weeks to heal,” McLellan said. “But, he won’t get through this road trip. After that, we’ll see where he is when we get back.”

Brad Stuart
The Sharks will get Stuart back from his three game suspension tomorrow. He will play in Boyle's place with Irwin vs. Dallas.

Stuart played 17:04 and registered a plus-1 rating in his only game with San Jose this season. Seeing top-pair minutes on a dominant Sharks team should help his fantasy value until Boyle returns.

Brad Stuart
Brad Stuart (lower-body) will return to the Sharks blueline tonight.

Stuart will make his season debut tonight, at home against the Rangers. He will replace Scott Hannan and be paired with Jason Demers. Stuart posted the worst offensive statistics of his career in 2012-13 (0 G / 6 A). He will look to bounce back this season on a Sharks team that will produce offensively.

Brad Stuart
TRADE: The rights to defenseman Brad Stuart have been traded to San Jose for Andrew Murray and a conditional pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.

We knew this one was coming for a while as Stuart wanted to return back out West. Stuart shouldn't have any more value with the Sharks than he did with the Wings.

Brad Stuart