Kesler Back Skating with Canucks

Injured Canucks centre Ryan Kesler skated for the first time with his teammates on Sunday and will travel with the club on its upcoming two-game road trip.

Kesler, who’s been out since offseason shoulder and wrist surgeries, cautioned that he’s not close to playing but admitted Sunday’s practice was clearly a step in the right direction.

“It’s been an extremely long, hard road for me,” said Kesler. “It felt good to be back out there. My goal was to get back out there with the guys. I still have a fair ways to go.”

Roberto Luongo will start again on Monday, after stopping 27 shots in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Chicago. It’s the fourth start in a row for Luongo.

Mike Gillis and Laurence Gilman fired up the rumour mill on Sunday, when both appeared in Washington to watch the Capitals hosting the Penguins.

Canucks visit Edmonton on Monday night (TEAM1040 has the call at 6:30), followed by a road game in Minnesota on Thursday.