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Kyle Turris talks Coyotes return, contract negotiations

Kyle Turris

Phoenix center Kyle Turris, who signed a two-year, $2.8-million deal with the Coyotes this week, skated with teammates on Friday morning for the first time.

Dave Vest of Coyotes.com caught up with Turris following the skate for a quick Q&A. Some highlights:

Q: Can you talk about where you are in terms of conditioning and how long do you think it’s going to take for you to get back in the lineup for the Coyotes?

Turris: “I feel pretty good right now. I did all my tests yesterday (and) the day before yesterday. I feel really good. I’ve been skating everyday, I’ve been in the gym every morning and I feel like I’m in really good shape.”

Q: There were some, if you want to call it, harsh words, the fast few months on both sides. Is something like that just the business side of this?

Turris: “Yeah, like you said, it’s just the business side of things. I don’t think I really said anything. But like you said, it’s business, (and I’m) just getting back on the ice and getting comfortable again.”

Q: The prospect of not playing (this season), how did that set with you, beyond the business? It’s what you’ve been doing your entire life. You get up, you put skates on, you go to the rink, you play. But you weren’t, how hard was that?

Turris: “Definitely. I always want to be on the ice playing. The hour and a half, getting on the ice myself was definitely a relaxer for me and getting comfortable, but like I said, I’m comfortable getting back on the ice here and I’m looking forward to today and starting soon.”

My inner conspiracy theorist notes that while Turris said he was excited to play hockey again, he didn’t say he was excited to play for the Coyotes again. (Plus, the first question asked specifically when he’d be back in the Coyotes lineup...and he didn’t address it.)

That said, my inner realist knows a trade is sounding less and less likely. The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch touched on that in his “Turris off Sens’ radar” piece:

“I don’t think he’s going anywhere. Hard to give up on a No. 3 pick for any organization,” said a league executive Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

“Maybe before the trade deadline, but he’s going to have to play some games and contribute so teams are able to find out where he’s at.

“This wasn’t a well-thought-out plan by Turris and his camp.”

Turris will continue to skate with teammates for a few days and then report to the team’s American Hockey League affiliate for a conditioning assignment.