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Blues defenseman Philip Broberg has resumed skating and is ahead of schedule in his return from a lower-body injury suffered on Nov. 2 against the Maple Leafs, coach Drew Bannister said after practice on Wednesday. Broberg is about 2½ weeks into a projected four- to six-week timetable announced by the Blues at the time of the injury.

“Broby’s been really good,� Bannister said. “He’s been on the ice. He’s had a couple skates on his own. I don’t think there’s any timetable right now, but he is probably ahead of where we thought he would be.�

If Broberg comes back four weeks after the injury, that could mean he would be available for a western Canadian road trip that includes a stop in Edmonton, where Broberg used to play before signing an offer sheet over the summer to play for the Blues.

Broberg was injured against Toronto when Mitch Marner fell on his right knee during a collision along the boards in the corner. Broberg needed help getting off the ice and was seen around Enterprise Center in the days after that on crutches. After Tuesday’s game vs. Minnesota, Broberg was no longer using crutches.

So far, Broberg has missed eight games, and the Blues have gone 2-5-1. St. Louis has used multiple players in Broberg’s spot on the second pair with Justin Faulk, including Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Scott Perunovich and, briefly, Corey Schueneman. Faulk, meanwhile, does not have a point since Broberg exited the lineup and was a minus-3 during Tuesday’s loss against the Wild.

The Blues just got forward Robert Thomas back from a fractured ankle on Tuesday, his first game since Oct. 22. Initially given a six-week timeline until he was reevaluated, Thomas was back in the lineup just four weeks later after missing 12 games.

Joseph practiced with the Blues on Wednesday morning, skating with Schueneman on the third pairing. Joseph has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury suffered Thursday in Buffalo but also was on the ice for St. Louis’ morning skate on Tuesday.

“I think he’s getting pretty close,� Bannister said of Joseph. “I wouldn’t say that he’s going to play (Thursday vs. San Jose), but I think he’s pretty close.�

Leddy has not skated with the team in more than three weeks due to a lower-body injury and has not played since the home opener on Oct. 15. He’s missed the past 16 games, and the 17th figures to be when the Blues play the Sharks on Thursday night.

Initially labeled as day-to-day, Leddy has been skating on his own, Bannister said. Is surgery an option at this point?

“That’s something I couldn’t answer for you,� Bannister said. “I’d be lying to you if I told you one way or the other. He’s been skating. I think it’s more of him getting on the ice and getting his confidence up and his strength up right now.�

Both captain Brayden Schenn and Faulk missed practice on Wednesday morning as they took “maintenance days,� Bannister said. Asked if they would play against San Jose, Bannister said, “I hope so. It’s a maintenance day, I would imagine they’ll be ready for (Thursday).�

Without Schenn available, Oskar Sundqvist filled in on a line between Brandon Saad and Jake Neighbours during practice.

Limited ice time

Forward Dylan Holloway played just 9:23 of ice time vs. Minnesota, his lowest usage of the season, not including his abbreviated game vs. Tampa Bay when he was stretchered off the ice after getting hit in the neck by a puck.

Linemates Zack Bolduc (8:30) and Alexandre Texier (9:18) played even less than Holloway.

“Holly hasn’t played a lot of center, and I think he’s trying to find his stride there,� Bannister said. “Communication goes a long ways when you have three players that haven’t played a lot together and you have one player that hasn’t played that position a lot at this area. I think he’s got an opportunity to really take that job and run.�

On Wednesday, Holloway was centering Bolduc and Mathieu Joseph at practice. Texier skated as an extra forward.