Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) looked great in practice on Sunday. It has been more than a year since he last laced up the skates in an NHL game but coach Mike Yeo said that Bouchard looked terrific. He also said that Bouchard was not shying away from contact. While Bouchard will always be a huge injury risk, he is worth selecting late in deep pools.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard said he is "pretty much symptom-free" and says he is targeting Minnesota's first game of the season for his return from a concussion. Bouchard is slated to talk with the Wild doctors, trainers and GM Chuck Fletcher this week to plan what happens at training camp. He still needs to be cleared for contact before he can fully participate though. "My guess is training camp will be my last test," Bouchard said. "It'll be intense, I'll be able to get into physical stuff, game-like situations, but I still don't know."

Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) has still not been cleared to play by the Wild's training staff. Bouchard is expecting to get cleared this week and should line up on the third line this season. He should get some power play time on the point as well but Bouchard has been prone to concussions in the past and should be considered a big injury risk in fantasy pools this season.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has gotten to the point where he's "pretty much symptom free." Bouchard is in the final season of his five-year, $20.4 million contract with the Minnesota Wild. If the lockout ends in time, he'll attempt to make a comeback before that deal expires. He only played in 97 games between 2009-10 and 2011-12.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard reported that he feels about 95 percent now, as he continues to work his way back from post-concussion syndrome. "I'm pretty close to being able to do a little more," he said. "I want to make sure this one is 110 percent. The good thing is I'm able to work out at a good pace and skate at a good pace. Right now it's just a question of just being able to get rid of just those little symptoms that come back once in awhile." Bouchard was expected to visit with Wild trainer Don Fuller on Wednesday and participate in another workout since he was not cleared to play at the season-ending physical. If he isn't cleared when the NHL scheduled is supposed to begin, on Oct. 11, then he is entitled to his $4.3 million salary.

The Wild are very optimistic that Pierre-Marc Bouchard will be healthy and ready to go once training camp starts in September. The talented playmaker missed the team's last 41 games due to post-concussion syndrome and has battled concussion issues for the last three seasons. That said, Bouchard appears to be doing well and Minnesota GM is hopeful the forward will be able to contribute to the Wild next season. "We're counting on him," said general manager Chuck Fletcher. "I mean, there are no guarantees, but he's made improvement. I'm just guessing, but he's in a way better place than where he was with his previous injury. And our expectation is he'll be healthy and able to contribute to our team next year." Bouchard may also be motivated to perform if he is healthy as he is entering his free agent year. Keep an eye on Bouchard to see if he is healthy. If so, he could be a nice late-round sleeper.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) is reportedly improving. Bouchard's season ended on Jan. 4. He had nine goals and 22 points in 37 games with the Wild. GM Chuck Fletcher has decided against asking for weekly updates, but he does plan to touch base with Bouchard in a week or so.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard is still experiencing concussion-like symptoms. "Pressure to my head. My vision is a little off," Bouchard said, describing his symptoms. "I'm trying to stay positive because I don't feel as bad as I did in my first one -- that big one (March 25, 2009), but they're all different. I still have symptoms, so it's tough." Bouchard went through a period where he only played in one game over the course of 20 months because of a concussion. He has been out for 14 contests this time around and it doesn't sound like he'll return anytime soon.

GM Chuck Fletcher is not expecting Guillaume Latendresse or Pierre-Marc Bouchard to return to action this season. Both players are out with concussions and while they could return, it's best for Fletcher just to move on for the remainder of the season. "I'm operating under the assumption that it'll be a bonus if Bouchard and Latendresse play for us," Fletcher said. "I have to manage from a worst-case-scenario perspective. That's how we'll operate. It's tough to predict time in either case, and we have to move on and do the best we can."

Pierre-Marc Bouchard was activated from the IL on Saturday January 28.