Gretzky: ‘I Feel Good’ After First King Drill

Wayne Gretzky was the first player to hit the ice at the Forum on Sunday, skating around with defenseman Paul Coffey about 15 minutes before the Kings’ scheduled workout at noon.

It seemed as if the smile never left his face the entire practice. For Gretzky, the routine drills were anything but tedious. This was his first regular full practice with teammates since he suffered a herniated thoracic disk at training camp in September.

“It’s nice to be back,” Gretzky said. “This is a little tougher than a game-day skate. I started by myself and then with a couple of other players and now this. I feel good. I’m excited and everything is fine.”

Gretzky is talking in terms of returning in a couple of weeks. Coach Barry Melrose said: “He’ll play in January.” Melrose wants Gretzky’s doctors to evaluate him by watching team scrimmages during a light period in the schedule Jan. 3-5.

“He’s in shape to play right now,” Melrose said. “His conditioning is good. As soon as the doctors say he’s ready. . . . He thought he was ready two weeks ago. He’s worked very, very hard.”

Under ideal conditions, Gretzky and the coaches would prefer him to make his return at the Forum. But in two weeks, the Kings will be in the midst of a four-game, nine-day trip to Winnipeg, Chicago, Ottawa and New Jersey.